Not My Dog

Checked out not my dog last night some friends because we heard the live music from the street and wanted to check it out. The place is really small and when you include the band and all their equipment the place is really small, but I will have to say that the drinks were responsibly price and the atmosphere was a lot of fun. I might come back here again.

I came here last night for ‘Dog Days’ and it was beyond amazing. Apart from the delish food (which is only on during Dog Days), Ada Dahli and the Pallbearers were performing — there are obviously no words in the English language to describe how wonderful Ada’s voice is.
The bar itself is a wonderful dive. They’ve got a Pac-​man machine but good luck playing cause there’s always a cat blocking the screen. Kitty’s pretty chill and will accept cuddles. Around 1am, a great Dane also wanders in and steals scraps of food from the remaining plates. There’s polaroids on the roof and a row of books above the piano. It’s a tiny spot and couldn’t accommodate more than twenty people comfortably. Bathrooms are downstairs accessed by narrow rickety stairs.
The charm of this place is definitely the crowd. Super friendly folks. Great spot to make new friends. I felt comfortable in jeans and a beanie.

Hopping in the backseat of the Unilocal station wagon for a second just to say that Not My Dog (which has an unpromising sign font that you should *ignore*!) has a
Bar Cat.
A great dane that strolled in to visit.
A gentle but powerful lady singing old folk/​gospel/​civil rights era tunes on electric acoustic.
Couches in the large back patio.
Bar stools.
Only star revoke is for the limited interior seating and the not-​that-​cheap prices.
I think a cozy neighbourhood bar is essential, so I’ve been hunting once a week, and so far this is the most heartwarming experience since Sept 1.
I’m glad to have it as a temporary cove to come hang out in on a no-​occasion occasion.

Good live music. Nice owners.
Perfect for a late night beer stop…

Ever played Scott Pilgrim the game? This is the kind of store you would enter in to buy your health supplies. Hanging glowing lights, a single tiny counter, a dark and intimate ambiance, and a small main space that could fit on an 4:3 picture in 8 or 16 bit color. And speaking of 8 bit, the small arcade table could never be anymore welcome to add to the coziness and personality of the place. Add to that a custom wall of fame of the highest scores at their games and you’d not want to go out to their patio.
Because they also have a patio. With two couches! They’ll however inevitably be the subject of seat hogging and swapping as people get up and move around. If you’re lucky say hi to both cats if they pass by or steal your spot. If you’re lucky enough to score a slow late night, you can bliss at the calm and silence of the night in the patio, otherwise get ready to meet some regulars there most likely every night. The first time I went there it was very calm and I couldn’t hear a sound from the city or Queen street’s traffic! Quite surreal if you’re into that! Too bad they couldn’t be playing some down-​tempo grooves in the patio to add to the trip, but now that I’ve been frequenting this place enough times I realize music would just be extra noise.
Over time I also find there is a rather funky and eclectic crowd there, and the staff is… interesting to say the least… People come talk to you about the weirdest things, sometimes awkwardly so, and you may even overhear a raunchy anecdote or two from some people who may interpret their freedoms a little too far. I’ve been wondering a few times what’s the deal with some of the people I meet there. If you want to keep it normal, stay inside, drink beer, listen to the tight tunes, play video games. If you want to question some things about life and stimulate your senses socially go to the patio. This place is rather surreal in its own sense, for better or worse. The highlights of this place are the arcade table, the live bands and some open mic nights I’ve heard are OK but nothing to cut a cake to. The bands are a must though, always tight, always groovy!

while it may have irked me if it wasn’t so darn cute, something about the size of this place (maybe 5 stools at the bar & merely 3 beers on draft) charmed the pants off me. magners in a can & a bartender who indulged with me in jameson shots. fellow patrons who gave my wife a hash brownie for her birthday. local music acts. totally rad.

Great little (and I do mean little) Parkdale find!
Drink selection is moderate; lots of local brews. There isn’t much seating, so be prepared to stand on a Friday or Saturday night. And they have a fluffy «bar cat» that does the rounds making friends with all the patrons!
Still, the BEST part about NotMyDog would be the live music. It’s one of the city’s best spots to hear up and coming acts.

Live music and nice back patio!

I like this place. I’m only giving it three stars because i think they need a wider selection of scotches, but that’s nitpicking bc they do have a good range of beers. Got a laid back down-​home feel and a lovely patio. I’ll be back.

My very first night in Toronto I went exploring for a local haunt and stumbled upon Not My Dog. Almost walked right past, but luckily was drawn in by the smooth sounds of a live jazz band. Over the last two years I have gone back for the great beer selection, awesome edemame and intimate dark ambiance that only a select few have managed to master.