The Dock Ellis

A very fun, very open hipster sports bar (I didn’t know that was a thing). There is a Foosball and pool table (for a dollar a game) and shuffleboard table at the very back along with a maddeningly impossible pinball game from what I would have to guess would be the 1940s. The drinks are very reasonable and the tables are long and set up for groups. A fun spot with a lot going on even if you aren’t watching a game.

If you don’t know the story of Dock Ellis look it up. I have tried to come to this place a couple times but usually when they are completely full, but his time I went with a friend to watch a football game on Sunday afternoon. They have a combo that allows you to get any 4 x $ 5 item which we did plus we got some of there wings. The wings were really good but they are the complete wing and the small size is only 3 wings.
Overall I had a great time here because they had a ton of games on of football and the beer section was really good.

Fun place to watch a Jays game, as the crowd gets into it and are generally friendly. TV’s aren’t huge but there are lots of them and they are visible from most vantage points. Plus there is a projection screen on the far end near the shuffleboard and foosball tables.
Really nice craft beer selection both on tap and in tall boy format has kept me coming back. Drinks from $ 5 – 8 tax in make it a fair offer.
And while I had minimal expectations with the food, the Pineapple Pulled Pork sandwich is absolutely legit! A sweetness yet slightly zesty flavour, super impressed me and had me even craving another one the next day.
And there is probably a joke about cheap hipsters that caused this, but all their pricing is tax included. So when you order a $ 8 beer and a $ 10 sandwich, the bill actually comes to $ 18, so thats kind of cool, just like my 2 word review would sum up… This place is «kinda cool».

Visited the bar for the first time this past saturday, and I’d say my overall impression was…‘Meh’. It was a busy night because the Jays were playing and the bar was streaming the game. Kinda annoying cause their TVs are all really small and if you were not there early enough to grab a seat, you’re out of luck. No one really mingled around. Just a bunch of hipster dudes talking to each other. The lighting in the place made it look kinda like a old legion. Granted perhaps this is the look they are going for.
One great thing is the drinks were cheap.
I’d probably go again, but wouldn’t rush to head there on a night out.

I really liked it here:)! It kind of had a nice dive ish feel to it in a good way. The drink rose lexicon is pretty good but what is the best part about here is the atmosphere. They have great music choice here which is a little loud but nice. I liked how they had the option of fooseball and pool tables it gave it a fun, open atmosphere. I love how they have a deal for you to get four appys (bate in kind small portions) for twenty! That’s a great deal and I’m definitely going back again for it! This place has a great vibe.

Food is well-​above average, shuffleboard.

Very Hip Sportsbar. Decent selection of microbrews on tap. Named after the crazy pitcher who threw a no hitter on LSD. Sports bar for people who don’t like sports bars!

I was toying with giving out a better rating, but the more I though about my experience, the more I dislike this place.
We went for a birthday gathering over the weekend to watch sports, play some shuffleboard, and enjoy some food and drink.
2 stars are really for the shuffleboard, which we spent the afternoon playing.
We attempted to watch the TFC and Jets game at the same time, but that was a failure because the bartender kept changing the channel. He meant to change one TV but kept changing a whole wall of TVs then complained when we asked for him to keep it on the original channel. There was our group of 8, plus two people sitting at the bar. Plenty of TVs, so no need to switch them all to golf when only 1 patron makes the request, especially when there is a large group in another section clearly watching other games. This really is not a place to go if you are a somewhat serious sports fan. No one seems actually interested in sports here.
We placed and order for food, but the surly bartender that didn’t know how to work the TVs never punched it in. So an hour later the night shift started working and our food was nowhere to be seen. They comped our meal, which came after 1 h and 45m. That was nice of them. The sandwich was delicious (not worth the wait though) and the side of popcorn was stale and inedible.
If you’re looking for a place to play shuffle board and hang out, this place should suffice. But if you’re considering gathering to watch (even passively) a game, I’d look elsewhere. Also … Hipsters. Lots of them.

Killed sometime with a friend here on a Thursday night. The place was hopping. It is absolutely a hipster sports bar it was not exclusionary or too cool for it’s own good. If you love local beers this is a great place. The staff were super friendly and attentive. I would definitely return and try some food.

Two very enthusiastic thumbs up.
Nestled in the Portuguese Sports Bar district on Dundas, The Dock Ellis is a bar for hipsters that like sports, as previous reviews suggests. But they do it extremely well, and in an unpretentious way. A very solid draught & bottle selection, a continuing rum special, and very capable and friendly staff. The menu an ecclectic and shockingly well executed surpise. Wonton Nachos and the wings are always a solid choice.
The crowd is friendly, sports savvy, and always welcome to join in as a 4^th for foosball, or next to toss a loonie down for the pool table. Plus they have your rich friends rumpus room downstairs in the basement! Beware of the arcade machine upstairs though, she’s tempermental and eats quarters on occasion.
It’s nice to have a place outside my house where I can sob uncontrollably while enduring the Leafs, and not feel out of place. Will be returning.

The Dock Ellis is a wicked hipster sports bar just west of Ossington and Dundas with a wide selection of beer and cocktails, (surprisingly) tasty apps (for a sports bar, that is), and a fun mixed crowd. To compare this to Jack Astor’s (Yonge and Bloor) and Scaddabush Italian Kitchen and Bar (Yonge and Gerrard), this place is in a league of its own!
You walk in and there’s tons of tables for groups, perfect for 4 – 6 people. There’s a foosball table, a pool table, shuffleboard, and 4 – 5 TV screens for the game. The service is quick and friendly and the kitchen is open concept.
–Don’t mind the photos that another Unilocaler uploaded of the empty tables, this must have been a dead night– The night we came, it was pretty much packed, not too many people that you’re shoulder to shoulder, but a bustling atmosphere.
Pro tip: There’s even another huge room downstairs with a full bar that could easily hold 60 people. Would be a great place for a friends and family get-​together or celebration.
The food is pretty tasty. I ordered the Wonton nachos with chorizo, cheese sauce, salsa, picked jalapeños, and cream. The portion was tiny, but it was delicious and was $ 5. My friend had the chicken wings brined and fried and the friggin’ chicken wing was massive — could have been a prehistoric bird you’d see at the ROM!
We arrived at around maybe midnight and was lucky enough to catch a table. But the place seemed packed already. As for the crowd, there’s a good mix of guys and gals there, and the noise was a bit loud, but hey, it’s a sports bar.
Pro tip: Look no further, this is the best sports bar near Ossington and Dundas.

I just recently realized that the Dundas strip, west of Ossington is brimming with a few new sports bars. Thank god someone decided to switch up the sports bar vibe a little bit.
Dock Ellis is a great spot to stop by on a weeknight, weekend, or whatever… catch a game, play some darts, eat some refreshingly new takes on bar food, and not find yourself in a cliché sports bar setting. As mentioned earlier, it’s essentially a sports bar for hipsters. Staff is friendly, they have a half decent beer selection and the food is on par with restaurants in the area. Oh, they also have a pretty cool darts league! My only rant is the TV’s are on the small side.

More good bar food is what this city is needing. I’ll take the fact that things don’t always hit. Like I had a fish sandwich that would have been way too fishy for ⁹⁄₁₀ people. I like me an oily stinking piece of fish, too. In the right context. But on a fish sandwich, man… give me something moist and flavourless.
In any case, the point is that they are working their noggins at the Dock Eliis, providing food that tempts the belly while tugging at the old brain box, too. And when it works, it works and you will curse the fact that you ever went inside a chain big box faux irish pub and you will admit that you have been so much a part of the problem, but that now that the Dock Ellis is here you will do better.
Fried chicken thigh is a safe bet, but I have had very pleasing experiences with many of the $ 5 snacks.
I don’t even like sports.

The previous reviewer who said this is a sports bar for hipsters was totally right, but there’s so much more to the Dock Ellis than that. This place is wild!
We went there for my boyfriend’s bday party and the Dock Ellis was totally accommodating to our large group. They don’t take reservations, so we showed up at 6 to snag the table that had a great view of the screens and was closest to all the games: foosball, shuffleboard, and a pool table. Downstairs there’s a mini rec room featuring an air hockey table, ping pong and darts. It was the perfect place to throw a party!
This place scores points for its awesome food (everyone who ate anything was super impressed. Personally I tried a couple wonton nachos and they were divine!) and fantastic service. We started with a lovely blonde server who was super kind to replace a beer for free when the birthday boy accidentally knocked it over, but later in the night we were taken care of by a guy named Colin. He was great! Drinks arrived quickly and he was able to provide everyone with separate bills, which was especially helpful as we had a rotating crop of people come throughout the night.
I totally plan to go back here. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about the Dock Ellis and I highly recommend it to everyone. Even my friends who don’t particular care for «the sports» highly enjoyed themselves.

It’s a sports bar for hipsters!
My boyfriend and his pals love sports. But they have a difficult time identifying with sports bars. Enter Dock Ellis, a bar named after an obscure acid trip baseball reference. Look it up.
Anyway, went here for a birthday on the weekend and had a blast. There’s shuffleboard, a pool table and deliiiiicous snacks. Caramel and soy edamame and caramelized pecans? Don’t mind if I do! I didn’t get a chance to try the chickpea fries but the wonton nachos were tasty and there’s a good selection of beer.
I’ll definitely go back for friendly hangs soon.

PARTIAL REVIEW
–Chef Trish Gill (formerly Sous-​Chef of Beast) has dreamt up a menu of inexpensive bar snacks with an upscale twist. Imagine the regular suspects– nachos, wings, sandwiches, and fried foodstuffs– but given some unexpected culinary upgrades. For example, rather than a basket of frozen McCain superfries, Gill is serving up fried goodies like house made Tater-​Tots or Fried Beets. Regular store-​bought tortilla chips in a platter of nachos get reimagined with wonton chips. And your processed Grilled Cheese got a kick in the pants with a jalapeño popper filling and two slices of the celebrated OMG bread.
–Divided into Bar Snacks, Big Snacks and Sandwiches-​some may argue that the most impressive thing about this place is the price. Nothing is offered over $ 10. A-​maz-​ing. It’s also very shareable, meaning you can casually nosh and order as your party’s appetite grows.
Fried Beets, Spiced Pepitas, Citrus Aioli ($ 5)
Deliciously good. The colourful beets were perfectly juicy and tender within with a delicate but satisfying crispy texture outside. I also loved the counterbalance of the sweetness of the beets with the tangy aioli and nutty crunch of the seeds.
Sweet Potato Stuffed Cornbread, Waylon’s Bacon Dressing ($ 5)
One of my favourite bites of the day. While cornbread is often dry, this version had an extra level of moisture from the luscious whipped sweet potatoes, while its sweetness was balanced out with the drizzle of salty pork. Yum.
Dill Pickled Eggs, Smokey Pigs’ Ears ($ 5)
Sometimes pickled eggs can feel too rich but these had a nice balance of creamy fatty yolk, tangy aioli and crispy salty fried pig. Retro revisited and done really well.
Sausage Roll, Plum Ketchup ($ 5)
These were nothing like the humdrum frozen sausage rolls I grew up with at family get togethers. With its flaky buttery pastry and spiced moist meat mixture, this felt a bit more like a hand-​held tourtière than a roll. Call it whatever you want, just give it a good smear through than sweet and tangy plum sauce and bring it to me.
Rye Whiskey & Maple Crackerjack ($ 5)
Honestly, I know this is so simple because I make it all the time, but they got the popcorn/​nut/​caramel ratio right. I like when there is a clear excess of caramel to the popcorn, and these clusters were brimming with the chewy sweet stuff. I meant to ask for a second (or third) bag to take home– it was just so good.
Tete-​r-​Tots, Crème Fraiche, Diablos Fuego ($ 5)
Stuffed with tender pulled pork, this dish turned out way better than I expected it to be. The filling was meaty, salty, sweet and tender to juxtapose the crispy golden exterior outside, while the Diablos Fuego (my personal favourite hot sauce) stood in with enough acid and heat to cut the fat. A definite must order.
Wonton Nachos, House Chorizo, Salsa, Cheese Sauce, Pickled Jalapenos, Crema ($ 10)
Now, I have eaten a lot of nachos in my lifetime and have seen a lot of creative takes. But the wonton wrapper standing in for a corn chip? Bloody genius. These chips were evenly seasoned, light as air, and had a delicate sweetness that took the classic bar food to a whole other guilty-​pleasure level. You cannot come here without ordering these nachos.
Confit Roster Wings with Smokey BBQ sauce ($ 10)
Obviously, these are not your average bar wings. These are bad ass meaty mommas that take that wet nap to places it’s never seen before. Put on the bib if you’re skiddish– things are about to get deliciously messy.
Lime Pot de Crème with Sailor Jerry Rum Caramel Sauce & Shortbread ($ 5×2)
I loved the combination of the tangy custard and the bitter sweet caramel, especially with the textural contrast of the buttery cookie. My only criticism is that it was a bit difficult to push a spoon through the caramel to retrieve some of the luscious cream below without almost peeling the sticky layer of sweetness off in one go. It just took a little finagling to get it evenly on my spoon (and yes, I maybe had to put a few fingers in the pot to help things out) — but it was definitely worth the sticky fingers.
Closing Remarks:
–For 8 «snacks», 2 «big snacks» and 3 drinks (enough to generously feed 3), the bill came to $ 95 including tax and tip– seriously, it doesn’t get much better value than that.
–Sure, the Dock Ellis may predominantly attract the casual drinking, chilling and/​or sports watching crowd– but it would be a shame to overlook it’s greatest charm– the really good food served at really reasonable prices. So if you’re looking for somewhere to watch a game, play a round of pool over drinks with a group of friends, or grab a casual bite in the west end, then I would recommend putting the Dock Ellis high up on your list.

I enjoy The Dock Ellis and it’s sister-​bar The Emmet Ray immensely, but I had an odd customer-​service encounter last night. After spending a few pints at The Emmet, moseyed on down to The Dock for one of their great sandwiches with a friend who’s never tried them.
Ordered some drinks, a shared plate, and two sandwiches. We wanted to each take a half of the sandwiches to try, so obviously asked to get them cut in half. They refused! Two different staff members. The only other time that’s happened to me was at the most pretentious/​annoying restaurant I’ve been to in Vancouver. I was brought a knife to do it myself because the kitchen has a policy against doing what customers want, I guess. A super small request to an otherwise not very busy establishment, and refused on principal. Dopey move, team.
Customer service taking an unnecessary backseat may cost the establishment in the long-​run (at least from my wallet), especially when it overwrites whatever you thought of the food (tasted pretty good!).

I really like this place. I was there on a sunday around Christmas time and was happy to be able to get the SD Chargers game. It was crucial because it was win: and get into the playoffs or lose: and go home. One of the owners is a huge Chicago Bears fan some the main TV’s were on that game but they were able to control each TV independently. This is big for a sports bar since there are a lot of sports going on at any given time.
This Sunday the kitchen was closed so I am unable to give any feedback on the food but I liked how the kitchen was set up. An open concept that allows the customers watch their food being prepared shows major confidence in their abilities.
I’m also a serious gamer (card games, board games, sports games, etc.) The Dock Ellis has a pool table, foozeball table and even a shuffle board! That’s hard to find so I give major props to them.
All in all I’ll be back every time I’m in Toronto and I’m there quite often!

Full disclosure: I do know someone behind this (magnificent) operation. Being mindful of that bias, I’ll just let you know what the deal is and recommend that you form your own opinion of how well it delivers first hand.
VIBE
Laid back, but in no way a dive. Fits the west-​end bar scene in look and vibe, but with a focus on sports; refreshing twist. Dim, candle-​lit. Not as dark as your typical hipster hole but more flattering than the glare of most sports bars. It’s a sports bar that’s not a sports bar.
Rows of 10 person tables encourage communal seating /​accommodate large groups. TVs behind the bar are perfect size for those lined up on the barstools. Larger TVs hung throughout the rest of the bar guarantee you a good view of the game regardless of where you’re seated.
FOOSBALL
Has it.
I love this game way too much, and I’m really happy to see it in a bar that I won’t be embarrassed to frequent. No more dealing with wasted undergrads wailing to Journey just to get my foos fix – «not that there’s anything wrong with that».
POOL
Has it.
FOOD
Short menu elevates a couple of sports bar classics without getting too complicated.
LIBATIONS
Safe to say the beer list will blow away that of your current sports bar. Staffers know their beer, so if you’re unfamiliar with what they have on tap (ranging from Beau’s Lugtred to Boneshaker) they can help you pick something that will tickle your fancy.
IN SUM
Awesome west-​end hangout.

I came here for opening night with some men who were obsessing over their Lulu scores. The conversations were so silly I hardly had time to realize it was a sports bar, and for my money that’s a good thing.
Yes there are screens, yes there are sports, but overall this is just a great bar experience. Casual cafeteria style tables, reasonably priced whiskey, and really good fried chicken burgers. They taste like KFC big crunches, allegedly, and apparently that ain’t bad!
PEPPER PROPS to this place’s namesake. Dude pitched a no hitter on acid.
#obsessedwithhismom
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