The Emmet Ray

I don’t know a thing about whiskey as I am a teetotaler. But my date was visiting from out of town and wanted to take him to a place I knew he would enjoy.
They have an extensive list of whiskeys from around the world. I am told it’s an excellent selection.
The owners are great — staff is welcoming. Good job guys!

great enironment, cool staff, surprisingly dope selection. this place is a win no matter which way you slice it :-)

Simplement à éviter… A moins qu’il y ai une table en terrasse. Pour ce que l’on reçoit c’est affreusement cher, j ai commandé une Buffalo Poutine Chicken, y avait 3 morceaux de poulet qui faisaient la tronche, par de fromage, pas de gravy, juste une sauce à l’ail… Un mélange loin d’être explosif. Tout ça pour la modique somme de $ 20 environ.
Y a quelques bières au fut sympa sinon…

The draft list is Toronto-​area only but the whisk (e)y selection is world-​wide!
The new menu is comfort-​meets-​fancy and very tasty!
Also the bar DOES take credit and debit.

Being a scotch whisky amateur, I was excited to attend a friend’s birthday recently that was hosted by The Emmet Ray.
What I noticed first and foremost was how cozy this place was. Next, was the amazing bar where one could literally count hundreds of bottles of whisky, bourbon, scotch, beers. The dim lit environment added to the overall ambiance that you were in a old, English whisky pub. It was definitely not Irish, but Irish spirits are served none the less!
Their selections of their various spirits can be viewed through a menu. For the scotch amateur such as myself, it was very overwhelming at first. But, after a few minutes, I began to recognize the main distillery offerings, and a few others I did not know that existed.
For the evening, I settled on the Highland Park 18, Talisker 10, and the Oban 14. Service was prompt and friendly, the two gents manning the bar was able to answer a few questions as to how best appreciate these single malts.
As we were there for a birthday, we were confined to the room at the back for our own private event. Bite sized portions of food was served, and amazingly enough, was delectably great — better than I was expecting! I met their head chef, also whom I think is the owner that evening. He had prepared Korean style short ribs, rice cooked in beans with braised slow cooked lamb, and spicy and sweet meatballs. The lamb was absolutely amazing, very tender and flavorful full of sweet spices.
Now these items may not be from the menu, but at least you know the range of selections are there should your party requests it. At least, now I know the level of talent their chef is and it should surely translate into their regular food offerings. I’ll be sure to revisit at another date to sample their regular foods. Did I mention they have whiskey pairings on the menu for all of their food items?
Definitely visit The Emmet Ray if you’re a whiskey connoisseur, or like myself, pretending to be one.
Until then, I’ll be drowning deep in a dram of Talisker 10, my new favourite single malt!

We booked this place for a group of friends for dinner and drinks. At no point were we notified before coming in that the weekend menu includes only 2 items that are heated in the oven and pre-​made. The DJ never showed up. To their credit this place turns into a good whiskey bar later in the night. However, they should really make it obvious that that’s all they are, rather than posting a big menu with a tiny fine print and only 2 food items available on the weekends. Good atmosphere but a bit disappointing.

This is not necessarily a review, thus I apologize in advance.
I am moving literally around the corner from here on December 1, 2014. I am very intrigued and excited to check this spot out.
Looks like a very cool place in a very cool neighbourhood.
See you soon!

I love this place. I’ve only actually been here once & that was about a year ago. I love that it offers live music, all the bands seem to be very talented, the service was terrific. They offer a good selection of beers & cocktails. I can’t wait to go back. Definitely a 10 out of 10.

The atmosphere of this place is chill and cozy. I had a chicken pot pie and Corner Creek bourbon whiskey. Maybe not the best combination but who cares. «You do you» as my life coach says. There was a DJ but I just remember the music got louder and louder as the night went on. I guess conversation topics become more and more awkward as the night goes on, and the remedy for that is to drown it out with louder music. The chicken pot pie was right on. Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside. I’m not a bourbon whiskey woman, but I might as well be because I really liked it. I just would need a chicken pot pie to go with it.

Still the best, laid back, welcoming place to drink in the West-​End. Especially if you like whiskey.

Wow — what a comprehensive list of whiskies and beers — they even have a Game of Thrones stout!!! Count me in. Staff are friendly, DJs are really awesome, and I love that they sell crisps, like a British style pub. The only complaint I have is that they only sell small pies for hot food — wish they had something different! (even pork scratchings would be great!) As well — it can get really noisy here when they have live music.

Came here to celebrate my birthday on Saturday night. Arrived at 11pm and the bar was full. We stood around the bar area and were able to grab a couple of tables as they opened up. Great music (soul, funk, hip hop and old school) and good vibe. I didn’t pay for any drinks so I’m not too sure about the prices but had a friend comment that he had paid $ 13 for a pint of beer and 2 shots of jäger. I had a great time and would recommend this spot for a group of friends looking for a fun bar with good music on a Saturday night. Not really a dance spot though since they haven’t got the space for it. Also it’s cash only.

Great pub in a great part of town! Came here after we overstayed our welcome at a restaurant down the street. At 1:30 in the a.m. the place was still packed. The back room was fairly empty. The band was just packing up. Our Group of Seven snagged a table in the back room, thinking this was a good idea, but the speaker in the one corner was a tad too loud for us to converse. After putting up with it for about fifteen minutes, we decided to move into the front room.
Lots of very friendly people, including the staff. Great atmosphere. Washrooms weren’t bad at all, especially considering it was late on a Saturday night. No annoying ‘last call’ announcements. Great bar.
I only had a brief moment to glance at the selection behind the bar because it was very crowded, but was very impressed with the variety of bottles they carry.
I’d love to come back for live music at some point.

Open windows, live music, $ 5 pints and an unrivaled whiskey list. The loveliness of this place can’t be denied.
After a long day of working, unwinding with some friends over a pint here is great. Leaving before your friends start scatting along with the live Jazz is ideal.
PEPPER POINTS for their regular menu coming this fall! Can’t wait.

Has almost always been and shall likely forever remain one of my favourite little bars. Totally unpretentious, unique without being self-​conscious, a true come-​as-​you-​are and stay-​as-​long-​as-​you-​like sort of establishment.
The only reason I’m not giving it five stars is that they removed the exceptional pot-​pies from the menu. Criminal. I have not had much that’s on the new menu, but everything I’ve ever eaten here has been piping hot, fast to the table, and warmly delicious. Comfort food, simple, tasty, delcious.
I find another reviewer’s assertion that Andrew, the owner, doesn’t know anything about scotch absolutely ridiculous. I don’t know anyone else (except for the owner of Allen’s on the Danforth) who knows more about scotch. The selection is commendable and this is and always will be a scotch and bourbon drinkers bar.
That being said, the selection of beer is well priced and extensive.
The staff are tops.

There is something special about this place.
I am probably a handful of good nights away from upgrading this to 5 stars but it just isn’t quite there yet.
This über cozy bar is kind of in the middle of nowhere and when I first discovered it a few years ago it was REALLY was in the middle of nowhere.
With its proximity so close to the College Street drag and the Ossignton bars it is easy to miss. But it REALLY says something about a place when you bother to walk the extra few blocks to enjoy this place.
I have come here on many different occasions, the first time stumbling on a random bar hop, the next night drinks with friends, another night a date and another night a dance night where we were trolling for interesting characters to chat up.
Those were all successful nights.
This place pretty much has it all. It has a great cozy room with booths and a nice bar area where you can get chatty with new friends.
It has a teensy back room that has good music and an unpretentious crowd.
The music can be eclectic and is themed depending on the night but I have heard everything from 80s, brit pop, hiphop to daring on some electronic trip hop.
The drinks are affordable and the service is friendly and never overbearing.
And I also don’t know what it is about this place but the people who frequent this place are just good looking. I have never come here and NOT been attracted to the crowd here.
I have yet to eat anything here, but the other reviews say promising things about the food.

3.8 Stars
VIBE
A great place to come when you’re already inebriated. It’s where the cool kids come after the party. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not fancy. Most «cool» places aren’t.
You can sit in a pew in the front area. I personally liked the back area because there’s a DJ, two couches and a mini dance floor. This night was a tribute to MCA, so Beastie Boys were on the soundtrack that night. It was fun, it was casual, it works.
Notes:
1. Hipsters dance funny.
2. Two straight Indian dudes dancing is not funny. It’s just weird.
3. I will always fight. for my right. to paarrrt-​aayy.
I DRANK
The usual. Heineken. But apparently, they have a good whiskey selection here. Maybe I’ll have to come back for a bourbon sour.
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
I kind of like this place.

It seriously felt like I was at an Elite Unilocal Event. Everybody hovers around the Bar.
Except I’m squeezing between people where the Bar narrows to PAY for Alcohol.
No matter. $ 4.50 pints before 9:00 pm even on Weekend is superb.
After 9:00 pm seems reasonable pricing like other College st shops.
Music extremely loud even when we’re opposite poles from the Music Source.
The Music Source was not coming from the in-​house IPod, but rather Live is nice.
I just pretend that whenever my Friends open their mouth, they spoke 80s ol’skool.
The ultra-​comfort lounge Sofas near the Front looking out to street is limited supply.
The seats across from the Bar aren’t really seats but a Waiting Area for ordering.
I wonder how high you have to be to not be disturbed in the back by the Live Music.
Atmosphere, I can imagine it being perfect for Live Jazz the likes of New Orleans.
I’m down for that.

Interesting setup for this up and coming neighborhood of bar/​pubs.
Atmosphere is relaxed, laid back and inviting if you ask me. Good selection of booze with a huge selection of single malts, whiskies, beer etc.
Plus is the 4.50 $ pints before 9 PM everyday so kudos for that.
They had a decent selection of beer but somehow I ended up ordering the Boneshaker (a local IPA with 7.1% alcohol) oh man vile stuff. I can’t blame the place for this beer but sorta ruined my experience there. If you like that beer this is a good spot to have it.
Service is relaxed and since we were a larger group we were left alone after we ordered so we could chat and stuff with the water being filled regularly.
The big? for me is why they only take cash! I mean who carries cash anymore at least accept interac.
3 Stars.

A jazz and whiskey bar some ways off from the more bustling stretch of College Ave, named after a fictional jazz guitarist from an old Woody Allen flick. Has the feel of a local hangout, couches up front, the bar area in the middle, and tables in the back, with live jazz most nights. Lively crowd on the late Saturday evening we went, and between that and the live music, it will be hard to hear your company, but we lucked out on the couches all the way up front by the windows, the quietest section. Friendly staff.
Plenty of whiskey on their menu, although beer was what I was interested in having. Several local beers on tap, and a good selection of import and Canadian craft beers, stored in a controlled temperature unit by the bar. Not too bad price wise, with most beers $ 5.75, and the more expensive hovering around $ 7 — 8 for the most part. Or better yet, their happy hour price of $ 4.50 a pint from their draft section up until 9 pm, but we were there after that hour. Instead, tried the Unibroue Fin du monde here, an excellent ale.
Definitely warmed up to the place as the night went on, and found it to be a laid-​back bar without much of a scene, and can’t argue with the solid beer selection. Cash only.

I dig The Emmet Ray.
The drink menu is great! A good selections of Beer, Whiskies and Scotch! The selection of Whiskies really blow my mind. There would be something here for anyone!
They Even have Boneshaker IPA on Draft. Before 9 pm is only $ 4.50 a pint… at 7.1% I don’t need a lot to be blasted!
We were here on a Saturday late night! The place still hopping with a Live DJ pumping out «Old School» music, I guess 80s tunes are oldies…
Luckily we got the sofa area in the front where we can lounge around and yelled at each other since the music was quite loud at time…
My Unilocal Friends kept nodding their heads and smiling to whatever I said… can they really hear me?
I’ll be back here for sure… I want to have some Malt Scotch!