If these bars could talk, they’d tell you some stories…
The next time you’re heading out for a beer, skip the standard chain pub and choose something with personality. Ontario is home to several century-old bars, each one with a history as full as the pints it slings.
Come with us on a virtual pub crawl to the oldest, most historic watering holes dotted across the province.
Olde Angel Inn
Location: 224 Regent St, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Established: 1789
Fun fact: These days, Niagara-on-the-Lake is known for its wineries, but the Olde Angel Inn (know simple as “the Angel” to locals) is the province’s longest-running inn. It was originally called the Harmonious Coach House and was rebuilt and renamed in 1815 after the War of 1812. Pull up a stool to the wood and get the tender to tell you the story behind the drinking hole’s resident ghost, Canadian militia officer Captain Colin Swayze.
The Laff
Location: 42 York St, Ottawa
Established: 1849
Fun fact: Its mom calls it Chateau Lafayette, but to its friends, it’s The Laff. Ottawa’s oldest pub is so old, it’s been around since before the city received its name in 1855. It’s even older than the original parliament buildings, which went up in 1859.
Wheat Sheaf
Location: 667 King St W, Toronto
Established: 1849
Fun fact: The Wheat Sheaf is the city’s longest-running bar, though it closed for eight months in 1995 for renovations when the ownership changed hands.
The Black Bull
Location: 298 Queen St W, Toronto
Established: 1830s
Not far from the Wheat Sheaf is The Black Bull, which dates back to the 1830s — there’s conflicting data on the exact year it opened. It went by the name Clifton House before changing to The Black Bull in the ’70s.
Royalton Hotel
Location: 248 Bay Street, Thunder Bay
Established: 1936
Fun fact: The Royalton Hotel isn’t as mature as other on this list, but it’s Thunder Bay’s longest running bar, so is worth a mention. The Royalton also serves a music venue and rumour has it that Neil Young once performed here. When you visit, make sure to order a pickled egg. It’s a thing.
Kingston Brewing Company
Location: 34 Clarence St. Kingston
Established: 1986
Fun fact: Kingston has a handful of old bars like the Royal Tavern and Prince George Hotel, but what makes Kingston Brewing Company unique is that it’s the province’s longest-running brewpub. (It’s also Canada’s oldest wine-producing pub.) The brewpub is located inside of a brick building that was once a telegraph office in the 1800s and is a must-visit for imbibers.