Would have been a 5 star as the bartenders and food were great. However the hostess at the front was not at all. (08/20/23) We walked in and asked for a table of 2, she said “no I don’t have anything.” We went around to the patio and did not like the seating, however the patio hostess was helpful and told us the inside tables are on a short waitlist. We walk back to the front and ask how long for a table of 2, she states 30 minutes. (Why did she not tell us this in the first place instead of just saying no?) we put down our phone number, keep in mind the hostess had a very nonchalant, unwelcoming attitude. We wait 45 minutes, don’t receive a text, so we return and ask how much longer it would be. The hostess says “I texted you.” We ask her to repeat the number she wrote down and she did not write down the right number. So we waited 45 minutes to end up sitting at the bar that we could have sat in the first place, but specifically wanted a table. The food was very good and the bartenders were very nice, however I am in the industry myself and the first impression at the door is a huge deal. I was recommended this bar by some of my friends, which is the reason I wanted to stay and try it out, otherwise I would have left after this first interaction at the door.
Price per person
$50–60
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Arancini

4.5 rating, taking off points for the strange music and MVs (it's got a great vibe and interior but the music doesn't match up lol), the slightly uncomfortable bar stools. Went on a Tuesday at 6pm for 2 people, and the place was fully booked but luckily not a party night. So this review is based on this weeknight context. Got the Shakespeare pizza and it was amazing. Salty and a little funky for those who are used to more standard pizza, but honestly I loved it and I've tried and nitpicked at a lot of pizza places. 8.8/10. Had the November special pistachio matcha martini and it was delicious. Creamy and a bit nutty, a half shot too much alcohol that overpowered the other flavours. Slightly overpriced imo, but so many drinks in Toronto are like that now. Server was lovely, it was the Asian guy and he came by to help me with my choices without a prompt. The hostess came by when we had half an hour left to remind us nicely about the time. My friend had the hot rod which she didn't comment on, but she said the sour poet cocktail tasted like cherry juice without any alcohol. One thing to consider is the inconsistency in quality between dishes I've seen in reviews and between myself and my friend. Overall lovely experience and would go back!
Price per person
$40–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

Visited this place yesterday for dinner. The food and ambience was amazing but customer service just totally let us down! We were party of 2 walk-in, was suggested to go for patio as it’s first come first serve basis. We were greeted by this young lady(could be more specific but choose not to). We preferred a picnic table and were ready to wait for one but she was just kinda trying to fit us on the side table. While waiting, there comes another party of 2 n she smartly lets them take the picnic table first, I argued n she was lying to me that it’s a party of 3! So we decided to wait n take the side table and then asked her to let us switch when the table is available. She finally agreed because she knew she messed up n that we can see she clearly bluffed us. Just frustrating! Could have given some extra $$ for the service, but not after being treated any less than someone local. Dear Manager, if you are reading this, it’s my genuine request to make sure everyone gets a fair chance. Cos everyone pays for what they order. If we are not local doesn’t mean we are not worth! Thanks. The food was really good.
Price per person
$30–40
Food: 5
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 4

I have been working in the industry for a long time and it is rare that you get to see this level of teamwork, quality and customer service. We were greeted by the amazing host just as we arrived and also had the chance to talk to Mark, who I am guessing was the manager because this guy was all over the place taking care of all operations. They made us feel really welcome. Ordered a bunch of cocktails and you can really trust the menu on this one since all the cocktails were different, balanced and garnished really good. Great selection of glasses and beautiful colors. Kudos to the bartenders! I cannot say much regarding the food since we only ordered finger foods, but everything was tasty. Not only do I want to come visit this place again, I want to work there now. ~——————————————————~ In verses unforeseen, a poem did bloom, A surprise, like shadows in a dim-lit room. From the bar's confines, where poets may fade, Yet thy emotion lingers, a haunting cascade. A desire, a persistent, melancholic song, To join thy stage, where shadows prolong. In the email's silence, my resume lays still, A tale of passion, a fate to fulfill.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

After seeing the popularity of this location for a night out in the city, I am left ever so slightly underwhelmed by my experience here at Bar Poet. We were seated at the patio which was fine since it was a beautiful evening! I find it interesting how the patio is bar-style seating, no complaints, just an interesting choice! I had to order the rigatoni since it was the dish being recommended the most— even our server said I had to try it. With all these raving reviews I was left disappointed when it tasted like pizza sauce mixed in the pasta noodles. It lacked a kick or any flavour that made me excited to take a second bite. The monotony of every single bite was tiresome pretty early on. The pizzas we ordered were fine. The shining star has to be the pizza crust, but the actual toppings were lacking anything special. Our server was very friendly and sweet, she was great at answering all of our questions.
Price per person
$20–30

This is the worst ducking place I’ve been to! We spent good amount of money and pay drinks for the staffs !!!! This place used to be great but im not sure if they switched managers or not but this place have gone downhill real quick! The tiny short manager is a clown!! I believe she will remember who we are! After seeing so many bad reviews of the manager i guess you guys should take a step forward else this place can have very bad reputation in the long run! we have bars next door which have better services and better staff and better environment ! Will for sure not spend a single dollar there neither will my surroundings ! This lady have put bar poet in such a disgusting environment! Unfortunately not everyone is meant to be a manager! Thanks to nick for his kindness
Price per person
$100+
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1

OG Margherita Pizza Rigatoni Pistachio Matcha Martini Peanut Butter Espresso Martini Bar Poet has DJ and arcades around the place, and gives a college bar vibe. We tried to make it to this place three times before and we never could bc of the huge waitlist. This time we arrived around 4PM and were seated right away! By the time we left at 6PM, the line was HUGE We were served by a attentive nice staff, and the food was alright. My friend liked the rigatoni! Our drinks were very strong haha We couldn’t taste the matcha or the peanut from either of our drinks, but I liked my pistachio martini. I’d rate them ambience 4/5 food and drinks 3/5 service 5/5!
Price per person
$100+
Food: 3
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

I read a review before going to this place which spoke about racism. I did have similar experience where the guy attending guests at front desk might have been partial. We had not reserved a table but it did feel like he sat another couple ahead of us, even though they came after us. From the conversation I overheard between the guy at front desk and these other guests, it seemed like they did not have a reservation either. We went there for my birthday and I just wanted to have a good time. So I made no fuss and let it go. Besides I am not totally sure if it happened. Having said that, we were treated really well after we were seated. The food here is amazing!
Price per person
$60–70
Food: 5
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 5

Great place as I came here for the first time with a group of friends. Christian our servicer was very attentive and quick with our orders. The atmosphere was very nice place to social and have some food+drinks. What we had for drinks was Tequila sodas, margarita, and a white negroni. Food -Chicken Parmesan Sandwich combo -NYC Rigatoni -Dovercourt & Queen “sweet” calamari -Mozzarella sticks Everything came out as expected and tasted delicious. If you’re looking for good food and a few drinks with some friends or coworkers. This spot is worth a try.
Price per person
$30–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Margherita Pizza, Margherita, Arancini

First time here the last night. Took an hour to get inside ( Thursday night, no reso) so we had drinks down the street while we waited for their service to text us. It said 30 minutes wait but took an hour. All good though. Once inside, we got seated at the bar. Had an okay salad + a really good "Microdose" mushroom pizza. Nice cocktails + beer, service and atmosphere. Would go back. Good date spot.
Price per person
$40–50
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Microdose
Vegetarian options
They have a good amount of vegetarian options on the menu. Try the Microdose pizza

Brilliant spot. Love the greenery and vibes in here. Cocktail menu is AMAZING, the Smoky Robinson was so good. My fella loved the High Life cocktail. Didn't eat this time but the pizza looked and smelled so good, excited to come back. We had a few servers touch our table, all such authentic beautiful souls, love that they get to dress and BE themselves at this place. Proper culture. Cice was AMAZING, from the first interaction and straight through just the highest energy genuine kindest passion laid back. Adore this soul and love your style. Hope you're there when we return, thank you!
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

My boyfriend was raving about this place, we finally had a chance to visit yesterday. The ambience and overall aesthetic is so warm and welcoming. “Enchanting” is the perfect word to describe this wonderful quant little gem. We didn’t have a chance to try the food however, Mark treated us with the most amazing drinks at the bar. The way he spoke about the drinks, you could tell it was like an art for him. Probably one of the best drinks we have ever had. Def worth it! Thank you Mark for your hospitality! We will be back to try the food!
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Bar poet was very good! To start off, I was late to my reservation, however the hostess and manager were kind enough to make something work and accommodate me, I appreciated that so much!! Next, I was impressed by the amount of vegetarian options they had on the menu, especially the rigatoni! Everything was REALLY good! The service overall was great, but I wish the server would check in a little more at the start and once you get your food. Would go back again!
Price per person
$40–50
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Microdose, Arancini

Nestled amidst vibrant greenery, this bar seamlessly blends nature and nightlife. The enchanting presence of trees inside creates a unique and refreshing ambiance. The DJ hit all the right spots. The friendly atmosphere, coupled with the natural surroundings, makes it an ideal spot to unwind and connect with friends. A hidden gem for those seeking a harmonious blend of urban and natural elements in their nightlife escapades. We ordered the arancini and although the sauce was too spicy, the rest of the dish was delicious.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

My favourite spot in Toronto! I have been here many times and every time I walk out happy to come back. Food is incredible! The arancini balls and hot rod pizza are some of my favourite dishes! There’s a good selection of cocktails and all the ones I’ve tried have been tasty! (Sour poet and espresso martini are my go to) The overall atmosphere and aesthetic of the restaurant gives off a nice, cozy vibe. Highly recommend, can’t wait to be back!
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Hot Rod, Arancini

A very unique atmosphere with an intriguing menu. I was there for a drink and enjoyed some of their sweet calamari. Taste was good and enjoyable, nothing spectacular. I also had the peanut butter espresso martini which was tasty but did not taste much of peanut butter. It did do its job and kept me awake though! It’s also fairly dark inside if you go after sunset. Not my preferred atmosphere but I can see why people may enjoy such a venue. A fairly popular location so it can get noisy.
Price per person
$30–40
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 3

Bar Poet is definitely one of my go to spots for my friends and I. The atmosphere, food, service and music are all fantastic! You can't go wrong coming to this place and have a good time with a date or just hanging out with friends. Be mindful that this place gets pretty busy so seating is a little limited. I suggest making a reservation cause walk-ins are not guaranteed. Other than that, every time I come here, the staff are always so friendly and accomodating and you must try their calamari. It's very delicious!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

This was my first time here, needless to say I will come back. We did not have reservation and waited about an hour but honestly have no complaints. It’s understandable to get busier on a Saturday night. Perfect spot for date night or with friends. Love the vibe. Servers were very attentive and personable. Loved their cocktail collection, several vegetarian options and pizza is must try!
Price per person
$70–80
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Arancini, Three Little Pigs

Love this place! The atmosphere is super cute, the food is good, and the drinks are all amazing!! Our server Rob was a sweetheart. He was super attentive and really kind, especially when our food was taking longer than our time limit for the table would allow. It felt like he was an old friend. Would come back here just for Rob!!! Everything else is just a plus
Price per person
$50–60
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Margherita, Microdose, Arancini, Sour Poet

The pizzas were so delicious!! Ordered the Hot Rod Pepperoni with vegan pepperoni and the Casablanca. Both were amazing! The tiramisu dessert was also quite delicious ! The service was great. It was quite appreciated at the fact that, with our reservations they were able to accommodate seating that had back support due to my accident rather than the barstools. This was quite accommodating To top it all off the garlic sauce was phenomenal and blew my mind !
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

After seeing the reviews we decided to try this restaurant out as a group of 4 before heading to a concert. The portion sizes left a lot to be desired and with a bill of 200 dollars I was left unsatisfied with the quality that I received. Pizza was nothing special in terms of flavour. The drinks were pretty strong for their price which is the only positive.
Price per person
$50–60
Food: 2
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 3

With unique decor, an inclusive pizza/pasta focused menu (GF and vegan alternatives available), and tasty house wine (with many other wines and cocktails to choose from), the group of 4 that I dined with were really happy with our experience. The server was patient with our indecision and offered helpful suggestions. The atmosphere was casual but you would not feel out of place dressing up a bit. Would recommend trying Bar Poet!

Wonderful Italian Bar with amazing vibes. Good place for date or even for a get-together. Their cocktails are great. I personally recommend their Arancini & Spicy Rigatoni. The whole menu is worth trying. One of my favorite place in Toronto to go with my girlfriend.
Price per person
$30–40
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Mushroom Pizza, Arancini, Sour Poet, Microdose Pizza

I just came in for drinks during a walk on queen. I keep seeing this place and it always seems live and busy. Finally got the chance too try out some cocktails. They were quite delicious and packed with alcohol did the job. It was quite busy so our server wasn't available most of the time but i did not get to try the food. Maybe next time. Cheers
Price per person
$20–30
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5

First time in Bar Poet and YOU have to go! Hats off to chef Noah! It’s the cutest little spot with amazing food. The Tiramisu is to die for. IT WAS FIRE!! The service we received by Ariel was so amazing and we will definitely be back again. They made us feel welcomed and gave us an amazing experience!!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Absolutely loved this place! I cannot wait to come back again. The food is just so amazing. I actually enjoyed the food more than their drinks. I tried their lager which was smooth and tasted good. The one thing which I strongly recommend to try here is their tiramisu. You may need to make a reservation in advance since it’s very busy over the weekend!

This is my first time traveling to Toronto and my friend was showing me around Ossington, she got a reso at Bar poet and the food was phenomal. our server Rob was soo fun and great! the food recommendations were spot on! Definitely coming back!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

The manager Jaime is the BEST! She’s always very welcoming with a big smile. She also accommodates our last-minute reservations. The place is astonishing with great vibes
Price per person
$30–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Has good music and vibes. Highly recommend coming when it's dark so you can see the interior decor. Drinks were fairly priced and I highly encourage you to try their garlic fingers. A bartender at another bar recommended it to us and it did

This was my first time at Bar Poet. My expectations were beyond exceeded all in thanks to our amazing server, Rob! Rob gave us delicious recommendations and everything was so good. We ordered the Hot Rod pizza and Heroic dose pasta + creamy

We tried the spicy rigatoni shrimp pasta , three pigs pizza, tiger prawn pizza and the Casablanca pizza. The spicy pasta wasn't spicy and lacked sauce and prawn in both the pasta and pizza were not tiger prawns, they were much smaller. The

I brought family from out of town. I had a reservation for 8 PM, but didn’t get sat until 8:25. Our server brought shots for the inconvenience which was very nice. We ordered our drinks, which came out almost right away. The pizza is sooo

We sat at the bar and ordered peanut butter espresso martinis and Microdose(mushroom) pizza which was top notch. The bartender did not acknowledged us until 15 minutes of being there(I don’t know if this is how they do things) but then he

This is now my go-to spot when I'm in the area. Super inviting atmosphere. Sometimes it's busy but have always found a spot during lunchtime. Came in here for this first time a few weeks ago and was greeted by a friendly face that made a

The reason I'm giving the atmosphere a 4 is because I felt it was a little dark and was a little difficult to see the menu. However, our waiter, Jordan, was absolutely knowledgeable with the menu and suggested great drinks. The food was

Delicious orders! Will come back Staff are friendly and accomodating , and knowledgable. Cute vibes and Music Best pizza in city? Mostly high chairs there are also few booths . Yus outdoor patio looks nice will def come back again! More

The ambiance at Bar Poet is indeed majestic and magnificent. I love the drinks, specially the Juliet rose and Peanut butter Espresso martini. Thank you for your outstanding service
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Great lively bar with arcade games and decent pizza. There’s usually a live DJ playing music. This place is great for groups. Make sure to bring coins if you’re going to play the arcade games. Service is a bit slow sometimes but it’s

Bar Poet is incredibly charming! Enjoying a drink there is such a cute experience, and the vibe is perfect. My friend and I absolutely loved it – a must-visit spot! More

Amazing food! The place is beautiful and worthy. Good option for celebration or hangout with friends. The dip of garlic and honey is unbelievable ✨