Sin & Redemption

Sin & RedemptionSin & Redemption
Sin & RedemptionSin & Redemption
Bar, Eatery

136 McCaul St
Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1W2
Canada

(416) 640-9197 | map
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.88
Reviews:
10
Ratings:
16
pDev:
12.63%
View: Place Reviews
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Ratings by Penguins66:
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Reviewed by Penguins66 from Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +13.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Sin & Redemption--best name for a pub across the street from a church!

It probably helped that the pub was empty when we came here around 5:00 on a Saturday evening. We had just completed a 4-hour bicycle tour around downtown and probably looked out of place in our sweaty shorts and t-shirts. Despite this, and the fact that they were in the midst of a shift change, service was just about perfect. The first bartender as well as his replacement were friendly and provided good recommendations. Beer selection was among the best we've seen. We especially liked that they used not only the proper glassware, but the proper BRANDED glassware whenever they could.

Ambiance was very European--lots of wood and tight quarters. Had the pub been busy, we likely would have been sitting on top of our neighbor.

My wife & I split a chicken flatbread, which was tasty. Prices were reasonable for the area and caliber of beer.

The only negative, which we are finding increasingly common, is that they were out of several beers we may have wanted to try.
Jun 30, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of cratez
Reviewed by cratez from Canada (ON)

2.5/5  rDev -35.6%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 2.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 2.5 | food: 2.5
What I had: A bottle of Petrus Oud Bruin, since they were out of the other beers that I ordered (Rogue Brutal IPA, Ommegang Abbey Ale, Bacchus Oud Bruin, Vanderghinste, and others).

What I liked: The server was reasonably friendly and apologized for being out of so many beers.

What I disliked: Beyond the fact that the beer menu is a farce, with most of the rare/interesting options out of stock, this is one of the only bars I’ve come across where nobody actually sits at the bar. Instead, the vast majority of people sit at tables, some of which are crammed so close to the bar stools you wonder whether they’re actively trying to discourage patrons from sitting at the bar. This confounding setup leads me to believe that the owners and management do not understand what makes a good/welcoming beer bar. And perhaps they don’t care.

Would I go back? Absolutely not. Sin & Redemption is a complete sham, and the fact that it currently ranks among Toronto’s top 20 beer bars is embarrassing. Avoid.

Overall Rating: 50
Jan 30, 2020
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Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +10.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25
Went to admire the nearby contemporary art museum and design school and found this gem by complete urban serendipity... just around the corner. A funny name for a bar and even funnier explanation on their website. Best yet, I got a sophisticated beer list when I was just looking for Canadian brewers I'd never had. The service was patient with me as I asked for a few of their obscure offerings and they were out (including the Westvlerten.) But no worries. I had my beer; refreshed to take on the summer sun.

I wish I had another day in Toronto to work through their list. But, I certainly hope to return to this city soon and Sin & Redemption will be on my list... maybe even my mind.
Aug 12, 2018
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Reviewed by eberesford from Canada (ON)

3.63/5  rDev -6.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.5
Popped in for lunch when visiting the AGO - Belgian themed - decent selection of European beers but would have liked to see some local examples of style. Food tasty and filling.
Apr 27, 2018
 
Rated: 3.98 by bumchilly25 from Canada (BC)

Aug 07, 2017
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Rated by kevinlater from Canada (ON)

4.28/5  rDev +10.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
a nice dim haunt with a large, impressive europe-centric tap and bottle list
Jun 24, 2016
 
Rated: 3.91 by OldBrewer from Canada (ON)

Mar 13, 2016
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Reviewed by jjboesen from Maryland

4.48/5  rDev +15.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.25
This is a cool little European-style pub around the corner from the Ontario Gallery of Art. It is very reminiscent of a pub one might find off the Grand Place in Brussels or Antwerp. They offer a wonderful selection of drafts from Belgium, Germany, Holland and the UK. No American beers, however. The service was exceptional and the food - Bavarian Sausage Platter - was tasty and filling. A great place to redeem your sin with a chalice of Leffe brown.

Next door is the Village Idiot Pub, which is a sister bar (along with Town Crier Pub, which I reviewed previously.)
Jul 28, 2015
 
Rated: 4.18 by RevCraig from Canada (ON)

Dec 27, 2014
Photo of MarcatGSB
Reviewed by MarcatGSB from Michigan

3.67/5  rDev -5.4%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75
Sin and Redemption is an interesting place. Cool vibe and lay out. I like the reclaimed furniture.

It's got a very similar beer list as next door, if not exactly the same. Maybe some of the taps are slightly different, but not sure. Either way, solid tap list, but nothing really special. If you are looking for more unique Ontario brews, neither this or Village Idiot will fulfill your needs.

Had some special bottles, some things you won't find other places, but they were very expensive. I'd say both of these places lay just outside the top 5 of Toronto, but if you're walking by and thirsty, you won't be disappointed.
Jan 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by MaxOhle from Illinois

Dec 25, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by toronto_beermaven from Canada (ON)

Dec 11, 2013
Photo of PeerlessMark
Reviewed by PeerlessMark from Canada (ON)

4.14/5  rDev +6.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
I didn't eat here and stumbled onto the place not expecting the impressive bottled beer selection of awesome Belgians that you just can't get at the LCBO or most anywhere else in the city.

Trappists Rochefort 10! Wow first time I've been able to get my hands on this. Well done Sin and Redemption. I had their last bottle of Orval for $6, if I recall correctly the Rochefort 10 was $10 and was the most expensive bottle on the menu. Lots of other options for around $6.50 which is very impressive given that they've been special ordered by the bar which is not an easy accomplishment in Ontario.

The prices for draft beers were extremely reasonable but not as impressive as what was available in bottles. The server was quite knowledgeable but you may want to pour the bottle yourself and know your glassware if you want the best result for yourself.
Dec 26, 2011
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Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

3.86/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Open for a couple years, this place has really found its groove. While not necessarily at the forefront of the latest Canadian hoppy beers, its niche is a very nice European style bar with a terrific Belgian tap and bottle list. People of all ages were here, without blaring music, in three large rooms (there is also a private party room) and comfortable seating.So even though crowded by 11 pm, not competing with loud music allowed for good conversation. Small bar area and unfortunately hot, no one stayed there. I counted about two dozen taps, mostly Belgian offerings, with several German as well. Prices were higher than needed to be as not prime downtown real estate, but still reasonable. Bottles perhaps even more so, with Rochefort 8 and 10 always available. the appropriate glassware very appreciated. Staff were very nice but also aggressive in checking at least every 10 minutes for drinks.
Aug 17, 2011
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Reviewed by Rijtjeshuis from Canada (ON)

3.8/5  rDev -2.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5
I actually worked at this place for a few months back in undergrad and it's what got my love affair with beer kicked off. I've come back a few times since.

The atmosphere is good. Kinda gets a Belgian/pub/lounge/bistro feel with enough space that waiting is typically avoided. You usually get late 20s-to-early-30s crowd.

Selection is good for the taps (they have 32-34), Most are Belgian or German and a few English ones. Their Belgian selection is better than the others, which are pretty standard. Bottle selection is almost all mainstream, although they've been getting some new guest bottles that are pretty rare (like a Flanders Red, Saisson, etc).

The food is great. Some awesome Belgian frites and some richer, Belgian inspired main courses.

Worth a visit, for sure.
Jul 19, 2011
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Reviewed by bobsy from Canada (ON)

3.43/5  rDev -11.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 2 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Newish place opened on McCaul Street by the owner of the nearby Village Idiot Pub. This is going for a different vibe than the VI, and seems to have a better beer lineup. Its a little bit lounge, little bit pub, but pulls it off fairly well. On a Thursday night its packed full of hipsters, which eventually thins to an older crowd. Decent enough list of beers - some standard macro, some of the more mainstream Belgians, and the odd gem. I plumped for the Koningshoeven Witte, Dubbel and Fuller's Chiswick Bitter. All were in good knock, although the Fuller's really suffers from not being on cask. I was happy with the quality and the food was also very solid. Not quite gastropub, but a bit of a cut above.

Service, though, was spotty. At the bar it was fine, but once we were on the floor our server repeatedly forgot to come by our table, and then proceeded to charge us for a drink we never bought, and then argue that we were wrong. That's no way to run a business, and as busy as it was on a Thursday evening you won't be getting too many repeat customers with that attitude.

I'm undecided. The beer and food was solid enough, but I like a lineup with some flux, and I don't expect that from here. Recommended if you're after trying one of the rarer Koningshoeven's - if not skip it and head to one of the better bars downtown.
Mar 06, 2009
Sin & Redemption in Toronto, ON, Canada
Place rating: 3.88 out of 5 with 16 ratings