Victory Cafe

Bar, Eatery

440 Bloor St W
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1X5
Canada

(416) 551-8376 | map
victorycafe.ca
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.83
Reviews:
8
Ratings:
13
pDev:
10.7%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by eberesford:
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Rated by eberesford from Canada (ON)

3.83/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.5
An old favourite regrettably now closed due to redevelopment. Hope it will te-emerge somewhere.
Apr 27, 2018
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.73 by kevinlater from Canada (ON)

Jan 05, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by yancot from Canada (ON)

Mar 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Dee13 from Canada (ON)

Feb 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by RevCraig from Canada (ON)

Jan 21, 2014
Photo of marcday
Reviewed by marcday from England

2.55/5  rDev -33.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2.5 | service: 2 | selection: 3 | food: 2.5
The server was not watching what was going on. I almost died of thirst a few times, especially as it was hot outside. You're also asked to queue at the front of house for a table, but it takes someone quite a while to ask you what you're after (I was on my own; seated as soon as I was asked!). Having a guest stand there like a lemon isn't the best way to treat a customer on first impression.

The staff are almost too laid back the're falling behind. How about being a bit more laid forward and watching what's going on? It isn't tricky. You might also get a tip next time.

Beer selection is fine. Quality is good. Well kept cellar judging by the taste. Nice array of local taps. Enough to keep me busy for a few hours.

Food - OK. You go there for the beer and a cheap eat. Nothing gourmet about it, but I'm not going there for a Michelin starred Duck a L'Orange.
Jul 21, 2011
Photo of TheSevenDuffs
Reviewed by TheSevenDuffs from Canada (ON)

3.65/5  rDev -4.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 3
A nice little bar tucked away off the main streets while still being right near a major intersection. A really nice and really big patio.

Excellent craft beer selection, with about 10 different offerings on tap. Disappointed to get there and find out that there was no cask tap that night.

Service was good and friendly but a little bit slow.

Food was decent - more like bar/pub food. Definitely a place to go to for the beer. I would go back here and I probably will.

Very reasonable pint prices as well, especially given the location and downtown Toronto comparables.
Jun 08, 2010
Photo of cratez
Reviewed by cratez from Canada (ON)

4/5  rDev +4.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Updated 2020 review: Have been here several times since this new incarnation opened in 2017.

Tried the following beers on my last visit:
Town Levon Saison (draft)
Folly Trapped in Time (draft)
High Park Across the Pond ESB (cask)

All were drinking well. Service ranges from decent to good on most nights, food is above average (I’m partial to the pizza), and the beer selection is solid. My wife and I also really like the classic pub atmosphere – casual, comfortable, and conversational with a long dark wood bar and some games on the flatscreens. Overall, we prefer this revived version of Victory to the old location, and it’s among the handful of locals that we come to regularly. Worth a stop. (4 / 5)

Original 2009 review: Holy pretentious Batman! Came here after a show on Sunday and was very disappointed. First of all, there's nowhere to sit. Took a while to get some service, and when we did we got some lumber jack-looking goofball with a big chip on his shoulder. Upon asking, "what do you have on cask?" the server responded, "pfft...I don't know," then proceeded to cater to his hipster friends in the corner. Eventually I managed to get a pint of Durham Red Dragon, which was delicious. Didn't try any of the food because the kitchen was closed when we wanted to eat. The seats in our booth were ripped out of place and would lift each time we got up or moved forward. Basically this bar is a dump packed full of snobby U of T students. Good traits? Hmm...there's a solid beer selection (Duggan #9, Hop Addict, King Pils) and drinks are cheap. That's about it. I would say avoid Victory unless you're one of the insider locals who likes to sneer at 'intruders.' A parochial enclave...go to Volo instead! (2.15 / 5)
Dec 30, 2009
Photo of bobsy
Reviewed by bobsy from Canada (ON)

3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 5
Nice quiet bar with an excellent patio, which feels nestled in a leafy residential neighbourhood, despite being mere moments from the heart of the Annexe. The inside looks a little tired on this sunny afternoon and could probably do with a new coat of paint and a bit of a clean, although I'm sure this would all be obscured had the place been busier. The patio is the recommended option if the weather allows.

About 10 taps of good quality local beer, but sadly out of cask at the time of our visit. The County Durham and Denison's weisse were both in fine form. The server was competent, but not exceptional or overly friendly (kinda distracted). Ridiculously huge food portions, with flavour to match the size. Big plus points for that. The pulled pork was nice, as was the veggie burger. Awesome fries come with some sort of cheesy mayo dip.

Cheapest good beer I've found in Toronto, with our pints clocking in at $4.95.

Revisited with friends, and we got to sit inside. The place was heaving, and didn't really look as bad as I thought it would with all the extra people in there... could still do with a reno though. I'd also like to add that we had a different server... the guy who works the bar. He did a very good job of making sure we were taken care of. The whole experience has increased my opinion of the place.
Oct 27, 2008
Photo of allergictomacros
Reviewed by allergictomacros from Canada (ON)

4/5  rDev +4.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Cute little place off the main road in Mirvish village. Wouldn't have even thought to look here if I didn't read about it elsewhere. Nice, relaxed atmosphere, but didn't knock my socks off. Kind of a long, narrow bar with patio in front. Not a fan of this layout myself as the wind blows the cigarette smoke from the patio right into the bar area.

Prices are about par for the course and the food I did have was fairly good. Menu is not extensive though. All taps were micros, and there was one cask. Beers were served with a proper head, but IMO a little too cold.

A good neighbourhood stop for a pint but not a destination per se.
Jul 02, 2008
Photo of Sammy
Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

3.85/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3
In the heart of Mirvish Village,if you look several blocks you can find parking. Eight taps on and no cask when I visited, with small quantities. Some of the trendier beers, I would call this the fifth best Toronto place to visit. Most servers do not know much about the beers, but are friendly and trained to pour. A good sized patio and long bar, but overall a village/blue collar environment. Lots of couples. Not much in bottles and the little food I had was average. Tight inside for seating. Being north perimeter of downtown, relatively convenient for me.

The new location is entirely different vibe and quieter and classier, however a bit harder to get great taps now from small breweries.
Aug 12, 2007
Photo of crwills
Reviewed by crwills from Canada (ON)

4.03/5  rDev +5.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
Visited this place for the first time with a friend recently. I actually hadn't heard of it before finding it on the Web a few days before, but I'm glad I did. It's located on a quiet little strip near Honest Ed's, next to a few other restaurants. We arrived rather early (around 6pm) and it was virtually empty inside, with a few people on the patio. We sat inside, and received great service from a (somewhat hyperactive) waiter, who took drink orders by yelling from the bar across the room. Hey, character!

Lots of great local micros on tap here, and we were very happy to try a bunch. I had a Grand River Galt Knife Lager and Black Oak Summer Saison on tap, and a Durham Hop Head IPA on cask, all of which were firsts for me. All beers were fresh, tasty, and poured at the right temperature.

My friend and I both had the burgers, which were fine, and I had the sweet potato fries, which were excellent (especially with what I think was a house-made dip). Service remained good even as the place got (very) crowded over the next few hours. I imagine it would be pretty hectic on the weekend (this was a Tuesday night).

Quite reasonable prices. Was about $70 for two meals and six pints, including tax and 20% tip. I'll definitely be back!
Jul 24, 2007
Photo of Viggo
Reviewed by Viggo from Canada (ON)

4.2/5  rDev +9.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Been meaning to check this place out for a long time. Finally was in the area, and decided to stop in for some pints and dinner. In an old building just off the corner of Bloor and Markham, patio area out front which was closed because its January. Not very large inside, but very cozy. Lots of dark polished wood and stained glass, artwork on the walls, small booths along one wall and a very long bar. Think old school British pub going upscale. Small menu but good, not trying to do too much. I had their cheeseburger which was one of the best I've ever had, freshly made. I believe they put some curry powder in the burgers, amazing flavour. Great fries too. About 12 taps, plus a cask engine. Cask beer was very fresh, and the best shape I've ever seen this particular beer in, very nice, perfect temperatur. Prices were very reasonable. Would definately go back and recommend this place to anyone looking for Ontario microbrews.
Jan 19, 2007
Victory Cafe in Toronto, ON, Canada
Place rating: 3.83 out of 5 with 13 ratings