Castro's Lounge — Attraction in Toronto

I was here last month, and endured a racist attack by a bartender’s adult son. I had been coming to Castro’s for about a year, and truly appreciated the bartender, Robyn. She was kind, and Castro’s was a fine place to enjoy musical talent. On Jan. 23rd, about half an hour after last call, Robyn made an error in judgement. She allowed her son, Connor, and a friend to storm into the bar, and they were served alcohol. They seemed to be agitated and high - they kept exiting and re-entering the establishment several times. My partner went out for a cigarette, and when I followed a few minutes later, I saw Connor calling my partner a homophobic slur and trying to steal his scarf. I asked Connor to stop and leave, and that’s when Connor began to call me a choice racist slur. I pulled out my phone to record this, and Connor instructed his friend to “chuck it”. Connor’s friend then grabbed my phone out of my hand, and threw it across the street. Connor then said: “she’ll never find it now”, and both men took off running.

I went back into Castro’s to tell Robyn to phone the police. I explained that her son and her son’s friend had just verbally assaulted both my partner and I, and then had thrown my phone across the street. Instead of helping, Robyn again made an ill-informed choice of telling me to leave the establishment, and that I had just misplaced my phone somewhere. Perhaps Robyn’s poor judgement was because she had been drinking all night, while working.

After an hour of searching the surrounding area, I managed to find my phone. My battery was dead from the cold, and the back glass panel of it was completely shattered from Connor’s friend tossing it across the street. When I got back home to charge it, I realized that the video I took of Connor’s attack on me had saved. I now have a video documenting this altercation.

It would be wonderful if the owner(s) of Castro’s could connect with me to review this video footage. It is unfortunate that I was attacked and assaulted at an establishment that I had loved to visit in the past. I would love to give the owner(s) of Castro’s an opportunity to make this right, as I do feel that what I endured was a direct consequence of their staff’s failure.

Thank...

I’m visiting Canada from England and had one of the most unexpectedly rude experiences I’ve ever had while travelling.

I stopped at Castro’s in Toronto and ordered a single drink. Service was nothing out of the ordinary a quick pour and that’s it. When I went to pay, the card machine prompted me to leave a tip. I chose not to, as tipping isn’t the norm back home for something as basic as one drink at the bar, and frankly, there wasn’t any real service beyond the transaction.

When I went to order a second drink, the bartender looked me in the eye and told me I wouldn’t be served because I didn’t tip on the first one.

I was completely sober, polite, and respectful. I didn’t cause any trouble. But I was still denied service simply for not leaving extra money on top of the already overpriced drink. I didn’t think that kind of treatment was even legal but more importantly, I didn’t expect it in Canada, a country known around the world for its hospitality and friendliness.

Unfortunately, that reputation took a hit for me that night. I came here excited to explore, meet people, and experience the famously warm Canadian culture but instead, I was made to feel unwelcome over something that should be a personal choice, not an obligation.

If refusing service to sober, paying customers is what tipping culture has become, something’s gone wrong. Tourists shouldn’t have to worry about being shamed or denied just because we come from places with different customs.

Won’t be returning and sadly, this left a bad impression on what should have been a...

I've been in Toronto for on and off for 20 years, grew up in the bar scene and am an industry member that's b.o.h. and I got to say this has got to be my ultimate favourite bar in Toronto to end up for drinks with friends or simply by myself. The thing is even if you do go by yourself, you're not drinking that way for long. The staff is exceptional, the owner in the brief few times I've caught a glimpse is super warm and friendly. The regulars are people I have grown to adore and get giddy level of excitement to run into when we see each other on the street out front. Think of being away on a trip, and getting to return home, it's that level or warm and inviting....plus there's great live music and local talent there. I recently brought a friend there and he was impressed by how nice and friendly everyone was despite it being packed. I can't recommend this place highly enough and even if you're not regularly in the east end it's worth a trip for a cozy spot to enjoy a drink,some great tunes and even make a new friend. 5 stars...