Bar Hop — Restaurant in Toronto

This King Street Bar has a reputation for a grand selection of beers on tap. There is a cosy feeling with wood and dark furnishings. The lighting is dim and flattering, the atmosphere has a hip Toronto-ness to it without being overly polished.

There are sometimes specialty kasks that are available and noted on a chalk board. Their main attraction is that there are dozens of beers available on tap.

My server was friendly and attentive and was able to make recommendations based on our groups tastes. I asked for a less than common suggestion and was given a well balanced rich dark beer with a hearty porter-likeness and pecan undertones.

Overall their selection has enough variety to please even the pickiest beer drinker, choices of sours, stouts, porters, and domestic or foreign hops. Also note that they have a well stocked selection of liquor too. I would return for another visit to try some more of the less common beers from their extensive selection.

The only thing keeping me from giving 5 stars was that the manager that Saturday evening ( slick back ginger like hair, glasses and tattoo's ) could have been more courteous to his staff. Overhearing him sternly direct or correct his staff within earshot of customers seemed to diminish the vibe of the place. We would have stayed for more than one drink but felt that the impression to him was that our group was inconviently sized for the bar space. So maybe this is not the place to go if you are a group of 8 or more. Otherwise I would recommend this place...

This review is based on what I've experience lately at Bar Hop. This was my go-to for the past couple years, great service, cold beer and good food.

However, this has not been the case in my last few visits. I will say the food is still very good!

Service - The service has fell by a lot... They are quick to get you a table (if ones available) but the last few times I've sat and waited about 10 minutes for someone to take my drink order let alone bring it back to the table. Waiting 15 mins to get a beer in my hand at a craft beer tavern is a problem.

Also when I needed a re-fill I've had to wave the waiter's down to get there attention... It's frustrating.

There seems to be enough people working so I don't know what the problem is, but it is having a significant impact on the overall experience.

Beer Size - Now this is a big one for me, maybe not everyone loves beer as much as me... but they have downsized their pint glasses... It's a running joke that I call them "Barbie pints". Seriously, before each beer had its own serving size but their normal pints were 18-20oz. Now, every beer on the menu comes in 16oz (some 15oz!)... best part... for the same price!

I don't understand why they did this, sure maybe decrease the size on the $5 pint Sunday but to go and reduce the serving sizes of your beer and charge the same price... it just really rubs me the wrong way.

Again, this is one of my fav restaurants in my area, but my experiences lately seriously has me...

Service was terrible.

Went for buck a shuck and was initially seated and served a dozen oysters on arrival. When we tried to order another round a new waiter refused to serve us and, after attempting to order with him twice, told us on the third try that we actually had to order drinks in order to get our $1 oysters- which is written nowhere on the menu. If this was a stipulation, it should’ve been stated when we first sat down and inquired about the oysters. Not in the mood for drama, my boyfriend and I both ordered drinks (which were mediocre at best and cost us an extra $40 we did not plan or want to spend), only to still not be served our second round of oysters. The cherry on top was receiving our cheque and seeing that we were charged for both rounds of oysters.

I understand that cheap oysters are used to lure in customers and make a quick buck off drink sales. I’m at peace with that. However, I do not appreciate the backpedaling when there is no attempt to make customers aware of that as a requirement on the menu or before they order. I regret leaving a tip but unfortunately I have manners, unlike the server we fell pray to at this establishment.

Extremely...