Black Swan Tavern — Restaurant in Toronto

The Black Swan is one of those pubs that looks better from the outside than it feels on the inside. The pub sign is honestly the highlight—it has character and charm that sadly isn’t reflected once you step through the door.

What you’ll mostly notice are the “regulars” smoking out front, a crowd that skews older and frankly gives off strong “alcoholism” vibes. Inside, the atmosphere feels tired, and the space doesn’t seem to have been maintained properly in quite some time. Rather than drawing in a lively, sociable crowd, it leans heavily toward the opposite.

For what it is, you’d expect bargain prices, but surprisingly, the drinks aren’t particularly cheap. Unfortunately, the quality of what’s offered doesn’t make up for the lack of value. Overall, The Black Swan feels like a place coasting on its sign and history rather than offering a welcoming or worthwhile pub...

Got here the bartender no greeting, no hello, no thank you and no welcome. I asked her for the drink menu, she asked me to go have a look at the tap beer name other side of the bar. She asked me to pay right away without a please!! Miserable woman. Even she didn’t give me the receipt! When I asked she seems embarrassed saying “ehhhhhhh!!! Then she gave another customer’s receipt And guess what? The bar is empty!!! How the owner can put this creature behind the bar and trusted her!!!! At the end she turned me her back without asking if I want another drink!!! She served 2 peoples the 2nd one just came in and still didn’t ask if I wanted another drink!! See the sequence of the pictures. I have to leave BORING...

Love the people who run this joint because they are big supporters of local musicians, and because they are genuinely nice people who put no pressure on their customers to spend more money. It's an accepting, easygoing atmosphere, and I strongly encourage anyone thinking about grabbing a few drinks at a bar in this area to go to The Black Swan. As they don't have much in the way of food, they don't mind if you bring your own. I did this, and they did not...