South Shore Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Toronto

The Wyck Recommendation: South Shore Bar & Grill Rating: 3.7/5 When Etobicoke Became Belgrade (For One Glorious Night)

Intro Scene It started like any Saturday should—with low expectations and clean shoes. We wandered into South Shore looking for a beer, maybe a warm barstool and something fried. Instead, we walked straight into the Balkan version of Studio 54: bodies swaying, a saxophone wailing like it just lost custody, and the kind of chaotic joy you can’t schedule. We didn’t speak the language. We didn’t need to.

What Was Ordered Just a couple of Madri lagers, cold and indifferent. The kind of beer that doesn’t ask questions, just fills the space between you and whatever’s unfolding on stage. Food? Next time, if the music ever lets us sit still long enough to chew.

Service Commentary One bartender. Forty orders. Zero flinches. She moved like a surgeon at closing time—focused, precise, immune to the fact that someone just started dancing in front of the Guinness tap. No small talk, no shade. Just vibes and volume.

Vibe Check The front of the room was all Serbian aunties doing slow-motion shoulder rolls like they’d been summoned by Slavic moonlight. Men lingered at the back like Balkan security detail—arms crossed, heads nodding, beers held like relics. The band? Loud, tight, and unapologetically traditional. You didn’t need to understand it to get it—you just had to let it hit your ribs.

The Space Itself It’s all wood and wires. A long bar for leaning. A stage built for heartbreak. Neon signs glowing like they’ve seen things. And then there's the bathroom—where a sad leather chair lives between two dying plants, and a Sharpied worm in a fedora whispers secrets from the stall door. If that worm wrote a novel, I'd buy it.

About the Neighborhood This is Brown’s Line—not Belgrade, not Queen West—but for a couple of hours, it became a different country. The kind where nobody’s on their phone, everyone knows the words, and parking is free. A miracle.

Hits & Misses ✓ Live music that restructured my DNA ✓ Madri lager, no frills, no regrets ✓ Dancing that felt like folklore and arthritis ✓ Bathroom art that deserves a gallery

✗ Bathroom plants: one cough away from the grave ✗ Didn't eat (but didn’t need to) ✗ If you're looking for quiet, you're already lost

Final Verdict South Shore isn’t a bar—it’s a portal. One minute you're in Etobicoke, the next you’re surrounded by tambourines, basslines, and women who dance like the music owes them money. It’s wild. It’s warm. It’s weird in the way only real places are. And if you don’t like it, that’s fine. The worm doesn’t want to talk to you anyway.

Perfect For

Getting Balkan-level day drunk

Thinking you...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at South Shore Bar and Grille, and I must say that it was an incredible experience from start to finish. Not only was the food absolutely delicious, but our server Michelle truly made our evening unforgettable.

From the moment we arrived, Michelle greeted us with a warm smile and a friendly demeanor that instantly put us at ease. Throughout the evening, she went above and beyond to ensure that we had everything we needed, from making excellent recommendations off the menu to ensuring that our glasses were always full.

What really stood out to me, however, was the genuine care and attention that Michelle showed to each and every one of her tables. Despite the fact that the restaurant was bustling with activity, she always made us feel like we were her top priority and took the time to check in with us regularly to make sure we were enjoying ourselves.

Overall, I would highly recommend South Shore Bar and Grille to anyone looking for a fantastic dining experience. And if you have the pleasure of being served by Michelle, count yourself lucky - she truly is an amazing server who goes above and beyond to make sure her customers are happy. Thank you, Michelle, for making our...

Decided to come here after visiting the dentist since it's right beside their office. The restaurant was completely empty, I ordered fish and chips with a Pepsi. I noticed the woman was pouring the Pepsi out of a 2l bottle which I found completely strange. Anyways the food came and the entire plate was wet with water I'm assuming and the fries were completely soggy. I had to call the server and complain about it. She apologized left and then came back after five mins or so with a new set of fries. I then ordered another Pepsi and when it came time to pay the bill the lady was like I apologize for the error and we will not charge you for the second refill!! I find it odd as other establishments give you free refillls. She expected me to pay another $3 for Pepsi out of a bottle. Long story short even on the slowest day they manage to make a complete disaster with my first experience. Poor service...