Pub Crawl BACK

We all have a favourite pub, whether it's our after-work destination for a refreshing bevvy or meeting place for lively weekend fun. With their inviting, intimate settings, pubs put people at ease and naturally engage the art of socializing.

Whether for an office lunch celebration or out-of-the box corporate gathering, put a pub's venue attributes to work for your next event or meeting? Here are a few of our favourite event-friendly pub spots:

Mill St. Brew Pub
Historic neighbourhood, loads of elbow room, renowned beers…late last fall, the Distillery District's “local” jumped from brewery to brew-pub with over 6,000 sq. ft. of event-friendly space.

The venue prefers to keep the area around its 21-ft. bar open for regulars, but up to 150 guests can whoop it up in a cordoned-off back dining area. A rear patio can handle overflow.

Exposed brick walls, industrial ceilings, tall windows and gleaming wood accenting pull together for a distinctive pub-meets-loft design. Giant brew tanks remind that this is a working site producing the barley goodness destined for the popular “house” brand brewskies. Layer in beer knowledge with a tour and tasting led by Mill St.'s talented brewmaster. www.millstreetbrewpub.ca

 

PJ O'Brien Irish Pub & Restaurant
Tucked off Yonge, along Colborne Lane (King and Church area), this family-owned institution is often dubbed Toronto's “Cheers” with its traditional pub styling, real McCoy Irish hospitality and wide-flung cast of everyone-knows-your-name patrons. Main pub and dining area accommodates 110 for cocktails, but events can also host upstairs in the handsome Fireplace Bar (50 stand-up).

Last year, the bar extended into space next door, with a TV Restaurant Makeover crew pouring more than a pint of creativity into designing the new Pat Quinn Lounge (the moniker of the pub's owner, not P.Q. of Maple Leafs' notoriety!).

Antiqued honey woods, limestone brick accents, giant street-front windows and a beer-plus-martinis ambience offer an upscale-new-generation pub space. Capacity is 90 stand-up with ability to spill through the connecting alcove to PJ's for even larger groups. Lounge website coming soon. www.pjobrien.com

beerbistro
Okay, so this King and Yonge Street bar-restaurant isn't technically a pub. However, if pubs are defined as beer-focused destinations, then this upscale hotspot claims top pedigree with its extensive, worldly beer selection and delicious beer-influenced cuisine.

Chicly elegant and comfortably casual at the same time, the space still hints at the grand bank building it once was. The restaurant seats 70 with another 50 in the bar area. A handsome private dining room is ideal for receptions of up to 50. In summer, groups of up to 30 enjoy self-contained privacy on the patio.

A kitchen specialty is customized five-course event dinners featuring beer as an ingredient and a paired accompaniment that leaves standard pub fare in the dust. Tap the knowledge of co-owner Stephen Beaumont, an acclaimed beverage, food and travel writer-consultant to share a gourmand's perspective with your group. www.beerbistro.com and www.worldofbeer.com

Failte Irish Pub
Boasting the Irish word for “welcome” on its shingle, and many cosy nooks and crannies, this 6,000-sq.-ft. Mississauga pub is event central for both social and corporate occasions. The main floor-office tower exterior (in the shadow of Square One) downplays its pub leanings. Inside, though, say “Hello Ireland!” with dark woods, stained glass, Celtic bric-a-brac and lively atmosphere.

Winding around a magnificent central bar, groups of 12 to 358 can mix and match one of six areas boasting themed decor and names such as The Old Country Cottage (Capacity: 28 seated), Victorian Parlour (Capacity: 28 seated) and Liam Smyth's Grocery (Capacity: 12 seated with own private bar).

The Celtic Medieval room with main presentation stage and audio-visual accommodates 52 seated. Pull rooms together for larger private events. Heated, year-round patio seating for 80. www.failteirishpub.ca

Madison Avenue Pub
All hail “The Maddy!” The city's favourite watering hole in U of T's Annex area has matured over the years into four Victorian homesteads containing six British-style pubs with 12 bars, five multi-level patios (including one with 400-capacity), three kitchens and a 23-room boutique hotel.

Today's Madison Avenue Pub embraces its spirited origins and warm hospitality while offering dedicated on-site event coordination for a multitude of functions from social to corporate for up to 2,000 people (total pub capacity).

For self-contained working events, look to the main-floor's a-v equipped conference facilities for up to 60 people (fireplace and etched glass windows warm the corporate touch) and use other pub areas for breakouts. Monday to Wednesday, arrange for an under-one-roof pub dine-around with rooms and patios themed with food stations and entertainment. www.madisonavenuepub.com