Someone once described the Communist’s Daughter as “the perfect hole in the perfect wall,” says sommelier Jamie Drummond, who picks and pours wine at much-adored chef Jamie Kennedy’s restaurants. The Daughter is one of the last honest bars in an increasingly scene-driven inner city—which is what attracts Drummond, one of Toronto’s reluctant yet ebullient trendsetters.

“I’ll quite often just pop in for a drink and sit by myself reading The Walrus or Harper’s,” he says. “Strangely enough, even when I go in alone to read, I’ll always end up getting into a conversation with someone. It’s welcoming to all levels of social enthusiasm.”

Patrons come for inexpensive and varied local micro-brews, a joyously eclectic jukebox—from Television to AC/DC to Broken Social Scene—and the lovingly homemade pickled eggs. “I always take friends from out of town there—and they always ask me to take them back there each time they return to Toronto... I even took my mother there, and she fell in love with the place, as everyone was so lovely to her.” 

DOOR

“Never lineups, but it can get a wee bit busy at times... and it’s a wee place.”

DÉCOR

“Elegantly bohemian, I suppose. Portuguese sports bar interior decked out like the quintessential Canadian rec room.”

DRESS

“You’re just as likely to see boho parents with cute-as-button children, good old boyos who smell slightly suspect, reclusive musicians and film stars, retired bikers, curious tourists, local artists, Queen West hipsters, tattooed lover boys and devilishly attractive girls who know their music. I’m pretty sure Leonard Cohen could fit in here quite happily.”

DRINK

“Always good beer on tap—like McLean’s Pale Ale—and an interesting selection in bottle. Not really the place to go for uber-fancy drinks, although they make some splendid cocktails.” 

The Communist’s Daughter is open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

photo: knifeplease