Tall, Dark and Handsome: the Dominion Keeps Getting Better With Age
May 19, 2017 by City Events
Filed under CitySocial, Event tips, Event Venues, Ontario, Toronto, Uncategorized
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Toronto’s oldest landmark pub, The Dominion, was first established in 1889 by Robert Davies, the third son of one of the most prominent families in the history of Toronto brewing. He founded the Dominion Brewery, in competition with his brother who started The Don Brewery, just a little bit down from where he would later open the pub and hotel. The brewery is now a heritage site called Dominion Square. The Dominion Brewery produced internationally acclaimed lagers and ales for over 60 years. By the time of Davies death in 1916, he had become one of Toronto’s wealthiest residents.
The original building still stands today at 500 Queen St. E as the Dominion Pub and Kitchen. In keeping with its history, the interior has been stripped down to the original bricks and is decorated in with dark tufted leather couches, wood paneling, and wire lights, it’s easy to feel as if you’ve stepped into a speakeasy. The bar is stacked with 24 craft taps, lots of bourbons, plenty of spirits for hand-crafted cocktails, and wine.
(Left) Front Dining and Lounge area with rich tufted leather seating (Right) Fully Stacked Bar. Photo courtesy of Dominion Pub and Kitchen
The Robert Davies Room, named in honour of the man mentioned above, is an entirely private room at the south end of the building with raised windows facing Queen St. E., low and high seating options, and large mirrors on one side of the room that reflects a painting of the an original Dominion Brewing Co.’s Club Ale label on the exposed brick on the opposite side. There is two screen in the room with connection capabilities. The Robert Davies room is perfect for smaller gathers and celebrations and can accommodate up to 60 guests for both cocktail or seated receptions.
(Left) North View if Robert Davies Room (Right) South View of Robert Davies Room. Photos courtesy of Dominion Pub and Kitchen
The Back Dining Room is a semi-private and rectangular space with a stage on the back north wall that would be perfect for presentations, performances, speeches, or a moderately sized party for any reason. There are cozy bench seating and warm wood paneling that the runs the length of the room on one side facing original archways to the rest of the restaurant. The Back Dining Room can hold up to 100 standing, or 70 – 80 guests seated, depending on table arrangement.
Back Room View from the Stage, Photo courtesy of Dominion Pub
Go for glory and host a party for up to 200 guests with a whole venue buyout.
If you want to check out the spaces beforehand, every Friday and Saturday night the Dominion hosts live music. Check out their amazing food during at Beats n’ Brunch on Sundays from 11 – 3 p.m., or check out their exciting and surprising menu here (which can be customized for events).
For booking information: Events@Dominionpub.ca or call: 416-366-5555
Written By:
Paula McDines
A Fresh Distillery Opens in The Historic Toronto Distillery District
May 4, 2017 by City Events
Filed under Event tips, Event Venues, Toronto, Uncategorized
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Hydroponic Herb Garden above the Bar at Spirits of York Co.
On Thursday, May 11tth, the Spirit of York Distillery Co. will open to the public offering their unique bottles of vodka and gin premium spirits. The small batches are being created using fresh spring water in stainless steel tanks using only locally-sourced ingredients.
The space is perfect for events. There is a large bar featured as the room’s centerpiece, with a three-tiered hydroponic fresh herb garden directly above it as well as a wall of botanicals and dried herbs used to infuse their spirits. A specialty bitters bar is ideal for interactive demonstrations, mixology training, innovation, and education for others who are as passionate about spirits as Spirit of York Co. is.
There are also other rooms perfect for private dining and Team building here is a unique idea for your team.
The space fits up to 150 people and has maintained the historic features of brick and beam from the original roots of Toronto’s distillery hub. Like many historic spaces, the venue has achieved a great mix of old and modern, with the lighting design and layout being a key feature. The Spirit of York Co. has brought back the art of distilling to the historic Distillery District with this contemporary ‘Spirits Hub’.
The Spirit of York will be exclusively available at their new location. But, keep your watch for their concoctions in the LCBO in the future. Perhaps at specialty cocktail bars, we can hope…
For more information visit:
Website: SpiritofYork.com
Instagram: @SpiritofYork
Twitter: @SpiritofYork
