Fan Duel Toronto Raptors

My Quest To Find The Best Raptor Game Bar in Toronto

Maybe we should do a viewing party at one, when Barry determines a winner.

Watching a Raptors game at the ACC is great. There’s nothing like a live sporting event.

The next best thing is watching the game at a bar. In some cases it can be just as good if not better. The beer is cheaper at bars. The beer is served throughout the entire game at bars. There’s more food options at the bar and when you get your food you’ve got a table to set it on as opposed to your lap. If you can find a bar filled with other Raptor fans it can make for a great experience.

During this season I’m making it a point to get out and explore more bars showing Raptor games in the city. I don’t have a wife and kids, I love the Raptors and bars so what else am I gonna do?

Everyone needs a reason to live. As a single man in my late thirties I can’t think of a better one than finding the ultimate Toronto bar to watch a Raptor game. I can evaluate them based on some generic criteria, post my thoughts here on Raptors Republic and embrace a real sense of purpose, knowing that I’m providing valuable knowledge to other Raptor fans.

My journey began on Tuesday November 15. The Raptors were playing the Cavs and I was looking to catch the game with the voice of Talking Raptors, Monty Scott.

We were in the east end of the city and wanted to have a couple drinks and some food. I’d been to a bar in the area during the summer to watch some Jays games and really enjoyed it. We decided to check it out.

Bar Name:  KT (Kid’s Table)
Address:      682 Queen East (Just west of Broadview)

Criteria:       Atmosphere
Grade:          A+

First things first: the night we were out there was also a Leafs game happening. Toronto residents know that the Leafs trump most sports in local bars, particularly with their current roster of exciting rookies. As we entered KT the two main TVs had the Raptor game on with sound while the Leafs game was featured on the secondary TVs on mute. Great start to the night. The bartender could punch me in the face and I’d still be happy to be there.

The atmosphere is pretty unique at KT. It’s a sports bar but doesn’t have a traditional sports bar feel. You won’t see fans with foam fingers and face painting but there are definitely guys and gals in jerseys and team shirts. Patrons cheer out loud during the game, there’s the odd high five after a great play and some good-natured table slapping when things get intense.

As mentioned earlier, KT plays the Raptor games with the sound on throughout the room. This is awesome. When bars do this you know they’re not messing around. The game is the focus and it’s a great way to bring the fans together.

KT is a small bar and probably holds less than seventy people. There’s four giant, strategically placed flat screen TVs and because it’s a small space, four is all you need. There isn’t a seat in the place where you can’t see the game. There’s exposed brick, a couple of jerseys hung up and giant windows that open up to Queen Street. I tried to take some pictures but have yet to conquer camera phone technology so I pulled some from their Twitter feed.

kt1

The main TVs are on the wall behind the guy who took the above picture

kt2

Criteria:       Food
Grade:          A+

The food is glorious. KT is a sister bar to Aft Kitchen & Bar and uses their menu and kitchen. Aft has some of the best smokehouse meat and sandwiches in the city. The night of the Raptors-Cavs they featured a special of two pounds of smoked wings and seasoned fries for $20. They provide specialty sauces for dipping when you get your order too. I’ve never experienced the joy of becoming a father but I bet it feels a lot like when I ate the first wing.

For those looking for more of a snack option, KT does have it’s own small fryer setup where they make unique creations including the Frito Pie. It’s a bag of Frito Corn chips covered in melted cheese and served like nachos. Pretty awesome.

Criteria:       Drinks
Grade:          A

They have them. Microbrews and craft beers including Wellington, Amsterdam, Sweetgrass, Side Launch, Ace Hill and Riverside. Custom cocktails and traditional well drinks. The majority of people were drinking tallboys the night of the game. The odd whiskey shot was served too.

Criteria:       Staff
Grade:          A+

Everyone seems genuinely happy to be working at KT and passionate about their business and the Raptors. There’s a laid back feel but everyone is professional and efficient at getting quality food and drinks out in a timely manner. They’ll make friendly conversation but won’t force anything. They seem to have a decent amount of basketball knowledgeable too. The guys working the night we were there were watching the game when they had time to and genuinely cheering for the Raptors along with the patrons.

Criteria:       Clientele
Grade:          A

This was the first time I’d watched a Raptors game at KT but even during the Jays games there’s a good mix of guys and ladies hanging out. Everyone seems have their shit together. They’re dressed casual but not sloppy. You can tell everyone has a job. Maybe not a Bay Street job but something that comes with benefits. They for sure go to the dentist on a regular basis.

Criteria:       Location
Grade:          B+

Queen East is Toronto’s best kept secret. While some of us were sad to see Jilly’s go the new boutique hotel that’s replacing it will rejuvenate the area. Queen and Broadview is far enough from the west that it’s free of hipsters and far enough from the east that the young couples from the Beaches avoid it too. It’s perfect right now.

Criteria:       Price
Grade:          B

The food is premium quality and the prices reflect that. It’s a bit of a hit to the wallet compared to a traditional pub but the quality and portion sizes of the food make it worthwhile. Drink prices are pretty standard for Toronto.

drinks

Criteria:       Bathrooms
Grade:          A

It’s a single bathroom but because the bar is small it’s usually available. Even when the place is packed the longest lineup I’ve seen has been three people. Most importantly, it’s clean. Very clean, spacious and features a nice picture of a sexy, single, 38 year old Raptor fan above the sink.

Overall Grade:       A

I don’t make this call lightly. I’m gonna be checking out other bars in the city this season but KT has really set the standard. It’s quickly become my go-to spot for Raptor games. If they ever hired an inflatable Raptor mascot I’d never leave. Definitely check it out for an upcoming game.