My quest to find the ultimate Raptors bar in Toronto continues. After the last post on KT someone emailed me with a recommendation for a bar on Dundas near Dovercourt called The Dock Ellis. What a name. I headed west.
Bar Name: The Dock Ellis
Address: 1280 Dundas Street West
Criteria: Atmosphere
Grade: B*
This entire review comes with an asterisk. The reconnaissance for The Dock Ellis happened the night of the Raptors-Grizzlies game. It was also the night of the MLS Eastern Final. The bar was packed with TFC diehards wearing scarfs and jerseys. I’ve got nothing but respect for TFC fans.
The Dock Ellis has twelve flat screens highlighted with one giant one on a far wall. You can see a screen from every seat in the bar. Eight of the screens had the soccer game on and the remaining four had the Raptors. None of them had the Leafs-Flames game on. Not one. I quietly pumped my fist.
The sound from the TFC game filled the bar but there wasn’t a seat where you couldn’t see the Raptors game. The TFC fans were enthusiastic and cheered out loud during big plays. It was a great Toronto sports atmosphere.
A grade of B feels low for this bar but it’s only because the TFC game was the focus that night. To be fair, the support they were showing the Raptors while the biggest game in TFC history was being broadcast was pretty impressive. Immediately after the soccer game concluded the majority of TVs and the sound in the bar were switched to the Raptors.
But this quest is the search for the ultimate Raptors bar. For instance, there’s a bar on Bathurst called the Football Factory. If a Raptor fan were to stroll in there sometime in May and ask them to change a regular season TFC game to a Raptors playoff game I’m pretty sure they’d tell you to go to hell. That’s my dream, to find a bar in Toronto where they’ll tell people to go to hell when they ask to watch anything but the Raptors. Maybe that’s asking too much, but this is my quest.
Criteria: Food
Grade: A
The food was awesome. The menu had a lot of options including wonton nachos, Ontario trout tacos, triple blanched fries and a fried chicken sandwich. I firmly believe you can get a good idea of a kitchen’s menu based on how they prepare their chicken wings. I ordered a pound of BBQ Ranch. None of us know what the future holds. But I can tell you with certainty, if I end up on death row those wings will be part of my final meal. Along with movie popcorn with salt and vinegar shaker, peanut butter ice cream and shrimp cocktail.
Criteria: Drinks
Grade: A
Great beer selection and a lot of drink options too. For draft they’ve got multiple Amsterdam taps, Junction Stationmaster, Pommies Farmhouse Cider and Beau’s Lugtread. Huge selection of Tallboys too including selections from Woodhouse, Shillow, Leftfield, Sweetgrass and more.
Criteria: Staff
Grade: A+
The staff were friendly, relaxed and despite the bar being busy were very efficient at getting food and drinks out. A couple of times I heard the bartender ask about the Raptors during the TFC match. He was busy but was still keeping tabs on the score. Respect.
Criteria: Clientele
Grade: A
Everyone was having fun and got respectfully rowdy at times. Nice balance of guys to girls and no one was obnoxious at any point. Just a bunch of Toronto sports fans. Felt good.
Criteria: Location
Grade: A?
I live east of Yonge and love it. It’s less busy than the west end but you’re just as close to downtown. Sometimes when you tell people you live east of Yonge and they look at you like you farted. Lots of people like the west, which is fine. Lots of people will love the location of this bar. I still love my hood. Pull my finger.
Criteria: Price
Grade: A
Reasonable prices for a Toronto bar. Most draft is $8 and Tallboys are $7. The wings were $10 per pound or $18 for two. The burger is $12 and vegetarian chilli $10. Good size portions and good quality.
Criteria: Bathrooms
Grade: B+
They were clean. Good size and I never experienced a line up. Really great artwork on the doors too. On a side note, there’s another entire room downstairs by the bathrooms that’s like it’s own separate bar. The Raptor game was being played on a giant screen in the room with the sound up! It was empty and the bar wasn’t staffed but it was another sign that this is definitely a place where Raptors fans are welcome.
Overall Grade: B+
The Dock Ellis is an awesome Toronto sports bar. Based on the recommendations that came in, the overall feel of the bar and the staff there’s little doubt it’s a great Raptors bar too. Because of the soccer game the grade for this particular night is a B+. The Dock Ellis is an excellent option for Raptors fans hanging out in the west end and definitely worth checking out. Just make sure the Reds or Jays don’t have a playoff game the same night. If the Leafs do, don’t’ worry about it. You should be good.
