(Image: Signe Langford)
Israel Sanchez and Stephan Poquet looked around Leslieville and saw a neighbourhood that has plenty of places to grab a drink, but none that were new or shiny or high-end. So they opened the standoffishly monikered What Are You Looking At—or WAYLA, as it’s bound to be known—on Queen East, welcoming a cross-section of east enders as diverse as the area itself: ladies of a certain age, skinny boys who wear woolly hats year-round and giggly girls clustered around martinis.
Sanchez and Poquet—co-owners and life partners—bring 24 collective years of experience to WAYLA. Sanchez is a 13-year veteran bartender at the Arcadian Court, and Poquet is owner of the 11-year-old boîte Sauvignon in the Beach. “We thought we could make a place for locals to have a drink and listen to some good DJs without having to leave the neighbourhood.” To wit: the Sunday tea dance, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., allows patrons to drink, dance and get home in time to let the chocolate Lab out.
The long, narrow room—a patchwork of exposed brick, painted cement block and concrete—was once home to an oily carburetor shop. Now, a glance through the floor-to-ceiling windows reveals a modern parlour with twinkling red chandeliers and black leather chairs and sofas. But it’s the back room where the crowd congregates, beckoned by the burnt orange glow of the bar. The elevated glass DJ booth suggests wild nights to come, but for now, house beats come from a laptop and are turned down just enough to keep conversation possible.
“We took inspiration from French, Stephan is from Brittany, and the Spanish, [I'm] from Panama,” says Sanchez. “The French is more in the food, and the Spanish in the drinks.” There is a small card of dips, pâtés, brandade and cheeses, mostly ferried in from Sauvignon in the Beach.
But WAYLA is less about food and more about music, people and cocktails. A two-ounce martini is $8 and a one-ounce cocktail $5.50. West end vibe, east end prices.
What Are You Looking At, 996 Queen St. E. (at Carlaw Ave.), 647-938-2524, whatareyoulookingatbar.com.
Sounds great; until I went to the website. MY EYES! I certainly hope they smarten up with the web presence. If I had seen that first, my decision not to go would be made in an instant…
March 30, 2010 at 9:22 am | by sjfbarnettMy thoughts exactly…ha ha
March 30, 2010 at 10:15 am | by KimMANY THANKS TO THE STAFF AT TORONTO LIFE AND SIGNE. WAYLABAR IS AN ATTITUDE FREE ZONE. IF YOU HAVE A BAD ATTITUDE WE APPRICIATE YOU GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. MANAGEMENT
March 30, 2010 at 3:27 pm | by WAYLABARI hope that last comment was a joke…
March 30, 2010 at 4:39 pm | by MattagascarBut of course it was a joke. We do have a good sense of humor….
March 30, 2010 at 6:44 pm | by WaylabarI hope it wasn’t a joke so that the person above won’t ever go there. There’s lots of places to go in the city if you want to be treated like a princess.
March 30, 2010 at 8:55 pm | by ShannonDon’t worry..I won’t.
March 31, 2010 at 9:36 am | by Mattagascargreat location, terrible name, and silly lay out. hope it flys in this hood… but there is a lot to a name.
April 1, 2010 at 10:58 am | by madgeIt’s a great place. And yes they are friendly. I don’t like the Queen West comment. That’s for kids just past their sticker collection.
April 6, 2010 at 9:39 am | by RicoThis bar is fantastic! Upon discovering it, my friends and I in the event planning business will be throwing many an event there, as I will be doing everything in my power to help these guys get more of a regular crowd. AWESOME music, fantastic ambience, amazing, friendly staff and great cocktails!
I do agree, though, the website needs to be addressed ASAP if you want to leave a good impression for future customers.
April 19, 2010 at 10:46 am | by vintagerailwayBase from what ive read ,i will check this place out myself& bring a friend very soon
July 5, 2010 at 3:44 pm | by LascelleL F
Nn
February 4, 2011 at 9:04 pm | by Mike LolatoBased on what I’ve read I think I’ll stay home!
March 9, 2011 at 9:00 am | by PeterThis is a great place. Great music,friendly,fun,and hip (without the nauseating attitude of so many other places).Go there and bring your friends, just leave the attitude at the door.
October 14, 2011 at 1:51 pm | by John