Remember West Queen West before it was a zoo? The folks at Churchill, Little Portugal’s newest bar, sure do. The owners of the new place are looking to resurrect that 2006 feeling, one street north. Churchill, staffed by Parkdale expats, joins Camp 4, Red Light and Brockton General in the glut of lo-fi-vibe bars that seem to be spilling off Ossington onto Dundas West.
If Lounge, the business that formerly occupied this space, was an upscale sports bar better known for attracting cops from a nearby precinct than the cool kids of Ossington. Churchill’s owners saw an opportunity to change all that. “They weren’t having tons of success with If Lounge, so they wanted to take a step back and give it a whole new style,” says general manager Kathryn Bates, who draws staff from a cocktail of Queen West hot spots, including the Drake, the Gladstone and the Beaconsfield (Bates’ own alma mater). “Now it has more of a west-end feel,” says Bates. “Some nights, I feel like it’s a Beaconsfield flashback from three years ago.”
Post-renovation, Churchill’s decor reads like a late-2000s trend guide: there’s a chalkboard wall and loads of reclaimed wood, all lit with neon bulb light fixtures and utility lantern sconces. The cheery, casual space reverberates with amped-up ’80s classic rock, ’90s R&B and nostalgic pop. Thirty-somethings looking for a throwback will swoon for specialty nights, like Wednesday’s Motown Philly with DJ Asia.
Behind the bar, signature drinks, served in no-fuss highballs, include the pucker-producing Dahna Grossi. The house favourite, which is named for a Beaconsfield bartender, is made with gin, Campari, grapefruit juice and cava. Beer is also big, along with bourbon and whiskey. A full menu is on the horizon (think simple, seasonal and locally focused dishes), but Bates is still searching for the perfect chef to make Churchill the complete package just off the Louboutin-beaten path.
“Dundas West is becoming a destination,” says Bates. “I think people are always looking for something that’s new and that you can call your own before it becomes public knowledge.”
Churchill, 1212 Dundas St. W. (at Ossington), 416-588-4900, Facebook page.
(Images: Davida Aronovitch)
Attended the establishment mentioned above and have mixed reviews. Manager kathrine bates was cordial and professional, however she lacked the charisma and charm I expected after first reading this article. Also her attire looked like it was from a 2005 spike lee film on horse tranqilizer. That being said, she did escort us to very fine table. She then recommeded a wine that was fabulous. The music was at times too loud and then often too quiet. I recommeded a number of songs to a young “dj” who was performing under the moniker “lil nutz” and he refused to play any, which was upsetting but understandable given the clientele – mostly what appeared affluent homeless people with little regard my preference of some of the mor dancable abba songs. In conclusion, I give the C – for “can’t say no”.
November 10, 2010 at 10:28 pm | by carlos rodrigezI somewhat agree with the above post but strongly disagree with many point. Katrine bates has style and glamour and I’m sure that’s why she was hired to work there. Same with the clientele – stylish. However, the wine that was selected for me by managaer bates was overly tannened and had unpleasent notes of over ripe banana and nuts. This may have been due to the consumption a fantastic loaf of nutty banana bread before attending.
November 10, 2010 at 10:40 pm | by richard lambertiniI haven’t been here yet, but it sounds like you two don’t belong in a lo-fi, no-fuss bar. You sound pretty high maintenance to me…
November 12, 2010 at 10:00 am | by SMFirstly, most DJ’s hate requests. They’re there to create a vibe and in most cases know better than the patron that ABBA might not be the best bet. The staff are amazing and the clientele is generally great, with the exception of the first two commentators above. I’m sure there is plenty of room for those types at the Drake. Hopefully this article doesn’t bring out more wine snobs and ruin the atmosphere. Us, affluent homeless people (I’m guessing that means we have the good taste to not wear a suit to the bar in a despserate attempt to attract women) are quite content to listen to a DJ without making requests and don’t judge bars based on their wine list. Also, Catherine is a gem. As are the rest of the staff. Fact.
November 14, 2010 at 9:03 pm | by Stephen E.I went to Churchill this past Friday night with a group of friends and had a blast. Great crowd, great tunes, great music and I never waited too long for a drink at the bar. Bathrooms were in some need of TLC (BIG mess in the ladies). overall A+ and I’ll be back.
November 17, 2010 at 7:13 pm | by LucyThose who posted the first two comments are condo-dwelling trash.
November 25, 2010 at 4:21 pm | by Rich TanguayI’m condo dwelling trash & I liked it.
November 25, 2010 at 5:05 pm | by Lucywell – I live in a condo. I’m not trash.
November 25, 2010 at 5:05 pm | by LucyHey stephen e – u probably got kicked out of the drake for being too 905′er. SM – you sound lo-brain. Rick Tanguay, ud live in a condo instead of your parent’s basement if you could afford it. Kudos to the first two posters for a genuine review that is both positive but with real critique that is helpful to like minded readers. I’m sure the 3 latter writers would probably also like to ban books and support george bush. P.s. The wine list IS fantastic and wine lovers need not avoid the churchill! c
December 1, 2010 at 11:13 pm | by haneef sashaPeople at the churchill think Stephen E is a dork. Fact.
December 1, 2010 at 11:17 pm | by tom struckelObviously the first comment was made by someone who has a personal
issue with Katherine.
All that know her have nothing but nice things to say about her
Including her attire.
There is a reason why Churchill is busy most days… People have fun there, the staff are all amazing… I it’s not your buzz, that’s cool… Move on!
December 5, 2010 at 1:34 am | by TheDuarteHow’s the food? Anyone?
December 5, 2010 at 2:56 pm | by SaggyBalz695 bucks for labatt 50? This trendy shit hole can suck it.
January 23, 2011 at 1:29 am | by Fidel CashflowChurchill is just another uninspired bar in the neighbourhood.
their sign looks like a dirty cigarette pack label from the 80′s… and the interior is seriously lacking imagination with all the mini beaconsfield-esque additions.
toss in some design-y lighting and the place just reaks of being a phony queen west joint situated on dundas.
not to mention katherines bates’ dull sense of humor and shayne cox’s totally phony and insincere service banter/personality.
hello, no thanks.
March 20, 2011 at 10:58 pm | by 0517Don’t hate me cause you ain’t me.
August 18, 2011 at 3:42 pm | by shayne cox