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So – we’re nearing the end of the Semester 1 run (although it seems to matter much less to us grad students), but needless to say there is steam to burn. I said steam, not calories, so this week we’re looking at some pubs close to campus.

Molly Bloom’s

191 College St (South side, at Henry St.)

If there was a pub that looked like undergrads had used and abused it for years, this is it. The carpets and floors have seen a lot of traffic and the wooden booths aren’t shining from their original lacquer job anymore, but for a place to grab a drink and some wings, it is the vertex of charm and grime. The room upstairs features plenty of TVs for those big-game nights and can also pack a large group if you make a reservation in advance.

Chicken wing ranking: 1st

I ordered a pound of hot and a pound of medium ($9.99/lb). Out came breaded chicken wings covered in a decent helping of sauce. Downfall? Both types of wings were served in one basket– how was I to know what I was eating? (Oops, my inner control-freak is showing).

Other Details & Specials:

• MONDAY: $4 hamburger meal; $7.50 mini-pitchers of Grasshopper
• TUESDAY: ½ price wings (with any drink purchase)
• WEDNESDAY: $3.50 bottles of Alexander Keith’s
• THURSDAY: $3 grilled cheese meal
• FRIDAY: 1 piece fish & chips for $8.99/ 2 pieces $11.99; Happy Hour (5-7pm) $5.75 imports
• WEEKEND: Domestic pitcher and 2 lbs of wings or nachos for $23 (tax included)
• Pint price range: $5.75-$7.75

O’Grady’s on College

171 College St (south side, at McCaul St.)

A hop, skip and a jump from Molly Bloom’s is O’Grady’s –  another U of T staple watering hole. The main floor is a bit less congested feeling in comparison to Molly Bloom’s, and there is a big projector screen at the back for game nights. Upstairs features dartboards and pool tables for social gatherings. The night I visited I wasn’t overly impressed with the service here, although our server lightened up by the end and even gave us a discount (by accident?) on the drinks we ordered.

Chicken wing ranking: 2^nd

I ordered a pound of hot wings ($10.00). These were good, similar to the Molly Bloom variety – breaded and covered with sauce. Sauce helping was a big excessive here, but the wings were cooked well and hit the spot.

Other Details & Specials:

• MONDAY: ½ price wings; 3 shooters for $9; $10 pitchers
• TUESDAY: 2 for 1 burgers; 3 Jager shots for $9; $10 pitchers
• WEDNESDAY: $8.95 mega nachos; $4 Corona; $5 Steamwhistle; $3 Tequila
• THURSDAY: $4 martinis; $4 domestic pints; $3 domestic bottles; $3 bar rail
• FRIDAY: $4 Foster; $4 lychee martinis; $3 ceasars
• SATURDAY: $5 Creemore
• SUNDAY: ½ price wings; 3 bar rail drinks for $9; $4 pints
• Pint price range: $4.00 – $7.75

The Duke of York

39 Prince Arthur Ave (south side, one street north of Bloor at Bedford Rd.)

Okay, so you are tired of the College Street pubs because they smell and sound like undergrads and you’ve “been there, done that” and you’re looking for a place more distinguished. This is it! This place still has the beautiful carpets and the booths still shine fresh varnish. Of course, these luxuries come at a cost – food and drinks are more expensive, and from what I can tell there isn’t a positive correlation between price and quality. That being said, I had the best service here out of the three. This pub has a more mature vibe that might be just what us grad students are looking for.

Chicken wing ranking: 3^rd

These chicken wings were very disappointing. I ordered a pound of honey garlic ($10.99) and they were extremely dry and overcooked. One crunched (in a bad way) when I bit into it.

Other Details & Specials:

• DAILY: 4oz glass of red/white wine for $4
• MONDAY: $5 martinis
• TUESDAY: $5 doubles of bar rail
• WEDNESDAY: $5 pint of Barking Squirrel after 5pm
• Pint price range: $6.29 – $6.89

There’s no way I could check out every pub close to campus this week – neither the clock, my wallet nor my waistline allowed it, but here are a few others that came recommended to me:

Puck ‘n’ Wings: 362 Bloor St W. @ Walmer Rd. (the best wings in Toronto I am told).

Gabby’s: 192 Bloor St W. @ Avenue Rd.

Shoeless Joe’s: 720 Spadina Rd. @ Washington Ave.

Check them out and let us know which pubs are your favourite!