Manager Katie Whittaker calls it “a beer geek dive bar.” Thirsty and Miserable is unique because it offers a diverse range of beers on tap, many hailing from Belgium and Canada. Bottled beers come from Belgium, Canada, and Germany. The bar offers beer almost exclusively so don’t arrive looking for a Cosmo. Beer lovers will find a wide selection of different flavors of beer, which is rare in other bars housing a large liquor selection. Everything is ordered straight from the bar, with the options scrawled on chalkboards. Make sure to bring some cash along, as the bar has no ATM.
Whittaker enjoys the rough and tumble feel of the bar: emerging as a hole in the wall, its atmosphere is very relaxing. The bar is free from flashy adornments like televisions or pool tables, so music and conversation fill the small space. It’s a diamond in the rough, and Whittaker wants the beer and the casual atmosphere to speak for itself.
Thirsty and Miserable is a good place for a date or a reminiscent gathering with friends because the venue makes for a lively yet intimate experience. If you’re arriving thirsty or miserable at this bar, you won’t leave that way.
The simplicity of this hidden bar offers a great place to unwind with some friends and become better acquainted with good beers. The bar is classic: rugged and low-key, it offers a place with flavorful beers and an atmosphere created by the customers. The classic nature of the bar gives it an urban feel as it is appealing to a diverse clientele and doesn’t put on airs to be entertaining to a specific group.
In the internationally influenced Kensington Market, Thirsty and Miserable is the perfect representation of diversity. A spectrum of beers and an appealing vibe in a surprising location makes the bar a haven for the hip crowds of Kensington for the upcoming summer and the long Toronto winters. According to Whittaker: “[Thirsty and Miserable is] not fancy, it’s down and out, but we’ve got good beer.”
Thirsty and Miserable is located at 197 Baldwin Street. Open every day from 6 p.m. - 2 a.m.
