Linsmore Tavern

What is Linsmore Tavern? Anchoring the corner of Danforth and Linsmore avenues right beside Greenwood subway station, Linsmore Tavern has operated as an unvarnished east-end fixture since 1934. Owned by the Mangano family for decades, this storied local watering hole traded its mid-century hotel saloon roots for a thriving identity as one of Toronto’s hardest-working live music bars. The room is narrow, dimly lit, and utterly devoid of pretense, fitted with a long wooden bar counter, simple tables, and a modest stage that draws tight-knit community crowds throughout the week.

Linsmore Tavern Menu & What to Order Linsmore is strictly a wet bar with no active kitchen service, keeping the focus entirely on dependable, affordable drinks and stage entertainment. Draft taps pour classic easy-drinking favourites and Ontario staples, from pints of Creemore Springs and Amsterdam 3 Speed to crisp Steam Whistle Pilsner and nostalgic pours of Labatt 50. If you are not drinking beer, standard mixed drinks, basic highballs, and shot-and-pint pairings keep bar tabs refreshingly light on the wallet. Plan to grab dinner at one of the Danforth’s nearby eateries beforehand, then pull up a stool for music and a round of cold draft.

Know Before You Go Seating is entirely first-come, first-served, and popular tribute acts or weekend blues jams pack the room quickly, so aim to arrive 45 to 60 minutes before showtime to claim a table. Live performances carry a modest cover charge at the door or ticketed entry online, though regular afternoon sessions and select Sunday blues jams remain free. Located just steps from Greenwood Station on Line 2, taking the TTC is the simplest way to arrive without fussing over street parking.