The Mugshot Tavern

What is The Mugshot Tavern? Perched along Bloor Street West just steps from Keele subway station, The Mugshot Tavern is a dependable High Park watering hole founded in 2011 by hospitality veterans Scott and Jeff. Inside, the narrow tavern leans into its namesake theme with gallery walls of framed celebrity mugshots, a substantial wooden bar, and dark wood booths, complemented by a string-lit rooftop back patio. It effortlessly bridges the gap between an unpretentious local hangout and a reliable scratch kitchen.

The Mugshot Tavern Menu & What to Order The kitchen leans into Southern-influenced comfort food executed with real care and consistency. Start with the house specialty Mugshot Wings—cornstarch-dusted for exceptional crunch, coated in Carolina BBQ sauce, and drizzled with buttermilk ranch and Louisiana hot sauce—or the warm jumbo pretzels with green chili cream cheese dip. For mains, the Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich and The Cowboy Burger (crowned with crunchy Hickory Sticks and rebel BBQ sauce) are undeniable crowd favorites, best washed down with a rotating Ontario craft draught or a house Caesar. Plant-forward diners are well accommodated with house-made grain patties, buffalo cauliflower, and golden mac 'n' cheese fritters.

Know Before You Go While phone reservations are accepted during business hours, the room primarily operates on walk-ins and turns over at an easygoing pace. The rooftop patio is in high demand during warm summer evenings and weekend brunch, so plan for an early arrival or grab a pint at the front bar while you wait. Located directly east of Keele subway station, taking Line 2 transit is far easier than searching for street parking along Bloor.