Historic Queen West tavern closing after nearly 200 years
Customers bid farewell to Black Bull, which has operated since 1833
After serving beers for nearly 200 years, one of Toronto’s oldest bars, the Black Bull Tavern, will be closing its doors on Wednesday.
The historic bar, located on 298 Queen St. W., has been operating since 1833 and remained as a monumental part of Queen West history, Janine Bartels, granddaughter of the establishment’s late owner, said in a Facebook post made on behalf of the bar.
“It has been a place that’s evolved with the community, once serving pints to vibrant punk rockers and biker gangs to now, the neighbouring office workers and condo dwellers,” the post said.
Marking the “end of an era,” the decision comes after the death of owner Bobby Taylor in August. Taylor was a professional football player who had a 14-year career playing for multiple CFL teams, including the Toronto Argonauts.
Taylor also had a nine-year career in hockey, playing in the Western and Eastern Hockey Leagues, as well as the American Hockey League, according to the Star’s obituary.
Looking to run a sports bar business, he purchased the tavern in 1975 and the rest was history.
“We would like to thank The Black Bull staff for their dedication and commitment over the years,” Bartels wrote on Facebook.
“We are happy so many of you found your life partners at the bar. We know all of you have colourful memories to remember your time here.”
The pub said its last day of operation will be Wednesday.
“We also thank everyone for their patronage over the decades,” the post read. “We hope you can come raise a glass to The Black Bull before it closes.”
On Friday, dozens of customers flocked to the bar at the corner of Queen and Soho streets, and some described the vibe over the past couple of days as “immaculate.”
Harry Randell and Lee Armitag, visitors from Coventry, England, say they’ve been coming to the Black Bull since arriving in Toronto three days ago.
Although the two couldn’t find a seat inside, they ordered drinks on the patio. “It’s been packed every time we’ve come in,” said Randell. “There’s a good vibe to it, people are cheerful. In there, everyone’s happy.”
He added they’ve appreciated the bar’s reasonable prices, especially with inflation pressures rising back in the U.K. Randell also pointed to the Irish flag hoisted in the bar’s window and said it reminds him of his family roots.
“We’ve been here every day for the past three days and have been very happy with it,” Armitag said. “It feels like a proper English bar.”
The bar is also selling Black Bull memorabilia, with all proceeds going to the staff.
In 1980, Toronto city council added the Black Bull Tavern’s building to the city’s list of designated heritage properties.
“I hope the Black Bull continues to be a bar for decades to come and future owners pay homage to the building’s history,” Bartels said.
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It has been a place that’s evolved with the community, once serving pints to vibrant punk rockers and biker gangs to now, the neighbouring office workers and condo dwellers.
JANINE BARTELS GRANDDAUGHTER
OF BLACK BULL’S LATE OWNER BOBBY TAYLOR