14 fun food and drink dates to try this fall in Toronto

Chillier days have descended upon the city, which means it’s high time to embark on some fun food and drink dates.

Whether you want to go retro with an arcade game-filled bar, or play house before eating Swedish meatballs, there’s something up the city’s sleeve for your indoor enjoyment needs.

Here’s a guide to the local experiential bar and restaurant scene.

Happy cuffing season, Toronto!

Where to play arcade games:

NightOwl

Toronto is home to plenty of arcades, but these aren’t like the pre-teen populated venues of yesteryear. This Little Italy bar houses classics like Big Buck Hunter and Whack-A-Mole while slinging booze-spiked milkshakes and bowls of mac and cheese.

Address: 647 College Street
Phone: 647-927-4321

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The Greater Good

The GG is one of many hot spots on Geary Avenue, but it’s certainly the most retro. Enjoy a full pizza à la North of Brooklyn downstairs, and then head up to the loft to play a long list of old-style arcade games (for free!), or use your spare change on a few rounds of skee-ball.

Address: 229 Geary Avenue
Phone: 647-348-2339

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• See also:
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Get Well

Another great spot serving North of Brooklyn ‘za alongside a long line of arcade games, you can get your PacMan fix and fill up on great beers at this awesome spot.

Address: 1181 Dundas West
Phone: 647-351-2337

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Tilt

Of all the city’s arcade game treasures, this one might just be the jackpot — mostly because it’s huge. With giant TVs at the front of the space and countless games like pinball(!) lining the walls, you can whet your appetite for gaming and for Beyond Meat burgers (plus plenty of other menu options).

Address: 1181 Dundas West
Phone: 647-351-2337

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Spots with all of the activities:

The Rec Room

This 40,000-sq-ft entertainment and eats complex at Toronto’s Roundhouse is a must-go. Known for bringing together live entertainment, gaming, and dining all under one roof, it’s the ideal place to let your hair down.

Address: 255 Bremner Blvd
Phone: 416-815-0086

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The City Pool

Practice your pool skills at this spot, serving bar-style eats and plenty of beer. Slip into your beanie and Vans, and you’ll fit right in with the Dundas West crowd that takes over the space on weekends.

Address: 1307 Dundas Street West
Phone: 647-340-9329

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Duke’s Refresher

Now open at 73 Front Street East, the new restaurant is poised to offer a wide range of options for dining, drinking, and, believe it or not, playing. In addition to food and beverage, the spot is equipped with retro arcade games including Taxi Pinball, Galaxian, Area 51, Buck Hunter, and more. If you’d prefer to get a little active, you can hit the mini basketball court, shuffleboard, pool and ping pong tables.

Address: 73 Front Street East

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Bangarang

Head to Bangarang and get in on obscure billiards games like Sjoelen (AKA Dutch Shuffleboard), Rebound, and more, along with two full lanes of Cornhole, a classic backyard bean bag toss game.

Address: 552 College Street, Toronto 

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Bar Poet

Bar Poet is officially open on Queen Street West. The new spot is slingin’ mouthwatering pizza and fierce cocktails in a cozy, warm, and welcoming environment. The sick exterior and interior designs of the building, plus the skee-ball runs, are major bonuses.

Address: 1090 Queen Street West

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Snakes & Lattes

The collection of games is massive at both locations of this licensed board game cafe. Get competitive over a few hands of Pit, or ruin your blossoming relationship over a game of Monopoly, all while sipping craft beers and snacking on nachos.

Address: 600 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Phone: 647-342-9229

Address: 489 College Street, Toronto
Phone: 647-342-9229

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Where to be entertained:

The Second City

Not only is The Second City serving up laughs, but this downtown venue offers awesome comfort food, too! Stuff your face with corn dogs, chicken tenders, and fries, and try to not spit out your beer when that belly laugh comes through.

Address: 51 Mercer Street

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Scotiabank Theatre:

Sometimes you need a night to relax but you don’t want to stay in-in. That’s where a movie date comes into play! Head over to any of the city’s theatres (though Scotiabank has sweet screen options) to indulge in popcorn, beer, hotdogs, and a sweet (or scary) flick.

Address: 259 Richmond Street West

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Spots where you can keep active:

Danforth Bowl

Old-school bowling alleys are a dying breed. Ontario kids that want to relive the nostalgic birthday parties of their youth should head here, pronto, to enjoy platters of nachos while tossing some heavy balls down the laneway.

Address: 1554 Danforth Avenue
Phone: 416-463-3000

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IKEA

500 Days of Summer, but make it last. Head to either of the city’s IKEA locations to shop, or pretend to shop, or simply play house and make fools of yourselves, before heading over to the store’s eatery to indulge in Swedish meatballs and other low-cost fare. Don’t forget the cinnamon rolls!

Address: 1475 The Queensway, Etobicoke
Address: 15 Provost Drive, North York

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