Monarch Espresso Bar - CLOSED

Cafe: Monarch Espresso Bar
Address: 12 Clinton St.
Phone: 416-531-5833
Store Hours: For cafe: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM - Depending (Winter approx. 3 PM & Summer approx. 6 PM), Sat-Sun Closed; For bar:  Mon-Sun 11 AM - 3 AM
Website: www.themonarchtavern.com

Wi-Fi?: Yes
Study Appropriate?: Yes
Stamp Cards?: Yes

Interior

First Floor

Second Floor

Menu

Drinks - Soy/Almond/Lactose-Free Options?: Soy and lactose-free
- Offers vanilla soy milk
- Roasted coffee beans from Detour Coffee Roasters and David Lynch Espresso
- Offers over 30 types of bourbon

Food - Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Options?: Vegetarian and gluten-free
- Baked goods made in-house every morning
- Offers croissants, cookies, and brownies
- Food is different everyday; no standard prices
- Gluten-free beer!
- The people from Hogtown Smoke food truck are now cooking for The Monarch Tavern; their menu is also available for order

Review

Drink of Choice: Double-Shot Latte, $4.50 

Walking through a residential neighbourhood, I was a bit confused with the location of Monarch Espresso Bar. This cafe was surrounded by homes, while most cafes I was used to were at least at the corner of the street. What got me even more confused was when I arrived to a pub called The Monarch Tavern, not Monarch Espresso Bar. Upon entry, I was glad to find myself in the right place.

I spoke to Sarah, who told me that the "cafe" opened only recently in the past year within the pub. The Monarch Tavern itself is one of the oldest pubs in Toronto, opened since 1928. It is a community centre where there are ongoing events everyday for people to come in and enjoy themselves. With two floors, they have enough space to accompany the people that are attending events and those who want to drop by for a good grub and some beer (over 30 types of bourbon anyone?). They have many reoccurring events such as Choir! Choir! Choir! (on Wednesdays), Karoke Thursdays, and Vinyl Nights. For Vinyl Nights (which happens every Tuesday at 8 PM), anyone can bring in a vinyl for the pub to play and you get a free shot and drink! Yes, free alcohol, seriously. They also have a new event, which is a dance party that happens every Wednesday night along side with Choir! Choir! Choir!

I wouldn't really recommend for people to come here if they would want to study or do work. I say yes for study appropriate because it is possible, but I suggest for you to do it earlier in the day. I came around 11 AM and it was pretty dead at the time, so I had some work done for sure. However, I'm pretty sure if I came late noon, I could imagine it getting pretty busy and loud.

For Indie Coffee Passport holders, you aren't restricted to the 6 drink menu. If you come in, you are free to order whatever you wish on Monarch Espresso Bar's menu! As well, if you pick up their stamp card, the first drink is free!