Quite mediocre indeed but there may be hope for BATCH. If you are the hunt for both an enjoyable time and good craft beer then there are many, many other places albeit in other hoods to seek out before visiting BATCH. The menu describes the beer styles in way that conveys that Batch could be YOUR first craft beer bar experience and they are here to make everything ok for you. I mean, this isn't Kelsey's, they should be confident with their customers and their knowledge of beer even if this mega sized bar located in a quite touristy area of the city. But it is still a bit tucked away from Yonge just far enough from the terrible 3 Bros bar and situated near tons of various daytime businesses. It's not a tourist trap but sometimes BATCH will make you think twice about that which is too bad.
The vibe was dull as ever for a Saturday night and the door girl looked sad. They literally played Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton - I'm serious. I couldn't believe it either.
The waitress was fine at least - we were attended to just fine, the place isn't incompetent it just seems to miss opportunity after opportunity. There are games in the basement but again, it had a dungeon vibe but not in a good way. It needed some pepping. The place is clean but it is also too sterile. I also remember that the place took forever to open up so surely there is some great pride witchin the owners somewhere....somewhere.
They have a bottle shop featuring brews of their own right next to 6's of Creemore. I haven't looked it up but obviously these guys are in cahoots with a bigger brewery and that's fine - just painting a picture for those beer snobs out there. They also sell other people's mustard. Why? Sure, you can look past all the mixed bag grocery merch but they should be invested in their own beers more - it gives off a bad image. Where are the shirts, the swag? The label art is basic and simple but I liked it.
Tons of TVs though with lots of sports which is great - something other craft beers lack. Coulda used something other than just the 2 games spread across them all.
It just seems like someone has been sleeping through the business for a few months. I mean, it was dead in there too this night. It's time to wake up - that area of Toronto needs more, good beer bars. This is an easy win. Come on!!! You can do it!!!