I had walked by Tattoo on Queen West and didn't really think much of it. I assumed it was a "rock club" trying too hard. They book the occasional show here but not a lot of bands. It's more of a nightclub than a bar. I guess they don't want to compete with the Horseshoe that's relatively close.
The venue is kind or hard to find, there's no real signs here or anything.
I went here to see TOPS one of my favorite bands from Montreal who made a stop in Toronto.
Got there just after doors but before the first band to give myself time, and get a feel for the bar.
Drinks were overpriced, but that's to be expected. I paid $7.50 for a tall can of Guinness.
1st band was on at 9 and there were 3 opening bands. Not the venues fault but TOPS didn't come on until almost 1AM. By the time TOPS was done it was almost 2AM. I think that's too long to be at the same bar for 5 hours. They should've had only 1 opening band 3 was just way too many.
There's two separate parts of Tattoo, there's the "venue" side with live music where I was and there was the club part downstairs near the washrooms.
The venue part was nice enough with booth seats with tables along the back walls, with great views of the stage and 2 bars one on each side of the stage.
The washrooms downstairs were clean and well maintained.
I would've never gone to Tattoo if they hadn't booked TOPS. It isn't really my kind of place, it seems more like a nightclub and not a kind of place to see a band. There wasn't anything special about the venue side of the bar.
They don't usually book talent but it was a nice surprise to see them book a really good band. I would come back if they booked another great band but I wouldn't come here on my own for drinks or for the club with the Horseshoe 5 mins away.