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| - Ahh, The Pilot, one of my many local watering holes throughout the years. An institution all it's own.
Fun fact: I originally went there 14 years ago because I thought Hemingway used to hang out here while he lived in Toronto in 1919. Stupid me since the Tavern has only been open since 1945. Ha! How silly I felt. He actually used to hang out at the Wheat Sheaf but that is for another review.... It was the Group of Seven who used to hang out at The Pilot when it was on Yonge street. God knows how long ago.
Anyway, the bar felt like a complete dive about 6 years ago before the last reno and now with it's new metal fasciae, the place now looks like a nice metal shiny dive. Which goes with their retro, WWII bomber decor and the massive photograph in their main room.
If you go there on weeknights you might meet Marsoud, the friendly, if quiet main bartender who for the last 20+ years has been a serving beers to locals and foreigners alike. Really nice guy.
As far as the food, I would say it is okay. Very pub like, not expensive but not amazing either. They advertise they burger as one of the best in Toronto, although I have never been curious to give it a go.
The highlights of The Pilot is it's mighty patio on the third floor. Which sadly got a little more architecture on it now then it did before the reno so it feels a bit less airy. Although it still gets packed on Fridays and Saturday nights, both by happy-hour nearby rat-racers from the Bell building nearby and from locals and party goers on the weekend.
On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you must come out and check out their Jazz Afternoons, come around 2:00pm to attempt to get a seat as the music begins jamming at 3:30pm --and it's free! If you are like me, under 35, then come on Saturdays as Sundays caters to a much older crowd. Personally though, I don't mind either day if the music is good, except that on Sunday a lot of the seats are reserved for those regulars. And by regulars I mean, people who have been coming for at least over a decade+.
During summer nights, if you got a group of three or more friends, this is a great place to hang out. Even though The Pilot is technically in Yorkville I am pleased to report that they carry none of that snobbery which sometimes drags Yorkville down.
I recommend this hole in the wall. If you go sporting a laid-back state of mind, then you will like it too.
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