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| - No hard feelings on the chain, but our bier could have been better.
ATMOSPHERE
The Bier Markt is definitely a high rolling pub. Not a place to throw on the lumberjack plaid and roll over to the bar for Budweiser (ew anyway). I had on my black running shoes and felt a little dressed down.
Easily strategic date-location material. Not sure if they're into you or they might be taken? The Bier Markt shows you're classy but not snooty, and if you want to show off your mad beer skills, this is the time. Its got dark wood, usually with red touches in the décor. Nothing scratched or sticky with old beer. Strategically dim lighting to suggest a minimal, laid back, loungey feeling, but lacking the trendy servers in thigh-highs.
Good thing about the Markts is they're big and easily able to accommodate groups if it's not busy. We were there around 9pm and the patio was jammed so we descended into the underground main area and landed ourselves some stools right away, because we weren't in the mood for a full meal.
The other good thing about the Bier Markts that helps to take down their schmoncy edge: they bring in cover bands. Not a three piece jazz trio or an ambient DJ, but honest to goodness top 40s/oldies music. Who doesn't love live music? The band was playing right in our ear but they were fantastic. The Replicas, please come back to a pub near me anytime! Some grinning ladies even broke the ice and danced a bit in front of the stage, which was less of a stage than a slightly raised platform crammed into the corner near the entrance, unlike the Markt on the Esplanade which has a mad big dance floor.
FOOD
We ordered the Wurst Sampler. Sausages not too salty but can't say much more about them than that. Boring and greasy. This should have been the highlight of the dish but it was definitely the opposite. Even the three mustards, the pickles and shredded beets served with them couldn't save them from their lack of taste.
Small piece of a firm, yet creamy cheese was nice, and the baked oversized pretzels were quite delicious with warm, soft insides and lightly toasty outsides. However for the price you pay, and given that this is a resto on King, I was expecting a little better from those sausages. This is also not the first time I have been underwhelmed by Bier Markt food.
Our beer on the other hand was very nice. Oh, the uber long list! Being a beer snob, I generally make an effort not to go to just ANY bar. (Canadian and Corona only? That's okay, I'll have soda water) But again, we were disappointed because despite the Bier Markt's substantial list, my friend had to make changes to his order five times (five!) because they didn't have the beers he wanted.
SERVICE
Our server was incredibly sweet and it wasn't for lack of trying that our experience at this particular resto was below par. She refilled our water three times and checked in on us once as well. There was an error on our split bills, but we just worked out the difference.
LOCATION
Oh King West. We went for a nice walk along Queen from St. Patrick where we caught a $6.00 Green P. It was a walk I could not have attempted in heels or if I was in a crappy mood. By the time we cleared out, the district was starting to really hop with guys in shiny cars and girls in little black dresses and pumps. We made our getaway back towards the Horseshoe, having no wish to be mistaken for sad lost tourists.
Located at King and Spadina, it is not all that convenient by subway, which is unfortunate for us suburbanites. Take the King streetcar west is your best bet for landing right at the front door in your Steve Maddens.
OVERALL
I wouldn't mind going back but it wouldn't be my first choice. If I was thinking about a pricey beer bar to go to with a live band, I would make the Esplanade Markt higher on my list. The Bier Markt is dependable if you are out with a group and looking to strike a balance between lounge and bar, but don't expect much from the food. Save your hard-earned dollars for the beer.
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