There's just something about the Imperial. It's not the shiniest pub, and it doesn't have the most gourmet food you're ever going to find. I've got some good memories there (seeing friends play the back room, going there after fun outings downtown), but I think it's the all-are-welcome, easy-going atmosphere that makes the place feel like its own little community.
The only other thing I'll say, is that I consider their nachos to be the best I've had in Toronto - and trust me, I've had a lot of nachos in Toronto. It's just a ton of chips with several tons of cheese, plopped into a tinfoil-wrapped pan and baked perfectly. I got the Izzy-style ones that included delicious beef chili...every single bite was heaven.