When my friend said "Hey, wanna meet up at Bill Hicks bar?" I was mildly confused. Didn't Bill Hicks die in '94? How could he own a bar in Toronto? I was informed it was a dive bar down the street on the east side (leslieville to be specific).
This bar is probably the chillest atmosphere in a bar I've ever experienced in the city. No more screaming in a friends ear to have a conversation, the music is kept at a reasonable level for some good conversation. The beer is most definitely not craft, there is one option on the tap and that option is PBR. This slight negative can be quickly countered with "but it's only $4 for a pint". There is also a greater selection in bottles, albeit mostly domestics, for only $3 a bottle. The walls are lined with record covers and the ceiling lined with vinyl records. Christmas tree lights hung over tiki styled bar and couches with duck tap. There is even a retro video game table that is free to play (second player beware, one button doesn't work). It reminds me of a living room a stoner friend would have in college. After some great tunes (think oldies mixed in with some 90's alternative/grudge), great conversation and only $30 dropped on a night of drinking with friends. I stumbled home happy, finally a place on the east side that I can call my go to bar.