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| - Insomnia is too cool for school, and I often walk in wondering if it's too cool for me, too. I have so many gatherings of friends, birthday drinks, etc, that happen at Insomnia that I will go there from time to time, but it is rarely my first pick.
That being said, the cocktails and food are delicious. The tapas-style appetizers are more upscale than your usual pub grub, but still inviting and approachable, and great to share with a group. Their pizzas run on the smaller side for the price but if you get one to share as an appetizer you will not be disappointed. Their sandwiches are also tasty and some of the more reasonably priced menu items.
The main issue I have with Insomnia is that it's got too many "too"s. It's too cool for school, as I said before. By that I mean, the people in there are often looking to be seen, and in a sense Insomnia feels like an arty Queen West bar that somehow got lost on the way and settled down in the middle of the Annex. Next, it's too small. Seating can be cramped and getting even seating for a medium-sized group can be incredibly frustrating. Bumping right up against the major Bathurst-Bloor intersection space means that when you step out for a phone call or to meet someone (or for smokers), sidewalk space is at a premium. Lastly, it's just too damned loud. Yes, it makes me sound like an old lady, but for the life of my I cannot hold a conversation in that bar without ending up practically in someone's lap trying to hear them.
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