If you’re looking for a watering hole that lacks pretension, head on over to Sweaty Betty’s on Ossington. With a charmingly derelict interior and mid-sized back patio, Betty’s is a place you can really let loose in the summer. They offer great drink specials (weeknights between 5 and 7 pm, highballs and pints are a dollar off) and DJs spin anything from thrash to funk.
Just steps north of the buzzing Ossington and Queen Street West, Sweaty Betty’s is the west end’s go-to date spot. Paving the way for the Ossington nightlife boom, this cozy, red-lit bar is chosen time and time again by first daters for its pared-down drinks menu and loungey, intimate vibe.
Make sure you bring lots of change to feed the jukebox so you can gain control of the music selection. There’s an awesome patio for warmer weather, complete with wooden benches and a high privacy fence. But if you want to keep it indoors, they’ve got couches and other comfortable chairs for lounging. It’s also the kind of place where it’s easy to chat up new faces, with a diverse clientele of all ages and social groups.