Bars with Character and Characters

When I think of a bar with character, I imagine a venue that is more than just a place to grab a drink. It is usually a venue steeped in history, sometimes filled with eclectic décor, and buzzing with the energy of its clientele, servers, and occasional performers. But what does it really mean for a drinking establishment to have character?

Bars can be categorized in many ways—dive bars, speakeasies, tiki bars, train station bars, and more. Although each type may have its own charm, they can often feel generic. A bar with character, however, stands out due to its unique and authentic atmosphere, historical significance, unpredictability, and the types of entertainment that occur in these environments. Acts in these settings are often not what you’d typically find in a bar. They tend to be more eclectic in content and performance style, with some offering an interactive experience. Patrons range from professionals to street people down on their luck.

Consider Grossman’s Tavern, on Spadina Rd. in Toronto’s Chinatown. There was a time when on any given Friday or Saturday night, in addition to up-and-coming blues musicians, you might encounter jugglers, fire eaters, and stand-up comics, transforming the bar into a lively variety show. Performers would pass the hat after their acts, reminding patrons of the precariousness of many an entertainers’ life.

In Denver, El Chapultepec, once a beloved jazz bar in the LoDo neighborhood, was renowned for its vibrant mix of musicians and music lovers. The back room with its pool table encouraged friendly competition.  It was a venue where you could be surprised by an impromptu performance from a well-known headliner, who was playing elsewhere in town, who dropped in to play a set with house band, and try something new and eclectic.

Similarly, CasaMad/Casa Antoine in Turin’s Quadrilatero neighborhood welcomes guest musicians, adding an element of surprise to every visit. You never know who might show up to the venue with a mike, portable speaker, and a makeshift playlist and serenade the crowd at the outside tables or walking through the narrow cobblestone streets, making each night unique and memorable. 

Bars with character are more than just places to drink; they are urban cultural hubs where stories are told, customers can have fun, and memories are made. They offer a sense of community and a touch of the unexpected, making every visit a new adventure.

Photo credit: