Volo, late friday nights

I drink at Volo a fair amount (so should you). So trying to objectively review them is impossible, because I have years of history there. That history is a long testimony to what is an excellently run bar that is leading the charge when it comes to beer in Toronto. I can honestly say I have not had a single bad experience at Volo.

So what to say about last Friday night? Me and my German hockey bud Christian headed over to Volo for some après hockey beer and olives. We sat by the Yonge Street windows, which is a strange one for me; I tend towards the tables by the fireplace or up by the bar. It was much quieter in the bar than I was expecting, but Bowie was on the speakers, so all was good.

The draft board looked great to me, though a little scant for my pils-drinking bro. I ordered a Black Oak 10 Bitter Years, and Christian got a Beau’s Lug-Tread Ale. We also ordered the non-artisanal (cheaper) olive bowl. These are still about 417% fancier then most olives served anywhere else. I love the little ones. No idea what they’re called, but they are wicked delicious.

The beers and olives turned up, and we settled in for some good eats and drinks. Obviously we were talking a lot about Christian’s forthcoming trip to Mexico, and enjoyed sips of eachother’s beers (though Beau’s is not unfamiliar to me). After a while, it was time for round two (Fight!). I opted for another Black Oak product, Nutcracker Porter. Christian ordered something in a bottle, that was another Kolsch (no memory what, though). The porter was classic, big and roasty, nicely carbonated, and with a lingering smokiness. I could handle drinking a lot more of this. Slowly we realized it was last call, and there was only one other table seated in the bar. I was driving, so cut myself off, but Christian wanted something more, so he ordered a Granite Hopping Mad (He’s open-minded to other styles). I must admit to having a sip (Hopping Mad is a classic, how could I pass it up? Thanks, Ron, it was beautiful).

Here is something I love about Volo (yes, just another tick on the list): The bar was now empty, save for us. The two servers were obviously closing up, but didn’t even shoot us furtive glances to encourage us to leave. They just left us to enjoy the dregs of the evening, and worked away (they also happily let us in at 2:50 after we’d called and come back as Christian had left his phone on his seat). Volo is one of the most hospitable bars in Toronto. A family-run bar that makes you feel like you’re being welcomed into their home. We have taken Ben there, and not only were they welcoming, but they provided a spoon when we realized we’d not brought one, and they laughed as he threw icecubes all over the patio. Gahndi (allegedly) once said something to the effect of “If you want to see how advanced a country is, look at how they treat their animals”. I will paraphrase and say: “If you want to see how welcoming a bar is, look at how they treat young families”. Volo passes with top marks.

But this isn’t about how Volo treats babies at mid-day. This is about how Volo treats hockey players at half past twelve on a Friday. And they pass with top marks once again.

Go drink at Volo. Go often, and enjoy. Great food, stellar beer list, and a very respectable wine list too. Come on out this Sunday for “Beire et Compagnie”, a tasting of beers and cheeses from Quebec. I’ll be there.

Oh yeah, and Tom is working on their new website.   Speaking as a web developer, it looks very good.   Speaking as an ardent supporter of local beer, it looks very good.

http://www.BarVolo.com

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