The Loose Moose
South Entertainment District · sports pub since 1989 · 146 Front St W
- Address
- 146 Front Street West
- Area
- South Entertainment District
- Open since
- 1989 (36+ years)
- Draught taps
- 50+ (largest in downtown Toronto)
- Craft beer slots
- 20 rotating
- Levels
- Two (Upstairs Loose Moose + Downstairs Antler Room)
- Capacity
- Up to 800 across spaces
- Big screens
- 9-foot TVs throughout
- Hours (typical)
- Mon-Tue, Sun 11:30am-12am; Wed-Thu till 1am; Fri-Sat till 2am
- Parent
- SIR Corp
- Phone
- (416) 977-8840
- Closest TTC
- Union Station (4 min walk)
Know before you go
Game-day timing. Walking distance to Rogers Centre (5 min west) and Scotiabank Arena (8 min east). For Blue Jays home games, arrive 60-90 minutes before first pitch to secure seats — the venue fills with the Jays-fan walk-up crowd. Same for Leafs / Raptors / TFC pregame, though Real Sports at 15 York is the closer alternative for arena events.
The beer is the headline. 50+ draught taps with 20 reserved for rotating craft. The largest draught list in downtown Toronto. The rotation moves; check the venue's website for current selections (Sawdust City, Wellington, Spearhead, and other Ontario craft regulars appear). Three-ounce sample flights available if you can't choose. Pricier than chain sports bars but worth it for variety.
The 2025 refresh. The venue overhauled menus, expanded beer selection, and updated decor in February 2025 in response to the craft-beer-and-downtown-condo shift. New look: bare-filament lights, a wall of rotary phones, rough-hewn wooden wallboards. The room reads "Brooklyn pub that aged 35 years" now — less corporate-sports-bar, more design-aware. Pre-2025 visitors will notice the change.
Three-room layout. Upstairs Loose Moose is the main floor (busiest, ~150 cap). Downstairs Antler Room is warmer and quieter (rustic decor, smaller groups). The Backroom is private and bookable (intimate events, birthday parties, corporate gatherings). Each has its own audio-visual setup and atmosphere.
Open early. 11:30am opening means breakfast / brunch / early-lunch service exists. International soccer matches (Premier League Saturday mornings, Champions League weekday afternoons) and morning sports tournaments (March Madness, US Open tennis) program well here. The venue's not just a nighttime sports bar.
Our take on The Loose Moose
The Loose Moose has the most underrated positioning in Toronto's sports-bar economy. It's been at 146 Front W since 1989 — longer than the Rogers Centre has existed under that name, longer than the Raptors as a franchise — and has consistently been the neighbourhood-pub-scale alternative to whatever larger sports bar happens to be next door. When Real Sports opened in 2010 with its 27,000 sq ft and 39-foot screen, the Moose just kept doing its thing. When MLSE renovated Real Sports in 2025, the Moose responded with its own decor and menu refresh. Same long game, every cycle.
The 50+ tap beer program is the venue's structural advantage. Real Sports has more taps in absolute number (124+), but the curation at the Moose is sharper. GM Damon Kestle reserves 20 slots for rotating craft, which means real Ontario craft beer fans find harder-to-find variants here that the larger sports bars don't carry. Sawdust City, Wellington, Spearhead, and rotating regional craft sit alongside the Canadian standards. The three-ounce sampler option lets you actually explore the list across a session.
What the 2025 refresh did was modernize without abandoning the working-pub identity. The bare-filament lights, the wall of rotary phones, the rough-hewn wood paneling — these are aesthetic moves toward the Brooklyn-pub idiom that's been everywhere in North American hospitality for a decade. The Moose's version arrives late but doesn't feel forced; the venue's 35+ years of accumulated character carry it. The wall of rotary phones in particular reads as honest rather than designer-stunt.
Best for: Blue Jays pregame walking from Rogers Centre — the venue's geographic positioning makes it the natural choice over more distant alternatives. Craft beer fans wanting variety beyond Canadian basics (the curation is the value). Downtown after-work crowd looking for honest pub food and good beer. Watching a game where conversation is still possible (this is sports bar, not stadium scale). Private events for groups of 15-100 (the Backroom is designed for it). Three-tiered group nights (start downstairs Antler Room casual, move upstairs as the night ramps).
Skip if: You wanted the largest screens (Real Sports has the 39-footer and 200+ TVs). You wanted destination-scale pregame energy for an arena event (Real Sports's adjacency wins). You wanted upscale dining (this is honest pub food, not gastropub elaboration). You wanted a quiet bar (the room runs loud on game nights and weekend evenings — that's the design).
About The Loose Moose
The Loose Moose opened in 1989 at 146 Front Street West, the same year the SkyDome (now Rogers Centre) opened just down the street. The timing was intentional: the venue positioned itself as the Toronto Blue Jays pregame default and has played that role for 36+ years through World Series wins (1992, 1993, 2025-2026), playoff runs, and rebuilds. The Air Canada Centre / Scotiabank Arena's 1999 opening added the Raptors and Leafs to the venue's sports calendar. SIR Corp (Service Inspired Restaurants) operates the venue as part of its broader Canadian hospitality portfolio.
The space spans three distinct rooms across two levels. The Upstairs Loose Moose is the venue's main floor — vibrant, bar-heavy, the standard sports-pub atmosphere. Capacity around 150. The Downstairs Antler Room is the warmer, more rustic option with smaller-group seating — ideal for casual gatherings, dates, and quieter game watching. The Backroom is a private/adaptable space suitable for intimate events, birthdays, and small corporate functions. The total combined capacity across spaces tops 800 for events.
The beer program is the venue's main brand identity. General Manager Damon Kestle curates the 50+ tap list with approximately 20 spots reserved for a rotating selection of Ontario and Canadian craft. The list rotates seasonally and tracks the broader craft beer scene — harder-to-find variants from Sawdust City, Wellington, Spearhead, and other Ontario brewers cycle through. Standards (MGD, Labatt 50, Stella, Heineken) sit alongside as easy defaults. The 3-ounce sampler flight is the venue's signature for variety-seeking drinkers.
The kitchen runs under Chef Matt Rosen (per GAYOT). The February 2025 menu overhaul refreshed the offering — new items like fried goat cheese salad with figs and an avocado-and-back-bacon sandwich on focaccia joined the standard pub fare. Portions stay large, which is the venue's reader-feedback signature (multiple Tripadvisor reviews specifically mention oversized nachos and portions). Average per-person spend $25-$45 depending on drinks.
The 2025 decor refresh modernized the room while keeping the working-pub character. Updates include bare-filament lighting, an entire wall of rotary phones (the venue's most-photographed decorative element post-refresh), and rough-hewn wooden wallboards. The aesthetic shift moved the room from corporate-sports-bar idiom toward the broader Brooklyn-pub design language without abandoning the sports programming.
Beer & food
The beer program. 50+ draught taps (some sources cite 65+) — the largest draught beer selection in downtown Toronto. ~20 slots reserved for rotating Ontario and Canadian craft beer. Curated by GM Damon Kestle. Regular standards: Canadian, MGD, Labatt 50, Stella, Heineken. Craft rotation: Sawdust City Ol' Woody Alt, Wellington Terrestrial India Brown Ale, Spearhead Moroccan Spiced Ale, plus seasonal variants. Three-ounce sample flights available for variety-seeking drinkers. List rotates seasonally — check the venue's website for current taps.
The food. Pub fare with a refreshed menu (February 2025 overhaul). Chef Matt Rosen's signature items include fried goat cheese salad with figs, avocado-and-back-bacon sandwich on focaccia, plus standard wings / burgers / nachos / fish and chips / poutine. Portions consistently described as large in reader reviews. Vegetarian options available. Late-night kitchen on weekends. Average per-person spend $25-$45 depending on drinks.
Spirits and cocktails. Full bar with standard cocktail program. Wine list adequate, not a focus. The beer is the headline; spirits and cocktails are secondary support.
Private events. The Backroom is bookable for private events (10-50). The Downstairs Antler Room can be reserved for groups (50-100). Full venue / multi-space buyouts available for larger occasions (up to 800). Contact loosemoose@sircorp.com for group bookings.
The Loose Moose location & how to get there
Address. 146 Front Street West, Toronto, ON M5J 1G2 — between University Avenue and York Street, on the south side of Front. Street-level entrance.
TTC. Union Station (Line 1, the main downtown subway station) is 4 minutes' walk east. 504 King streetcar at King & University is 5 minutes north. GO Transit and Via Rail riders into Union have a direct walk to the venue. The PATH underground system connects Union to the venue's general vicinity — useful in winter.
Sports venues. Rogers Centre is 5 minutes' walk west via Front. Scotiabank Arena is 8 minutes' walk east via Front or via the PATH. CN Tower base is 5 minutes' walk west. The whole Toronto downtown sports / tourism triangle is walkable from the Moose.
Parking. Underground parking under nearby office buildings and the Rogers Centre / Scotiabank Arena complex — event-day pricing $25-$40. Public transit is faster on game days.
Uber / Lyft. Front Street works as a pickup zone but gets congested during arena event evenings. Try Wellington Street one block south as a cleaner option for ride share. Post-event surge pricing common in the area.
Nearby venues. Real Sports Bar & Grill (15 York St, 4 minutes' walk east, the massive MLSE flagship). The Pint Public House (227 Front W, 4 minutes' walk west, similar-scale sports pub). The Entertainment District nightlife cluster (Story / Mia / Rock 'n' Horse / Fifth Social) is 8-10 minutes' walk north.
The Loose Moose FAQ
Where is The Loose Moose?
The Loose Moose is at 146 Front Street West, Toronto, ON M5J 1G2 — between University Avenue and York Street, in the south Entertainment District / Maple Leaf Square area. Closest TTC: Union Station (Line 1, 4-minute walk east). Walking distance to Rogers Centre (5 minutes) and Scotiabank Arena (8 minutes). Phone: (416) 977-8840. SIR Corp parent.
How long has The Loose Moose been open?
Since 1989 — 36+ years. The Loose Moose is one of the longest-running downtown Toronto sports bars, originating before the Rogers Centre was even built (Rogers / SkyDome opened in 1989, same year). The venue has weathered the Entertainment District's transformations, including the King West condo boom and the 2025 mackaywong-designed Real Sports renovation just a few blocks east.
How many beers does The Loose Moose have on tap?
Over 50 draught beers — the largest draught selection in downtown Toronto per the venue's branding (Tripadvisor's listing references 65+). General Manager Damon Kestle thoughtfully curates the list, with approximately 20 spots reserved for a rotating selection of craft beer. Standards (MGD, Labatt 50) sit alongside harder-to-find craft (Sawdust City Ol' Woody Alt, Wellington Terrestrial India Brown Ale, Spearhead Moroccan Spiced Ale, etc.). Three-ounce sample flights available for indecisive drinkers.
What are The Loose Moose's hours?
Mon-Tue and Sunday: 11:30am-12am. Wed-Thu: 11:30am-1am. Fri-Sat: 11:30am-2am. Kitchen tracks the hours. The 11:30am opening means the venue serves an early-lunch crowd from the financial district plus a strong daytime sports viewership for international matches (Premier League soccer mornings, Champions League afternoons, etc.).
Does The Loose Moose have multiple floors?
Yes — three distinct spaces. The Upstairs Loose Moose is the main floor (vibrant, accommodates up to 150 guests). The Downstairs Antler Room offers a warmer rustic vibe, ideal for casual gatherings. The Backroom is private/adaptable, suited for intimate events or celebrations. Combined capacity scales to 800 across all spaces for events. Each space has its own character and audio-visual setup.
Is The Loose Moose good for Blue Jays games?
Yes — walking distance from Rogers Centre (5 minutes west). The 9-foot big-screen TVs across the venue make it a solid pregame and postgame default. Arrive 60-90 minutes before first pitch on Jays home game days. The venue caters to both the casual baseball fan and the dedicated who want to watch every pitch — multiple TVs throughout maintain coverage across angles. Sports bar atmosphere stays at conversational volume during day games, ramps up for evening start times.
What food does The Loose Moose serve?
Pub-grub menu refreshed in February 2025 with the venue's menu and decor overhaul. Chef Matt Rosen's menu (per GAYOT) includes innovative items like fried goat cheese salad with figs and the avocado-and-back-bacon sandwich on focaccia, alongside the standard burger / wings / nachos / fish and chips lineup. Famous for the size of portions. Average per-person spend $25-$45 depending on drinks.
How does The Loose Moose compare to Real Sports?
Both are walking distance to Scotiabank Arena / Rogers Centre, both are sports bars. Real Sports (15 York St) is the MLSE-operated 27,000-sq-ft destination flagship with a 39-foot HD screen and 200+ TVs — built for scale. The Loose Moose (146 Front W) is the smaller, longer-running neighbourhood pub with 50+ draught taps and a more conversational atmosphere. Real Sports wins on screen size and capacity; The Loose Moose wins on beer variety and "real pub" feel. If you've got arena tickets and want max-energy pregame, Real Sports. If you don't have tickets and just want to watch a game in a pub, The Loose Moose.
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How we verify this page
We build venue pages from a mix of the venue's official information, established Toronto sources, public review trends, and reader feedback.
- Address & venue details: The Loose Moose official site (theloosemoose.ca), Yelp (updated May 2026), Tripadvisor.
- Hours and operating details: Apple Maps data, venue's published hours, Yelp.
- Beer program (50+ taps, craft rotation): Streets of Toronto (January 2025 menu refresh feature), GAYOT restaurant guide.
- Multi-floor layout (Loose Moose + Antler Room + Backroom): Tagvenue venue rental listing.
- Chef and menu refresh: Streets of Toronto February 2025 feature on the menu overhaul, GAYOT (Chef Matt Rosen).
- 1989 founding: Tripadvisor venue listing ("favoured by locals and out-of-towners since 1989").
- Reader feedback: Aggregated Yelp 531+ reviews and Tripadvisor 1,174+ reviews (May 2026).
- Parent company: SIR Corp identified via venue's email contact (loosemoose@sircorp.com).