The Black Hoof

Thursday night was Alex's bday, so we went out for fancy pants cocktails at the fancy pants Black Hoof cocktail bar on Dundas West. http://theblackhoof.com/

I was a little leery because of the mixed reviews Claire and I read online, but the place was actually really cool.


location: bit of a hike for us from the bus stop and you have to walk past Christie Pitts Park, so maybe don't walk alone?

decor: the only outside signage was a small fluorescent "cocktail bar" sign in the bottom of a window so look out for that if you're trying to find it. Inside there was a hammered tin ceiling, romantic low lighting and painted white wood cupboards above the bar, housing the extensive glassware collection.

ambience: the lighting and the 1920s era playlist definitely created a chic and romantic mood, great place to bring a date if you are trying to impress (ie. go for the kill!)

service: I expected more snobbishness, but our bartender was fabulous. He was the only staff at the bar and he made each of our beverages exquisitely, didn't seem at all bothered that we were nursing our drinks for an exorbitantly long time and he constantly came by to refill our water glasses from a vintagey-looking glass water bottle. 10 out of 10!

drinks: the drinks were wonderful, delicious, unique etc. They are all served in the specific glass suited for the beverage, with the specific garnish to finish off (Ally had a drink that came with a rose petal on top) and they are really meant to sip and enjoy. I know very little about cocktails in general, my personal expertise extends as far as making a gin and tonic or a rum and coke. I found this blog review that has a great explanation of the drinks and how they are made etc. so check it out if you are interested. http://porkosity.blogspot.com/2011/07/black-hoof-cocktail-bar.html

price: so this the huge downside of the Black Hoof. Cocktails start at $9 for a 1oz drink. I had the "Martinez" a 2 1/2 oz Cocktail and that cost $12 and I delicately sipped at it for 2 hours. Also, many of the 2oz cocktails are about $16. I only ordered the Martinez because my thrifty mind calculated it to be the best deal on the menu.

Overall, it was a neat place, but don't plan on going there to get loaded unless you are loaded. The crowd there is definitely more of a 30+ demographic. Perhaps a place to hunt out sugar daddies/mommies??