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Dystopian Dinner Theatre

Al Mac’s Bar & Grill

2481 Kingston Road

Cliffside Plaza has everything for the modern shopper.   A Rexall; Scotiabank; Dollarama; dentist; Subway Subs; that big canary No Frills; and, most importantly, a dive bar, Al Mac’s Bar & Grill.

Al Mac’s façade sits deceptively docile among those respectable retail chains.  Think of a mountain lion staring at you from the bushes before it drags you in.  But once you’re inside, it reminds me a bit of a modern Gin Lane by William Hogarth: fiesta, food, fun, and fighting. 

If all the world’s a stage then this is dystopian dinner theatre.  Best show starts Friday and Saturday nights.

The Nitty-Gritty:

Jacksoul Poster: No

Price: Reasonable. $4.50 domestic bottles. $3.75 12 oz draught

Service: Friendly and fast. Bartender was quick with a drink and a story of the carnage called her love life. Which seemed to involve all four regulars sitting at the bar.

Décor:

Scarborough Southwestern

Scarborough is big and full of many distinct areas with their own style and culture.  Keeping up with its dive neighbour, Chick-N-Burger, it dresses in a beer rep ensemble accented by ironic signage.  I think the true irony lies in the fact that their real function is to hide the fist craters in the dry wall. 

Washroom facilities:

Like a tandem bicycle, it can handle two men at once but it’s really awkward.

Cleanliness:

Spotless.  Except for the spots on the butt of the guy that mooned me.

Games/Amusements:

Billiards, karaoke, jukebox, TVs galore, catfights, fistfights, and the invitation to partake. (I chose to settle my differences with a dance off.)

Value-adds:

Earth Day Celebration

I visited on Earth Day and a woman celebrated The Three R’s by reusing her beer bottle as a weapon and striking a young lady in the head with it.

Ladies, there are men in uniform.

Police that is.  They show up to Earth Day celebrations.

Man, this lady should be in uniform.

A bartender who weighed little more than helium broke up a knife fight and administered first aid to one combatant’s stab wound. Everyone survived.

Haute couture

When the stylish enjoy a Campari in Milan’s osterias, they wear Gucci or Versace. When they sip fine wine in Paris cafes, it’s Dior or Hermes. For a cold Blue in the dives of Scarborough, it’s a Rock Eagle t-shirt. Available a few doors down at Kingston Fashion.

Great Dinner Theatre Fare

While wearing your Rock Eagle T-Shirt and watching all the action, be sure to try a burger—big and tasty.  Pizza is pretty good also.

Suggested musical accompaniment:

“Fiesta” By The Pogues

The Last Call:

Dive Bar Mike recommends this bar for anyone banned from the nearby Tara Inn or Victorian Monkey.

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