Popular bar in trendy Toronto community has changed overnight

A beloved neighbourhood bar in Toronto has changed into something new overnight.

East end denizens likely know well of the J. Arthur, a newer player in Leslieville, which has become an anchor for the neighbourhood’s pub crowd.

However, an Instagram post from yesterday shows that ownership has mixed things up and changed the name of this community nook.

“Arthur’s had a good run…but we had to ask him to leave,” read the post, which led on to reveal that the pub has a new sign that simply reads ‘The Jay.’

An easy fix, simply dropping half of the original name, but on top of that, the new name seems more fitting, as the building in which The Jay is tucked away has a sprawling and beautiful mural of a blue jay — making the location very easy to find.

 

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The pub had become quite a favourite with regulars, regardless of number of legs, as it famously hosted a ‘yappy hour,’ where guests could bring their dogs, mingle, and get some cheap drinks and pup cups.

With all this sudden change, ownership wanted to state right out of the gate that, despite a few tweaks, it is still “Same neighbourhood. Same great team. Same place you’ll want to spend your summer.”

This includes their menu, lauded for some of the best — and cheapest — wings you can still find in the city, dialling in at only $10 a pound, and praised for their perfect crispiness and flavour.

While Toronto is known for many places coming and going (these days too fast), the team at The Jay wanted to stress that sometimes, change can be good, stating bluntly, “Don’t worry, we kept all the good stuff.”

The Jay is now open at 1044 Gerrard St E in Toronto.