When I started out at as a barfly, in the 1970s, many bars had TVs but they were only turned on for things like the World Series or local playoffs. Most of the time they were not flickering in the background distracting from the event at hand... going out for a drink. These days most bars have TV on constantly; patrons (when not looking at their cell phone) constantly glance up at the one-eyed beast, even when consciously trying to avoid its stare.

This web site is meant to be a paen to some of my (and I hope others')  favourite drinking establishments. Places which don't constantly offer up the annoyance of TV.  This is not a compendium of dive bars, classic bars, micro breweries or any other classification of bars. It is a resource of bars I like, and some I don't, places which offer a place to drink without the distraction of TV.  I include places with live music, magic, DJs, cover charges or, my favourite, places with no entertainment except the scene and the libations.

Cafe Artscience

Hard to describe this place, certainly no TVs, a lot of trendy ambiance and superb bar tenders. No draft been, careful and small selection of beers and wonderful cocktails. Opened NOV 2014.

Open Mon-Sat morning to midnight, Sunday noon to five.

Full bar, no cover, no live music. Expensive.

JM Curley

A downtown bar that looks like a bar should. Good bartenders, open late, very mixed crowd, serious drinking at times. Excellent selection of beer, especially local micro breweries on tap.

Open Mon-Sunday till 2AM

Full bar, no cover, no live music, Moderate.