Brass Monkey

The past Thursday evening was my first time at Brass Monkey. It was a small gathering with friends.

Lots of pool tables and places to sit if you want to talk

I don't drink alcohol but Crystal (the bartender) was the absolute BEST! I told her to surprise me with juice and soda water. I wasn't picky on what juice. I had some of the best mocktails, with combinations of pineapple juice, lemonade, cranberry juice and soda water. I had three mocktails and each time, Crystal told me to have just a small sip to see if I liked it wanted anything tweaked (I never had any of them tweaked).

Crystal is a gem when it comes to bartenders! She also has such a great, bubbly personality.

Wicked experience at The Brass Monkey this past Friday! It’s the first time I’ve actually gone into the venue and I was quite impressed. It’s very well kept and provides a casual home like vibe. We went out to watch Robyn Ottolini and Owen Riegling, and they both put on an epic show and we had a great time!

Mandatory coat check? Cash only? Make this more advertised so people can plan ahead instead of paying extra fees for no reason.

I saw prism there and was asked for I. D
At the time In was 52 years old
Just saw Alice Cooper tribute and the old man sitting on stool asked if I was stamped
For some reason I felt like a target
Very unprofessional along with the bar maid
Not very friendly

Excellent venue, lots of great artists show up there, very intimate also so you can see the artists from up close.

I've been here three times now for different events/shows:
-Mandatory $3 coat check at a seated comedy show.
-The layout is horrible. The stage should be where the bar is. It's awkward as the soundbooth blocks any chance of a decent view from far back. Also the wierd VIP raised up sitting area compacts the venue even more, and should not exist.
-Security is basically non existant past the entrance. I had to play moshpit security guard during the Unleash The Archers show to protect the crowd from a drunken leprachaun and a group of 45 year old frat boys who peaked in grade 13.
-Mandatory $3 coat check at a seated comedy show.
-The venue is either too hot, or too cold. No middle ground.
-The merch line is awkward by the pool tables, which aren't moved away for shows.
-You can see into the bands "resting area" at the back, which is hilarious.
-Mandatory $3 coat check at a seated comedy show. Honestly rediculous.

Went to see a comedy show but the staff talked throughout, I had a hard time hearing the show!

Went to see a small show. There wasn’t a lot of people there but it was still very warm. I could imagine how hot it could get for a bigger show.

Bathroom doors don’t close/lock properly, and based on the other reviews it’s been an issue for at least a few months and they don’t care to fix it.

Bar is cash only, and even if you ask for water you have to pay $6 a bottle for it (yes, plastic water bottles from Walmart for $6). There was no price for water from what I could see posted, so they could make up the price if they wanted to. I only asked for water because of how dry the air was and I started coughing, but if they can’t give out tap water for free, that’s kind of concerning for a hot crowded music venue.

Even without the previously mentioned experience, the vibes are really bad here. I don’t even mind a grungier, dirtier bar, this one is just particularly cursed. If it weren’t for going to see a show, I would never go there again.

Visited for the first time tonight for the Randy Feltface comedy show.
There was someone scanning tickets at the front, with no regards for what tier the tickets were. People were just sitting wherever they wanted.first come first serve.
Serious lack of organization.
We had to sit much farther back, which was disappointing. Especially having paid for P1 front row seats.

Just awful. I was there for a comedy show, they insisted on a coat check for my sweater, it's all cash only so I couldn't buy a drink, and the staff talked loudly through the entire show to the extent that I couldn't follow any joke. Even asking them to be a little quieter did nothing. They just sat there with their coats on their chairs speaking loudly over the show. Well, that's not fair, sometimes a few of them would get up and go stand someplace that directly completely obstructed the view.

After 30-40 minutes they quieted down but turned a loud fan on that made it really cold. Normally I'd have just put my sweater on but again, sweaters are considered coats which aren't allowed.

Just everything there seemed to show no interest in a patron having a decent time.

Pool cues are in rough shape, atmosphere is meh, but we had a decent time playing after many years

Just seen The Damn Truth what a show!
Great rock n roll venue
Thanks for a great night!

It's a good venue, just sound is terrible, which isn't owner fault. Water shouldn't cost that much, especially at metal/hardcore/punk shows. It's gotten dangerous in there with heat.

Saw The Acacia Strain and Fit for an Autopsy play here on a Monday. It was loud, hot and jam packed

I've been here for two different shows in the last 2 months, 1 month apart, and both experiences were terrible.

This is a great venue for intimate events, but packing over 100 people in here is insane. There's ZERO ventilation or AC at all, so you are DRENCHED in sweat along with everybody else. Both performers I saw claimed it was the HOTTEST show they had ever played and it really made them struggle.

Bathroom stalls had busted doors both times I went. Along with a broken stall. Having to try and hold the door shut with a HUGE lineup of people while trying to pee, not ideal.

Security is practically non existent. The second show there was a group who came in already plastered, and got incredibly rough with other people in the crowd who were not asking for it. Had people who were clearly high on anything and everything jumping on the stage and putting the performers in risky situations.

The bar is a joke. $10 for a tall boy can of beer. $9 for bar rail drinks. When we were there for VIP, the bar took hours to open because they didn't have ice. Meanwhile I watched them bringing in stuff clearly bought in normal amounts from the LCBO to load their fridges. The bartenders are great, with what they deal with they keep up with the crowds fairly well.

You're a billiards bar. Not the Canadian Tire center. If you want to be a decent venue and actually have bands come back, get some AC and rethink how you're currently running your establishment because you're putting so many people at-risk.

Went to a show here on July 10th and it was a fantastic venue! Bar service was great and I felt very safe at the venue. It does get a little hot but it's in a basement and beyond anyone's control. Awesome venue. Will be returning for more shows!

Great spot for bands or just a friendly night playing pool with your friends. Had an
amazing Canada's Day evening

Absolutely great concert put on by Rhapsody of Fire with Wind Rose, Seven Kingdoms and Lycanthro. Would definitely go back if any of them returned to the Brass Monkey

I was walking by the place at around 12: 30am tonight with some friends, heading towards the Tim Horton’s. One of the security lady (blond, tattoos, bigger build) proceeded to literally assault one of my male friend, absolutely unprovoked. Afterwards, she proceeded to follow/stalk us in the parking lot, making us feel very uncomfortable and unsafe. When my male friend told her to stop following us, she told us that she wanted to make sure that we got off « her » property. I answered by saying that not only did she physically assault him, she did not own a public parking lot, which we were just walking through to get to the Tim Horton’s. She then agreed/admitted to assaulting him, and showed no remorse, stating that as security, it was her right. I am absolutely disgusted by her actions and behaviour, which directly negatively impacts this establishment. I hope her actions are met with adequate consequences, as I am sure this was not her first time… I definitely do not recommend this UNSAFE bar!

Went to see a Queen cover band for my buddy's birthday. Nice pool hall type of bar. I was surprised they don't serve food, but they're not that kind of bar (which is totally ok). Great time, great drinks, and wicked music.

Great bar for band.but too many people with bad healthy air flow.great ambiance but too hot to support the heat. Hope this get better.

I like the venue, but drinks are very expensive and now there's a mandatory coat check:/