The Swan: A Firkin Pub

I originally put a 2 star review on here because of an extremely poor experience on one visit. However following that review, the manager reached out and apologised profusely putting her hands up. She also invited us back, and we did so at approx the same day and time as our previous visit - and what a difference. Great service and good food - and we just love the rooftop patio. Will surely visit more regularly in future

Great ambiance and great staff! Especially Nicholas! The food is a hit or a miss, but there are a lot of options! And very accommodating!
There are a few other staff members, that were great too but I forgot their names, and they were Super friendly! And we noticed that there are a lot of regulars (as we have become Regulars as well!)

**To The Swan Owner: Thank you for the response! Also, I do have some feedback on some of the food. Unfortunately, the sauce that you serve with the Pretzels is not very good. Maybe there should be other options to choose from? Perhaps, just a cheese sauce without whatever spice is currently used, it is not very appetizing. We opted for the horseradish mayo, and that works nicely! I'm sure a creamy Honey or Dijon Mustard may work as well. Also, the portion size of the BangBang shrimp is too small, it tastes good, but the portion doesn't match the price!

I am always extremely careful in avoiding spicy selections on any menu that is presented to me. My dinner choice this evening was what I thought would be a very neutral Cobb salad. To my surprise it was extremely spicy and unfortunately I could not finish my meal. After a little detective work, my husband and I discovered that it was the guacamole. After speaking to both our waitress and then the manager on duty about perhaps mentioning on the menu that this component was “spicy” for fair warning, I was disappointed that neither staff member offered me any options for a meal that I had to push aside. I was not asking for the meal to be removed from our $100+ check but hoped one of the two staff members would have seen it appropriate to perhaps offer us a complimentary dessert or a coupon that could be used on a next visit. There will likely not be a next visit.

I have always been a big fan of this place. I had been away between November and May. I returned today and was rather shocked at the stench in the ground level area. I could not stay there because it reeked so badly. What did it reek of? Old smoke, though smoking is prohibited in there. Dirty bodies. General dirtiness. This establishment, not with standing its popularity and the good food that is served here, requires a thorough and comprehensive cleaning. Everything in here is old and grungy and needs a serious revamping. The upstairs patio is safe because it’s open air and you can’t smell the dirt that you can smell downstairs.

I went to The Swan on a Sunday afternoon. The space was nice and the food was great. The coffee wasn't the best but it could have been a bad time of day for coffee.

Great service and food! Check out the exclusive menu that they have on a chalkboard of the side of the diner, really gives a classic pub vibe.

Sitting upstairs on the patio is as good as ever! Watching Bloor West from Above. Wings were fantastic and crispy! Order the sauce on the side for extra crispiness

Get location on bloor street west. Very close to runneymede subway station. Lots of space from other people if you sit in the booths.

Nice service. Mundane breakfast. Maybe COVID-19, so hopefully the quality dials up in the future.

Nice place to gather with friends! Excelent menu! I am on the keto diet and they have keto bun optiom for burguers! That's incredible so yes! Nice menu

Meh. Waiter didn't know what they have on tap, beer selection was quite limited, there was a nosy lady who would shamelessly stare and listen to other people's conversations

I really enjoy frequenting the upstairs portion of this establishment. From brunch, to lunch to evening beers, it has a lovely atmosphere with friendly staff and a fantastic covered upstairs patio.

Downstairs is a fantastic winter pub and the rooftop patio is fantastic in the warm months. Great local spot. The menu could use a bit of an upgrade but not bad.

This has to be the most down to earth and satisfying place I have been to in the bloor west village! The staff are always so welcoming and very friendly. The crowd here is great, food is tasty and exceptional service all around from their staff. Kudos to Keasha and Alyssa for your prompt service - always going above and beyond!

Ryan was a good server. He served my friends and I and was very friendly and attentive. Just just genuinely did his job well.

I was actually at the Fox and John’s. I made a big mistake and forgot my mask. Had to use the washroom and offered to pay for a disposable mask so I could go inside. The server handed me a napkin.

As soon as I got to the Swan, my friends told the server inside that I didn’t have a mask, and they promptly found me one.

Kudos to the Swan - I’m glad I chose here as my return to outdoor dining!

Classic neighbourhood pub; friendly staff, relaxed atmosphere, breezy upstairs patio, sports on the TV's, decent food and prices. Recommended.

A classic pub, with classic pub fare. And one of my favourite local spots! Summers on the roof-top patio with a huge plate of nachos and a cold beer are what you can look forward to here. Staff is always friendly.

Before the pandemic I went in for a beer and sat at the counter in front of the bar. Nobody served me, eventually I left and went to a more welcoming bar

Got the veggie burger which came with onion ring and kettle chips. This was fantastic. But we also got a tuna bowl and we didn't know that the tuna would be raw kind of like Sushi. So we were not a huge fan of that. But their portions are huge and prices are decent.

Missed them over the past 7 months. Nice to be back. All do a fantastic job at making you feel welcome.

Great place. Came to do a pick up from Uber Eats and lady was so nice to let me use the washroom where previous places did not let me like we are animals! Cant wait for covid to be over to come with my wife from dinner. Great clean place and the food smelled amazing! 5 stars for sure. You will not be disappointed!

Great food and drink! Really enjoyed my time at the pub. The establishment is clean and pleasant. I enjoyed the fish tacos and my burger! I would recommend!

Was in to see the raptors game 6 against the Celtics. Waiter made sure I got a seat infront of a tv eventhough it was a last minute walk-in. Great service and atmosphere despite the covid restrictions, highly recommended especially the upstairs patio.

Nice food with a British menu. Offers plenty of seating indoor and out with TVs for sports and entertainment. Food is cooked well and tastes great. Really nice portions. I hope to pop back in when I’m next in town over the next few weeks

Great experience! Chilled at the bar. Keasha's "sunny" disposition encouraged my extended stay. It's amazing that I could come into this chill space and feel sooooo at home.

Plus I bought one of the last squares for the Superbowl thingy they had going on. Go Chiefs! And The Swan Rocks!

Good cheap house beer, usually $5 per pint. I'm not a huge fan of pub food but the nachos here are pretty amazing!

Staff was really nice there and super professional. I feel bad for them though they were run off their feet.

Had vegetarian poutine on menu, when we asked the staff it had beef gravy on. That is not vegetarian. I have previously ordered this as the menu says vegetarian. Edit, later now informed that it is vegetarian, quite promptly so good service in the end.

Great atmosphere and decor. I had a pint then my brother and had some wine-very good! I had a burger for lunch and it was yummy! The staff are great and really friendly!

I really like the Philly got Seoul sandwich and John did a great job taking care of our large party on the patio

A firkin establishment you know what to expect. 5 star review is for the staff. Sat at the bar, exceptional service, friendly and went above the line of duty.

Our favourite date night spot. Never had any reason for complaint. Cozy lighting, great food, good selection of drinks.

Great pub on Bloor. Didn't check out the upper floor but the main level was accommodating enough. Average pub menu with expected pricing. Surprisingly good Mojitos. Beer selection is decent. Service was very attentive - probably the strongest point of this place.

Was pretty toast when I got there but I think it was good service. Not crazy busy but still a time to be had.

I'm a big fan of the Firkin pubs and The Swan had a wonderful rooftop patio that is gorgeous in summer

Favorite place. The staff there are literally my favorite in the city. Ask for John, one of the best servers in the city.

Great place to meet up with friends for a good pint. Great staff, great managers. Anson and Keasha have made the ever night spectacular.

Good food and nice environment. Service is good and wait staff are friendly. Haven't been there for a while so when we went we were surprised that they change some menu items. Definitely not the place for a first date as it is very loud.

I was excited to eat here. One day I came in here around lunch time so it was not busy at all. I waited about 20 minutes to be serged while multiple staff passed me and didn't ask to fake my order, hand and a menu etc. So I ended up just walking out. Haven't been back since. Mind you I was sitting at the bar so I wasn't hard to miss. I was right there while there were staff right behind the bar too.

Food is always good here. But too many crying babies at brunch on St. Patrick's day and neither Heineken nor Stella on tap.

I was just at The Swan in Bloor West Village and had the worst possible experience. My fiancé and I walked in to see a please seat your self sign, which we did just that. Found a spot for two, had numerous servers walk by us without offering us a menu. After roughly 10min I went to the front And retrieved our own menus, we then processed to wait another ten minutes still not being acknowledged before we walked out.
We should not have had to wait 20min!
This service not acceptable! I am so disappointed in this Swan experience.

Lots of young people from the neighbourhood gather here in the evenings. Quick friendly service. For a pub, its very good and bright place. There can be lineups so its popular.

Above average Firkin pub. Friendly and efficient staff. Lots of different seating options. Plenty of screens. Outdoor seating (weather permitting) available. Typical pub fare, large servings. Good location in the heart of Bloor West Village, near Runnymede subway. Street parking.