Church Street's most creative bar — Pretty Ugly combines ever-changing art installations, a serious cocktail program, and a genuinely inclusive crowd in one of the Village's newest and best spaces. The name is the vibe: unconventionally attractive, a little rough around the edges, absolutely worth your time.
Neighbourhood: Church & Wellesley / Gay Village · Address: 759 Queen St W, Toronto, ON · Hours: Wed–Sun 5pm–2am
Why Visit
Pretty Ugly is where cocktail geeks and art weirdos meet—expect rotating local art shows, an ever-changing menu, and a genuinely friendly crowd. It’s the rare gay Village bar that’s as serious about mezcal as they are about drag nights.
What Makes It Unique
Unlike other Church Street bars, Pretty Ugly combines a proper mixology focus with a creative, scrappy approach to art and décor. The drink list changes every few weeks and the walls double as a rotating gallery for emerging queer artists. The energy here is unpolished—in the best way—and you never know what you’re walking into.
Pretty Ugly in the Church-Wellesley Village is one of Toronto's most genuinely fun LGBTQ+ bars — a venue that embraces playfulness and an irreverent aesthetic without sacrificing quality in either the drinks or the programming. The name captures the attitude precisely: an embrace of contradiction, of things that don't fit neatly into conventional categories, which maps well onto a bar serving a community that has always had to construct its own definitions of beauty, identity, and belonging.
The bar's visual identity leans into maximalist kitsch — the décor draws from 1970s suburban aesthetics, garage sale finds, pop art references, and a general willingness to put things on walls that don't belong together and make them cohere through sheer commitment to the aesthetic. The result is a space that photographs well and feels genuinely different from the generic darkness of most nightlife venues.
Pretty Ugly programs a mix of DJ nights, themed parties, karaoke, and community events that make it a weekly destination for regular Village visitors rather than a one-time novelty. The karaoke nights in particular have developed a following — the Village's theatrical energy, combined with the bar's inherently participatory atmosphere, produces karaoke evenings that are among the most entertaining in the city regardless of vocal quality. The crowd sings along, the performers play to the room, and the shared embarrassment of public singing becomes genuinely joyful.
The cocktail menu reflects the same playful approach as the décor — drinks with silly names but solid execution, crowd-pleasing flavours, and a price point that acknowledges the Village bar demographic's economic diversity. Pretty Ugly is for everyone, and the bar means that inclusivity not just in terms of identity but in terms of what it costs to have a good time there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of bar is Pretty Ugly?
Pretty Ugly is an LGBTQ+ bar in Toronto's Church-Wellesley Village with a playful, maximalist aesthetic. It programs DJ nights, themed parties, and karaoke alongside a full bar menu. The atmosphere is welcoming, fun, and deliberately irreverent.
Does Pretty Ugly have karaoke?
Yes — Pretty Ugly runs karaoke nights that have become popular Village events. The bar's theatrical crowd and participatory atmosphere makes the karaoke experience genuinely entertaining. Check their current schedule for specific karaoke nights.
Where is Pretty Ugly bar?
Pretty Ugly is on Church Street in the Church-Wellesley Village. Wellesley station on Line 1 is the nearest subway. The 506 Carlton streetcar runs nearby along Carlton Street.
Is Pretty Ugly expensive?
Pretty Ugly is moderately priced by Toronto nightlife standards, with cocktails in the $12–18 range and a price point designed for accessibility across the Village's economic demographic. It's more affordable than the upscale cocktail bar tier but above a true dive bar.