“It’s essentially a dive bar — but with good craft beer,” says Katie Whittaker, owner of Kensington Market’s latest, well, dive bar. On the same strip of Baldwin Street that houses Detour Bar and the Hot Box Café, Thirsty and Miserable is in good company. Named after a tune from Black Flag’s (then) controversial 1981 album, Damaged, the bar offers up a mix of local, Québécois and Belgian brews in a laid-back atmosphere.
Whittaker has been in the restaurant industry for much of her life, doing everything from washing dishes to cooking to serving. Citing a long-term interest in ales and such, she says the next logical step was for her to open up her own beer-slinging joint. Kensington’s eclectic tangle of people was the perfect setting — not least because it’s a quick bike ride away from her home.
After a month of cleaning up and redecorating the space, Whittaker opened her bar. Now, on one cherry-red wall, a strip of mirror underlines a series of punk-rock photographs; local producer Don Pyle’s shots include a snap of early Toronto punk outfit The Curse and Blondie’s Debbie Harry playing the El Mocambo back in 1978.
The menu is scrawled on bits of cardboard (which we’re assured isn’t just a rocker touch — chalkboards are to come), and highlights include Belgian picks Rodenbach Grand Cru, a sour ale, and Tripel Karmeliet, a fruity blonde beer with a hefty alcoholic content (both $8.50). Whittaker got hooked on the stuff when touring Europe with her old punk band, Brutal Knights.
Most of her draught beer is locally sourced: Spearhead’s Hawaiian Style Pale Ale and Denison’s Weissbier are joined by rotating Mill Street and Muskoka Brewery taps. Currently, the Ginger Beer and Mad Tom IPA are being poured, though the brews will change frequently. Unibroue’s La Fin du Monde, a triple-style golden ale, and Maudite, a strong red ale (both $5.50), are some of the Québécois offerings. Doing her very best to discourage denizens from ordering food, the menu is a bit of a joke; a Salisbury steakette TV dinner ($21.95) will goad hungered barflies into grabbing take-out from nearby spots.
“Hang out, have a beer, do what you want — but don’t break anything!” says Whittaker.
Thirsty and Miserable, 197 Baldwin St., 647-607-0134