Inside Toronto’s newest country bar opening tomorrow, Canada Reviews

Brothers Graham and Dan Hnatiw (the minds behind Bar Cathedral, Eloise and Bar Cart) practically grew up in the neighbourhood, starting out at their family’s Old Spaghetti Factory. Now, they’re paying homage to Nashville royalty with Dolly’s Country Bar. Expect less velvet rope and more rhinestones: they’re promising a high-energy mix of late-night pizza, line dancing and pure, unadulterated country music. Dust off your boots!

A country bar is quite different from your other projects. What made this conceptappeal to you?

Dan: Live music really took a hit after COVID. You definitely hear from people who live in or transit into the city that there are venues that still exist but not ones that really cater to a country or country-curious crowd. Quite frankly, that is a massive music segment that, in my opinion, continues to grow. You own a lot of restaurants on The Esplanade. What is it about this area that keeps drawing you back?

Graham: I think it’s one of the city’s greatest street, and we know that it’s a popular item. We didn’t want to be too traditional with country western, where everything is BBQ, Tex-Mex, so we diverted away from that.

Will Dolly’s always be strictly country music?

Dan: It’s such a wide spectrum, but everything will have a country vein — from rock-focused country and bluegrass to traditional twang.

Graham: But if Lady Gaga walks in and wants to jump onstage, we’re not saying no. While we’re heavily leaning into country, we’ll always be open to incredible talent, regardless of genre.

How did you approach building the menu for the restaurant?

Graham: Pizza is a big component of the menu, partly because there is no pizza on the street, and we know that it’s a popular item. We didn’t want to be too traditional with
country western, where everything is BBQ, Tex-Mex, so we diverted away from that.

Is Dolly’s named after the Queen of Country, or is there another Dolly in your life?

Graham: Clearly we’re alluding to someone. She’s the perfect persona of what we love. It’s not named after her, but it’s the embodiment of what we’re trying to do — the great hospitality, spirit, loving and sharing that she represents.