A long-running watering hole that helped shape Toronto’s West Queen West as we know (or knew) it is apparently gearing up to make a return after suddenly shutting its doors in the fall.
Squirly’s, which graced the 807 Queen St. W. address for a whopping 36 years, gave its clientele a three-week warning that it would be permanently shuttering mid-November 2024, writing in a closure notice that “all good things must come to an end” and that it was simply “time to say goodbye” after a storied run.
The charmingly divey spot with its unrivaled indoor-outdoor back patio and extensive craft beer selection was beloved by many, a number of whom flooded onto socials to share their best Squirly’s memories and mourn yet another loss for both the area and the city’s hospitality scene.
The news was particularly painful in light of other nearby closures in recent years, serving as somewhat of a reminder that the once-hip strip seemed to be losing all of the character that once defined it.
Toronto bar that’s been around for 35 years is permanently closing https://t.co/vTrOU3NCYK
— blogTO (@blogTO) November 16, 2024
But, a cryptic post shared to Squirly’s’ social media this week makes it apparent that fans haven’t actually seen the last of the establishment, despite it closing its doors three and a half months ago.
“Due to popular demand and dismay, Squirly’s will be returning this spring under new (but possibly familiar) management,” reads the caption of the March 3 post, which is now only one of two on the bar’s Instagram account, along with the closure announcement from late October. “Stay tuned here for details and updates!”
Depicted is what looks to be the new logo for the business — still reading “Squirly’s Bar & Grill — and a photo of two staffers re-painting the space.
While owners have expressed that they’re not yet ready to reveal their plans for the space in detail, we’re looking forward to when we can share more information on the big revival.
