Mustard yellow, with a smiley-faced logo, menu of sliders, tots and budget drinks, Little Italy’s most anticipated arrival is poised to delight both ardent fans and waves of Toronto newcomers.
Set to breathe life into the sizeable location recently vacated by All Star Wings & Ribs, Pennies Bar is bringing its cheap-and-cheerful brand of hospitality to a new area of town.
“It’s always been the plan to open up a second location,” says owner James Bateman. “We survived Covid, which really feels like a proof of concept for us.
“We’ve been looking for a great next spot with a corner patio, and we’ve always loved the energy and culture of the College Street West strip,” he adds. “We see it as a classic Toronto location for our classic slider joint.”
Known for its menu of sliders—from cheeseburger to veggie El Paso melt—Pennies is also adored for its crispy loaded tater tots, happy-hour deals and laidback energy. At its new location, enthusiasts will find the Pennies Bar menu they know and love.
“We’ve consistently been developing a menu that resonates with our customers,” says Bateman. “No matter which of the two Pennies locations you visit, you can expect the same classic Pennies menu.”
Cozy in winter, Pennies’ original Strachan outpost positively buzzes with life come summer, thanks to its wrap-around patio and the lure of happy-hour cans of PBR.
“The Pennies patio is a huge part of our brand, and this new location will not disappoint,” assures Bateman, adding that the patio at Pennies Bar 2.0 will accommodate 130 guests. It will also, he explains, include a unique “inside/outside” bar.
Designed by Future Studio, the dining room will be “a really fun take on the Pennies interior.”
Though the team hasn’t shared an official opening date, the whiff of griddled beef patties and frying tots is sure to point you toward Pennies Bar College Street the second it opens this summer.
