Is Duffy's Tavern Still Open? Restaurant Takeover Update (Toronto, ON)
Current status
As of October 2026, Duffy's Tavern is open — confirmed via the restaurant's current website/social account, accessed October 19, 2026.
Last verified
What the source shows: Songkick's gigography for Duffy's Tavern at 1238 Bloor St. W., Toronto, lists live shows through 2026-09-27 (including 2026-03-13, 2026-04-25, 2026-06-12 and 2026-06-26), and Bandsintown lists a show at the same address on Friday, October 23.
- Season / episode Season 2, Episode 9
- Original air date
- Address 1238 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6H 1N3
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What happened after Restaurant Takeover?
Duffy's Tavern, at 1238 Bloor Street West in Toronto's Bloordale neighborhood, shared the ninth episode of Restaurant Takeover (Food Network Canada) season two, titled "Duffy's Tavern (and Duffy's Diner)" (aired 2013-10-23). According to TVmaze's episode page, the tavern was open every day of the year and served as a second home for a large circle of regulars. Owner Harrison enjoyed being the big personality in the room but wanted to run a legitimate restaurant. Chef Corbin Tomaszeski and designer Cherie Stinson made major changes to the bar, and the episode asks whether Harrison, called the King of Good Times in the synopsis, would adapt by creating a space that drew families and higher-spending customers.
Two blogTO pages fill in the picture. A blogTO review of the tavern, undated on the copy read, describes a bar with a sign reading Since 1949, a stage upstairs, three pool tables downstairs and four TVs over the bar, and says Harrison planned to expand into the adjacent building. A blogTO page on Duffy's Diner says both businesses appeared on Restaurant Takeover and describes the diner as a retro spot next door that shares a kitchen with the tavern but has a slightly different menu. A blogTO announcement dated 2014-07 says the diner was under construction for more than a year before it opened and focuses on brunch.
A Google Maps listing for Duffy's Tavern at 1238 Bloor Street West, checked on 2026-10-19, shows the business as operational. The tavern's own website showed content no newer than 2016 and a file last modified in 2017 when it was checked on 2026-10-19, so it is not treated as current evidence. The blogTO pages read give no operating status for either business, and no news story or dated customer review turned up in the checks made for this entry.
Songkick's page for Duffy's Tavern at 1238 Bloor St. W., checked 2026-10-19, lists shows at the venue in 2026, including Obstruction on 2026-03-13, Obstruction and Capital Punishment on 2026-04-25, AloneKitty on 2026-06-12, Alex Southey on 2026-06-26 and Cretaceous on 2026-09-27. Bandsintown's page for the same address, checked the same day, lists The Sheep Destroyer Crew for a Friday, October 23 show.
Featured on Restaurant Takeover
- Show
- Restaurant Takeover
- Original air date
- Episode title
- Duffy's Tavern (and Duffy's Diner)
- What was featured
- Long-running Bloordale tavern whose owner wanted a legitimate restaurant, plus the diner next door.
- Role
- Featured restaurant
- Name on the broadcast
- Duffy's Tavern
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Visit info
- Address
- 1238 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6H 1N3
- Venue type
- bar
- Official website
- duffystavern.ca
- State hub
- TV restaurants in Ontario
Businesses change fast. Always confirm directly with the restaurant — call ahead, or check its own current website or social media — before making plans around anything on this page.
Sources
- tvmaze.com — https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1476021/restaurant-takeover-2x09-duffys-tavern-and-duffys-diner
- blogto.com — https://www.blogto.com/bars/duffys-tavern-toronto/
- blogto.com — https://www.blogto.com/restaurants/duffys-diner-toronto/
- media.blogto.com — https://media.blogto.com/announcements/2014/07/retro_diner_next_to_duffys_tavern_now_serving_brunch
- Google — https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Duffy%27s+Tavern+1238+Bloor+St+W+Toronto+ON+M6H+1N3
- songkick.com — https://www.songkick.com/venues/786316-duffys-tavern/gigography
- bandsintown.com — https://www.bandsintown.com/v/10012129-duffy's-tavern
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Record rto-022 · last verified .