Six Queer Folks Walk Into a Sports Bar: Left Field Brewery is Open for Everyone

Six queer folks walk into a sports bar.

No joke. That's how we spent one damp and dreary Sunday in Toronto. Phil and I, with four friends, walked into Left Field Brewery. The only games playing that night were trivia and bingo. No sports knowledge needed as the theme was 80s and the hosts were two local drag artists, Messy Margaret and Pam. This could've been the lighthearted whim folks needed after that morning's Canada vs. U.S. gold-medal hockey game at the Olympics.

A drag show in a sports bar might be a set-up for potential fouls, but Left Field Brewery pitches no curve balls - they are open to everyone. The front display is lined with “Beer For Everyone” merchandise, highlighting their commitment to an open, inclusive community. They proudly fly the Black Lives Matter and Pride flags, a home field advantage for any away teams that might wonder how they will be treated.

There were no double entendres or references to balls, bats, dugouts or sluggers. Left Field Brewery created its own references and levity that embraces the fact that all sports, forever, have included every group of people. As a sports outside, I immediately felt a part of the roster.

Six queers folk took a seat at a wooden table and benches, strategizing over their starting line up: which beers to start with. A camp menu with pastel cartoons of talking baseballs. Upon scanning the menu, we found one piece of information we were not privy to: this location has no kitchen. The bar was stocked with chips and popcorn, but the other attendees (possible regulars) came prepared, as the Leslieville location invites guests to order in their own food. Our table would eventually be strewn with empty bags of bar snacks in an attempt to offset the beer. Noting this in the playbook for future visits - bring heftier carbs.

Messy Margaret and Pam were the umpires to the teams and the on-field entertainment. Both queens performed a medley of 80s hits by Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, Heart and Cher. Margaret dazzled in a two-piece purple tracksuit with a bouncy perm. Her energy was that of a PTA 'fun mum' you simultaneously want to drink spiked Tab with and afraid to cross.

Messy Margaret serving you PTA mom realness

Six queer folks felt their oats into the second half of the game. Bingo rounds were won by our table, taking home victory six-packs in cute lunch bags. Another team celebrated a birthday, sharing a rich, chocolatey slab cake with everyone. With only about twenty people in attendance, connections were easily built with small gestures. I still rate the cake a 4 out of 5.

As the innings went on, the frothy suds fueled the competitive spirit. Minor league squabbles formed between the teams and hosts around the validity of trivia questions (who would you say performed on the Berlin Wall and why is the answer "a lot of people"?). Some calls made by the umpires had teams kicking up dirt. They stayed decisive and made fair plays. No one was thrown out, because we were all there for the fun of it all, right? For a Sunday night, this was far more rowdy that I anticipated, but even more so, jubilant. 

Laughter rang throughout even the dampest of moments. Phil got drenched by a wayward pint, as our players swung their arms in excitement. He must have been named captain and commemorated as such, like being doused in orange drink from the giant McDonalds jug. Ever the good sport, he laughed along with the rest of us. My face was numb from it all, so I decided to give into the signals - swing for the fences. There was no better play to be made.

The night wrapped up with final performances from Margaret and Pam - remember to tip, folks! Before departing for our next location and heading into extra innings, I got a glimpse at the events calendar. Left Field Brewery offers something for everyone: Draughts & Crafts, trivia nights, puzzle building and more drag-centered events. Dogs are welcome, too. 

I wish I had this within walking distance of my house, maybe I would leave it more.

Six queer folks headed out into the streets of Leslieville: loud and liquidated. Our team, with wet pants, walked down to Gerrard Street and Eulalie’s Corner Store for one last drink and something to line our stomachs. 

What we received that night came way out of left field - a comradery with the home team. We laughed, we chanted, we might have done the wave at some point. It was all in the spirit of the game.

I think I get sports now.

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More about Left Field Brewery, Leslieville

Website: https://www.leftfieldbrewery.ca/

Location: 36 Wagstaff Drive, Toronto (see map below)

Liberty Village: 40 Hanna Avenue Suite G1, Toronto

From our hotel (The Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville):

• TTC: Head west on the Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) to Greenwood station. Can walk (1.2 kilometres/15 minutes) or take bus 31 (Greenwood) south to Ivy Avenue stop (8 minutes)
• Parking is limited, with Green P lots within walking distance. Best to Uber, Lyft or take a Beck taxi.