North End

I don’t have time for gear that fails when I’m three days into a backcountry trek. I’ve been using The North-End Gear Lab in Toronto for over four years now & quite frankly, they are the only people I trust to handle my technical equipment. This isn’t your typical retail shop filled with flashy, aesthetic display units. It’s a lab. It’s functional, purpose-built, and focused entirely on durability and technical performance. The staff here aren't "salespeople"—they are alpine specialists, engineers, and long-distance hikers who actually stress-test the gear they sell. When you ask them about the hydrostatic head rating on a tent or the thermal efficiency of a specific down fill, you get an immediate, data-driven answer, not a script. Their repair department is the highlight. I’ve brought in gear from across four different brands - high-end shells with torn seams, worn-out pack suspension systems & stoves with stubborn ignition issues. They don’t just "patch" things up; they restore the gear to its original technical specs. The craftsmanship is surgical. They have a massive inventory of specific, hard-to-find hardware parts, meaning you aren’t waiting weeks for a manufacturer to ship a buckle or a zipper pull. The pricing is transparent & they are always honest about the "point of no return" - if a piece of gear is beyond safe structural repair, they will tell you straight, rather than taking your money to do a band-aid job. If you value longevity and need gear that you can rely on when the weather turns, this is your hub. They don't sell trends; they sell reliability. 10/10 service every single time.

This is one of the more easy-going bars in the Boystown area, but it still gets crammed full of terrible customers and the staff don't seem to care about managing it. The last time I went here, I had an entire bag of stuff stolen after leaving it on the bar for a few minutes. I know the bartenders can't be responsible for watching everything, but it definitely made me not want to go back. The people next to us were incredibly rude while we played darts. It's just like any other Boystown bar...full of boring, rude people who will steal your stuff and make you feel like you're not welcomed.

Great bar with a fun vibe, clean space, and friendly staff. I had a really good time overall. The only downside was that the ordering felt a little up-sell heavy. When I ordered a vodka soda, I was automatically given Tito’s instead of a house vodka, which came at a higher price that wasn’t mentioned. I also asked for a black cherry White Claw and was told they only had it in the more expensive High Noon, which felt a little off. Still a great spot and I’d definitely come back — I just wish pricing and drink options were a bit more transparent.

I always have a great experience at The North End! The staff is so friendly and the atmosphere is welcoming and fun! The raspberry Cheeck & Chong’s THC seltzer is also so good!

One of the best bars north of Addison, in northern Northalsted/Boystown area.

For a gay dive bar it's a 5/5. Friendly staff and friendly patrons. They have a variety of games (darts, pool) and TVs usually streaming sports. I like...

It really is a great neighborhood bar where they know your name and if you go often enough they know your drink, ask for the bartender Labake (la-ba-kay),...

The atmosphere at The North End is unpretentious and welcoming. It's my favorite gay neighborhood bar especially with Jesse and Javier. They are the best...