The Ballroom

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The Ballroom
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The Ballroom

See all 56 Reviews ›

Address:
145 John St.,
Toronto, ON M5V 2E4

Neighborhood:
Downtown Toronto

Getting there ›
Cuisine:
Comfort Food

Price: CAN$30 and under

More Details ›

The Ballroom Details

Dining Style: Casual Dining
Website: http://www.theballroom.ca
Email: office@theballroom.ca
Phone: (416) 597-2695
Hours of Operation: Lunch Menu: 12-4pm daily
Dinner Menu: Sun-Wed 4-11pm Thurs-Sat 4-midnight
The Bar and Lanes are open until midnight Monday and Tuesday and 2am every other day
Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Comfort Food, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Contemporary American
Executive Chef: Aarik Persaud
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Smoking Area, Smoking Area (patio only), Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Private Party Contact: Nicole Murphy (416) 591-5329
Entertainment: Often feature Live music, DJ's and Live Band Karaoke
Special Events & Promotions: The perfect venue for any Corporate Events or Private Functions please call and talk to our Events Department.

Getting there

Cross Street: Richmond
Public Transit: 5 minute walk from Osgoode subway station
Parking: Public Lot
Parking Details: Public Parking beside building

A word from The Ballroom

There's a new alternative for entertainment in clubland, where you can still act like a kingpin from the gutter with perfect game, but your friends won't laugh at you when you strike out.

It's called The Ballroom, Toronto's only downtown bowling alley, now open for business at the corner… of Richmond and John.

There are 10 bowling lanes, ping pong tables, a sports-bar and a restaurant.

"I just thought there was a need for something original in this city. This is Toronto's first downtown bowling alley in 30 years."

You can even book two private lanes complete with your own full service bar!

Please note that all reservations are for the dining room, and all the lanes are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Continued

The Ballroom

3.6

56 CAN$30 and under restaurant

Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerGood for Groups
Diners' Choice WinnerVibrant Bar Scene

Featured Reviews

More Reviews ›

Reviews from OpenTable Diners Learn More

63 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 3.7 / 5

Food

(Very Good) 3.2 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.9 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

63 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 3.7 / 5

Food

(Very Good) 3.2 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.9 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

Filter Reviews By:

Diners classify this restaurant as:

good for groups(53)
special occasion(27)
hot spot(23)

late-night find(16)
vibrant bar scene(15)
neighborhood gem(11)

Current OpenTable.com Diner Reviews (63)

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Had such a great time! Bowling

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 31/03/2012

2011

Dined on 31/03/2012

2011

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Had such a great time! Bowling for an hour or two is such a great way to break up a night out. Good crowd and good music. Food is a little over-priced for what it is but that's not the main attraction anyways. Can't wait to go back!"

Dined on 31/03/2012

2011

Special Features: good for groups, special occasion, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Good food and fun

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 26/03/2012

2009

Dined on 26/03/2012

2009

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"We had a great time at The Ballroom! We were there on a Monday night, so the restaurant section was quiet although there were a few patrons there (of course the bowling area is noisy). The food was yummy, the ultimate in comfort food! My fried chicken dish was fantastic: the chicken wasn't salty, and the mashed potatoes delicious. My friend tried the pulled pork sandwich and said that she thoroughly enjoyed it. My sister and other frind tried the mushroom poutine, and said it was good also, but on the salty side. The portions were very generous.Our server was attentive and friendly. Luckily, there was a lane available after we finished dinner, and despite some technical problems with the pin setter, we had a great time bowling."

Dined on 26/03/2012

2009

Special Features: good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch

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Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

To dine or not to dine!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 17/03/2012

2012

Dined on 17/03/2012

2012

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"We reserved the Ballroom for a birthday party for a group of 30 people and it was a disaster. They sat our group 5 feet away from a rock band that was playing, blasting music at us. They moved us to another area after complaining and requesting a manager. Orders for more than half our guest were incorrect and took forever just to get our drinks. Food was ok, nothing special to be honest. Would not recommend anyone go here to dine. Bowling maybe but not to eat. I will never be going back here, neither will anyone that was a part of our group."

Dined on 17/03/2012

2012

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

The bowling was great. Downstairs,

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 24/03/2012

2012

Dined on 24/03/2012

2012

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"The bowling was great. Downstairs, the women who work there were real, helpful and well-organized.

In the restaurant it took forever for our food to come, to the point where my extemely patient friend was getting upsept, which I have never seen happen before. The food was good. But how can you tip the waitress less, when its really not her fault that the food has taken so long?

I think you guys need a capuccino machine."

Dined on 24/03/2012

2012

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

was an excellent time! Very

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 17/03/2012

2012

Dined on 17/03/2012

2012

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"was an excellent time! Very fun atmosphere - love the bowling alley. The food was a bit diappointing. But overall awesome place to hang out."

Dined on 17/03/2012

2012

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, late-night find, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Great place to have fun with

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 16/03/2012

2010

Dined on 16/03/2012

2010

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Great place to have fun with your friends, so much to do."

Dined on 16/03/2012

2010

Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

More like 2.75 stars. I booked

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 15/03/2012

2012

Dined on 15/03/2012

2012

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"More like 2.75 stars. I booked a table of 8 for my 40th birthday. All in all I had an amazing time but that was due to my amazing friends. Our servers were attentive and took care of the giant Spiderman cake my wife brought. The drinks were expensive but I wasn't buying so it didn't matter. I had the beef poutine and it was yummy. As the other reviewers have stated it was frustrating to book a lane. We arrived early and our servers said they would take care of it but after a long wait my buddy went down to the lanes and took care of it himself which is what they suggested we should have done in the first place.I don't think I'll return but as I said my friends made the night of my 40th a great night."

Dined on 15/03/2012

2012

Special Features: good for groups

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

I haven't found a place with

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/03/2012

2012

Dined on 02/03/2012

2012

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"I haven't found a place with such a great combination of vibrant atmosphere, tasty food, personal service, live music, fun activities and big TVs anywhere else in Toronto. Once you go, you will not be able to wait to return."

Dined on 02/03/2012

2012

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

The Ball Room is a great place

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 24/02/2012

2012

Dined on 24/02/2012

2012

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"The Ball Room is a great place to relax with a group of friends, with round booths conducive for talking, and lots of TVs turned to multiple games so you always have something to watch. While the menu is standard bar fare, the food is bit more polished then other comparable bars and fairly reasonably priced. My only comment about the food would be that the portions are on the small side. Finally, my only gripe with the reservation is seemingly slow service (for example: my friend arrives late, the waitress comes over right away to get his drink order, but it doesn't come until 15 minutes later) throughout the night."

Dined on 24/02/2012

2012

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

service was fantastic, food

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 20/02/2012

2012

Dined on 20/02/2012

2012

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"service was fantastic, food was good but some portions were just too big. cocktails should be 1 shot or 2 , mojitos delicious but no need to pay for 2 shots if i only wnt 1 drink.
bowling was a dissappointment, didn't get to bowl, too long a wait. understaffed in the bowling area although the young woman running around doing everything was very pleasant."