Release Date:

Nov 13, 2025

Goodbye to the Imperial Pub’s cold beer, old couches, and warm vibes

The Imperial Pub – one of Toronto’s oldest pubs – closes this week. The pub opened in 1944 in the middle of WWII – but saying how old it is doesn’t capture why so many Torontonians feel that when this pub closes, it will take a bit of Toronto’s heart and soul with it. Mary Wiens asked owner Fred Newman what it means to him.