free drinks toronto

Bar in Toronto gives free drinks if you beat their bartender in chess

It's true when they say the geeks will inherit the earth. Or at least a few free drinks. 

The bar at Three Monks and a Duck in Toronto comes with a unique twist: a built-in chess board. The bartender is actually a chess master, and anyone who can beat him earns a free drink. 

Bartender Lev Marklov was trained by a master chess player in Russia and regularly challenges customers who take a seat at the bar.

"We try to hire, of course by bartending/cooking knowledge, but also personality and other unique skill sets," says a spokesperson for Three Monks and a Duck. "We're in the process of hiring additional bartenders for the fall season, and are on the lookout for unique talents."

The restaurant serves a menu of vegan, vegetarian and meat options with Asian influences. They're also running an eight-for-$8 mimosa deal during their brunch service on Saturdays and Sundays, and offer buck-a-shuck oysters all day on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Lead photo by

Hector Vasquez


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Eat & Drink

The best grocery stores and loyalty programs for newcomers in Canada

Toronto restaurant that's served fish 'n chips for almost a century shuts down

Matty Matheson opening new restaurant in Toronto

Loblaw named among Canada's top 100 employers for 2025

Toronto restaurateur reminds us to support older restaurants if we want them to survive

Even more carrots recalled in Canada over potentially deadly contamination

Brazilian coffee chain with nearly 300 locations globally is opening in Toronto

Toronto cafe that's been around for 15 years is permanently closing