An Irish alternative to the Danforth's chiefly Greek brand of hospitality, this spot balances a menu of Irish staples with live music, several nights a week. Supped to a toe-tapping soundtrack, fresh Guinness pours and proper fish and chips have rarely tasted so good.

This two-story High Park pub caters to grateful crowds with a lengthy list of libations, plus globally-inspired, scratch-made comfort food. When mild temps hit, you can take the party outside to the cozy back patio.

With a main bar and snug upstairs lounge, this sun-coloured Financial District spot is as suited to complete meals as it is to quiet drams sipped by the fire. A place that's been packing people in since the '60s, this one offers a varied menu — from Irish stew to wings, quesadillas, and more.

Celtic tunes add to the welcoming atmosphere at this relaxed pub at Church and Richmond. Beyond the plates of proper pub grub, pints, live music and sports keep customers endlessly entertained.

A toasty refuge in winter, this Cabbagetown pub also has a bright, pup-friendly patio, perfect for sunny days. Diners pair beer, cocktails, wine and more with items from the extensive menu, which jumps from nachos and Stout Caesars to lamb curry poutine and cottage pie.

Open daily, from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., this spot adds King West flair to the usual Irish-public-house formula. If you've ever longed to side your Guinness with pork dumplings, funghi pizza or crispy tofu in sticky sambal sauce, now you can.

No matter the time of year, a party atmosphere pervades this pub in the Entertainment District. Whether you shift your gaze to one of the vast room's big-screen TVs, its beer taps, dart boards or plates of uncomplicated fare, you're bound to find several things to hold your interest in the perpetually-crowded room.

The patriotism runs deep at this Etobicoke spot, where sports, music, beer and food come together in one staunchly Irish experience. Seven days a week, diners tuck into welcome bites, ranging from Irish nachos and Guinness Irish stew to bangers served with beans and mash.

Squeeze in beside the reams of regulars at this Etobicoke pub for hand-held foods and hearty mains washed down with pints of Guinness or Harp. With rotating food features plus live music most days of the week, it's not just weekends that are jumping.