I'm going to be in Toronto for a weekend in March. I'll be staying at the Hilton, but I don't mind walking fairly far. Where's the best pub to watch a hockey game to get the local flavor? The Leafs are at home, but I don't want to even try to get tickets.

I'm thinking of a night with a loud crowd, Canadian beer, and a cuban cigar.

FYI: I don't know the exact ordinance, but Toronto is non-smoking in pubs/bars; there are special walled off (or glassed off) areas with ventilation. Make sure you find a place that allows cigar smoking.

It all depends what you are looking for, I have awatched several games at a place on Younge st called the Irish embassy. Good food, beer and its not to far from the ACC so you get many fans there. There is also a few killer beer bars in Toronto. One is called Beer Market on the Esplanade, and the other is Beer Bistro on King St. Smokless Joes is stumbling distance from the Hilton ( I have done this many times! ) They serve little food but have a AWSOME beer selection!! Lots of Belgiums^

You can also just walk around Downtown TO and hit a good bar, there are many!

Another place to watch the game is at Wayne Gretzky's Restaurant at 99 Blue Jays Way....Great game day ambience.

FYI: I don't know the exact ordinance, but Toronto is non-smoking in pubs/bars; there are special walled off (or glassed off) areas with ventilation. Make sure you find a place that allows cigar smoking.

The "glassed off" areas are no longer allowed under the province-wide smoking ban which came into effect last year. So pretty much all indoor public spaces are now smoke free.