The group behind the popular Toronto sports bar has acquired the Black Bull Tavern

Toronto's oldest bar, which has now closed for good, was bought by people for the business's second location in the city, among the popular King Street sports bar.

Last week, news that the Black Bull Tavern, Toronto's oldest bar at nearly 200 years old, would be closing on April 3 sent shockwaves through the city.

Even more shockingly, the bar closed a day earlier than planned, with a massive outpouring of patrons in the days leading up to the closing causing the bar to completely run out of alcohol and food a day ahead of schedule.

While the Black Bull Tavern will certainly be missed as a historic property and community building, there is some exciting news about what the future holds for 298 Queen West.

blogTO has confirmed that the property has been purchased by Score Pub Group, owners of King West's Score on King, and the bar will be Score's second Toronto location.

“We've been working closely (with the previous owners) on this deal for several months,” Score Pub Group COO Mitch McDougall told blogTO, adding that it's “an honor to have the opportunity to take over” Score. space.

It's important to pay homage to the historic bar's long and storied history, Mitch said, adding that they will keep artwork and items that pay tribute to the bar's last owner, Bobby Taylor, who ran the Black Bull since 1975. until his death in 2023.

“The bar is a little shiny,” Mitch tells blogTO, noting that it's been decades since any significant work has been done there, “but the building isn't going anywhere.”

The bar will be closed for the next few months as it undergoes extensive renovations, with Mitch adding that former Black Bull Tavern staff will be given the opportunity to interview when recruitment begins at the new bar.

While an exact opening date for Queen on Score has yet to be determined, Mitch told blogTO they're optimistic that Toronto bar-goers will be able to sip one of Score's famously bold Caesars on the Queen and Soho patio in late summer 2024.

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