Your experience will vary a lot based on the time of year you visit. In winter you have to sit inside. The interior feels kind of bare and ordinary. The atmosphere really isn't much during the winter, unless you know people. But in the summer the outdoor patio is almost always teeming with people and has a great atmosphere. Just as much for the people walking by on Queen St. as the people on the patio itself.

The food here is not spectacular. Go for the nachos or the chicken club if you do try something. But just having a few pints and socializing is a better option. A lot of good imports and microbrews on tap. One of the finer tap selections in the city. Look out for Murphy's Amber and Waterloo Dark respectively.

The service is fairly good. The busyness of the place sometimes can make the service a little slow and less personal but that's understandable. When things are quiet, service here is quite good.

Late morning and early afternoon can be a fairly relaxing time to sit out on the patio and read or watch the day go by. Lunch can be busy, and in the evening is when the place comes alive.

All in all it's a good place to take a break when you're downtown if you enjoy a pint every now and then.