Skwish opens second location in Leslieville

Photo: Dean Seguin

One of Leslieville's most well-known heritage buildings has a fresh face and new direction. 

Skwish is ready to go at Queen and Curzon in the former space of PO Box 1192, Rock Lobster and The Curzon.

Following the same formula as its original Beaches location that launched in summer 2015, Skwish is a 70-seat space with 24 craft taps, a rotating menu and a "unique and fresh take on the gastro pub concept."

"We source local food and take pride in the fact that everything is hand-crafted," says operations manager Stefanie Pagliaro. "We don't own a freezer and everything comes in fresh daily. Our goal is to provide a personal dining experience to all of our guests."

Skwish is launching with specials nearly every day of the week including a daily "hoppy hour" from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Fridays until 7 p.m.), which includes craft pours for $4.95, $1/oz. house wine and $4.25 bar rail.

Taco Tuesdays will rotate each week with a $5 taco, and Wednesdays feature buck-a-shuck oysters starting at 5 p.m. until they're sold out. "It's always good to arrive  early as they go quickly," Pagliaro says. 

Skwish will have live music every Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. D DJ will spin music Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to midnight. 

“The reception for craft food and beverage has been better than expected at our Beach location," says owner Brad Taylor. "The move to open in Leslieville is a great fit for our brand as we hope to bring craft food and beverage to another very supportive neighborhood."

Chef Robin Prasad has also created a small catering menu for restaurant buy-outs, large bookings or off-site events. A lunch and weekend brunch program is expected to be in place by Dec. 5. 

Can Skwish be the business that finally breaks the curse of this corner space? Time will tell. 

Skwish is now open daily at 4 p.m. at 1192 Queen St. E. For more information and to take a look at the menu, visit skwishbar.com.