Mickey Limbo's replaces Dakota Tavern on Ossington
A new casual bar with backing from Apt. 200 and Bar Isabel owners has soft-opened where the iconic neighbourhood dive bar stood for nearly 20 years.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
A kitschy casual bar called Mickey Limbo's has officially soft-opened on Ossington Avenue, replacing the Dakota Tavern — a neighbourhood stalwart that closed its doors last year after nearly two decades in business.
The Dakota, long a pillar of the Ossington music and nightlife scene, faced turbulent final years. Insurance troubles nearly forced it to shut in 2020. A legal battle with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario followed in 2021. After being handed over to new ownership in 2024, the bar closed — supposedly temporarily. As months passed, it became clear an encore wasn't happening.
Mickey Limbo's brings new energy to the corner. The project has backing from Kit Birchard, who owns Apt. 200 (and previously The Contender), and Lucas Richarz, a former chef at Bar Isabel and Souvla. The combination of hospitality pedigree and food experience suggests Limbo's is betting on trend-conscious appeal.
The Dakota's devoted late-night crowd was unfiltered and earnestly passionate — the kind of bar-goers who valued ramshackle authenticity over polish. Whether Limbo's can tap into that same energy while offering something fresh remains to be seen. The bar occupies a coveted corner in a neighbourhood where new venues are always competing for attention.
Mickey Limbo's is located at 249 Ossington Ave.