Ulster Arms Tavern

The Ulster Arms Tavern, in the heart of the Little India Bazaar, is a former tavern/rooming house with 9 units that closed in February of 2013.

The tavern has a history in the neighbourhood. The original building was built in the 1880’s, with additions being built afterwards. Behind it, what is now houses was a soccer stadium, with the tavern serving as the teams clubhouse. In 1925, when an investor who bought the land inaugurated the Ulster Arms Stadium, the Red Handers Football Club would march out of the basement of their clubhouse to meet their visiting opponents on the pitch. That same year the club took home their first of three national championships.

The years that followed were more rough-and-tumble. In the late 70’s/early 80’s, it had a reputation as being a biker bar. The tavern was home to an alleged three separate homicides, including one in which the owner shot an individual at the front bar, and another where there was a murder in a parking lot fight. Many other stories of fights or shootings exist with no fatalities. There are also various reports of the location being haunted.

See below for more information regarding this location.

https://vimeo.com/80082859

https://tdotcommunity.ca/project/the-ulster-arms-as-gerrard-street-east-shifts-a-piece-from-the-rough-and-tough-era-still-stands/

https://leslievillehistory.com/2017/10/05/ulster-stadium-home-of-the-red-handers/