Big Trouble

Big Trouble Bar is Toronto's hidden gem that perfectly blends Asian-inspired cuisine, killer cocktails, and an electrifying atmosphere. A must-visit for anyone seeking a vibrant night out. Happy Hour from 5:30-7:30 PM is an absolute game-changer, offering incredible deals that'll make your wallet and taste buds happy. Must-try are the Bang Bang Shrimp, crispy and delicious and the Spicy Ginger Squash Dumplings, silky smooth with a nice kick. Cocktail Highlights were the Mango Yuzu and the Tequila Moon both fabulous! Service was friendly and the staff really were attentive. This spot has a really cool vibe that's perfect for unwinding after work. Highly recommend!

I’ve been to Big Trouble a few times now for different events. Visited on a Sunday night for some snacks. The space is fairly intimate - mostly have the bar and DJ area at the back with the kitchen beside the bar. There are booths on either side of the main room and some tables with chairs in the centre. I do like the decor and vibe of the space, and I find that they seem to keep the place clean and take care of things well considering how long this place has been around and that it does function like a club too. The food was decent, and I can see how they’d be nice to snack on with drinks mostly. I wouldn’t say that the food is the highlight. I found the dumplings a bit tough. The kimchi brussel sprouts were okay but found them to be a bit too salty. I liked the flaky texture of the pastry for the curry beef pocket, but found it to be a bit greasy. The spicy glass noodles were okay. Spice level varies so much depending on which restaurant is making it or which cuisine you’re having, and I found this to be too spicy for me to enjoy. The lychee mojito was okay, but too sweet for my taste.

Wow this place really is like being transported to somewhere in Asia. The decorum is hip the guy is really gracious and the food has a taste that honours the origin. Great for late night open till 2am small plates no too pricey dishes include bang bang rolls ginger butternut squash dumplings and cauliflower bites 🥟🇨🇳🏮👍 🥢

Love their vibes and music. I had such a great time here with my besties. Strongly recommended for group party or night outs in downtown Toronto

Dinner, drinks, dancing - Big Troubles got you covered and honestly, the food should not be slept on! Asian inspired small plates, reasonably priced, and delicious! We literally enjoyed everything we ordered with the standouts being the bang bang shrimp spring rolls and the popcorn chicken. They have a relatively large menu with many unique dishes and you can bet I'll definitely be back to try some more! Cocktail selection is also not lacking and drinks are made well for the price. Service was a little spotty but super nice and accommodating. The evening dancing crowd starts to pick up relatively quickly after 8/9 so come earlier if you're looking for a more intimate meal in a funky, eclectic setting.

Cover was only $10 and coat check $3, cash, which is reasonable. We arrived around 11:30 and there was no line, the bouncers were very nice too. We came here on a Friday night just to dance, the music was ok (mostly pop) but not the best to dance to. The crowd seemed to be having a good time though. I liked the vibes, dimly lit with lanterns on the ceiling. Would give this bar another go and try their food next time.

Randomly found out this hidden bar in China town on a Wednesday date night and had a mixed experience. The highlight of my visit was definitely the delicious tapas they offer. The food was not only good but also reasonably priced, making it a great value for the quality. The bar had a nice, inviting vibe, and the playlist added to the overall ambiance. However, I must admit that the service left something to be desired. It could have been more attentive and prompt. If I were to return to Big Trouble Bar, it would likely be mainly for the fantastic food.

It's a fun bar with great music. With a whimsical asian decor and vibe. Great for groups.

Big Trouble Bar is Toronto's hidden gem that perfectly blends Asian-inspired cuisine, killer cocktails, and an electrifying atmosphere. A must-visit for anyone seeking a vibrant night out. Happy Hour from 5:30-7:30 PM is an absolute game-changer, offering incredible deals that'll make your wallet and taste buds happy. Must-try are the Bang Bang Shrimp, crispy and delicious and the Spicy Ginger Squash Dumplings, silky smooth with a nice kick. Cocktail Highlights were the Mango Yuzu and the Tequila Moon both fabulous! Service was friendly and the staff really were attentive. This spot has a really cool vibe that's perfect for unwinding after work. Highly recommend!

I’ve been to Big Trouble a few times now for different events. Visited on a Sunday night for some snacks. The space is fairly intimate - mostly have the bar and DJ area at the back with the kitchen beside the bar. There are booths on either side of the main room and some tables with chairs in the centre. I do like the decor and vibe of the space, and I find that they seem to keep the place clean and take care of things well considering how long this place has been around and that it does function like a club too. The food was decent, and I can see how they’d be nice to snack on with drinks mostly. I wouldn’t say that the food is the highlight. I found the dumplings a bit tough. The kimchi brussel sprouts were okay but found them to be a bit too salty. I liked the flaky texture of the pastry for the curry beef pocket, but found it to be a bit greasy. The spicy glass noodles were okay. Spice level varies so much depending on which restaurant is making it or which cuisine you’re having, and I found this to be too spicy for me to enjoy. The lychee mojito was okay, but too sweet for my taste.

Wow this place really is like being transported to somewhere in Asia. The decorum is hip the guy is really gracious and the food has a taste that honours the origin. Great for late night open till 2am small plates no too pricey dishes include bang bang rolls ginger butternut squash dumplings and cauliflower bites 🥟🇨🇳🏮👍 🥢

Love their vibes and music. I had such a great time here with my besties. Strongly recommended for group party or night outs in downtown Toronto

Dinner, drinks, dancing - Big Troubles got you covered and honestly, the food should not be slept on! Asian inspired small plates, reasonably priced, and delicious! We literally enjoyed everything we ordered with the standouts being the bang bang shrimp spring rolls and the popcorn chicken. They have a relatively large menu with many unique dishes and you can bet I'll definitely be back to try some more! Cocktail selection is also not lacking and drinks are made well for the price. Service was a little spotty but super nice and accommodating. The evening dancing crowd starts to pick up relatively quickly after 8/9 so come earlier if you're looking for a more intimate meal in a funky, eclectic setting.

Cover was only $10 and coat check $3, cash, which is reasonable. We arrived around 11:30 and there was no line, the bouncers were very nice too. We came here on a Friday night just to dance, the music was ok (mostly pop) but not the best to dance to. The crowd seemed to be having a good time though. I liked the vibes, dimly lit with lanterns on the ceiling. Would give this bar another go and try their food next time.

Randomly found out this hidden bar in China town on a Wednesday date night and had a mixed experience. The highlight of my visit was definitely the delicious tapas they offer. The food was not only good but also reasonably priced, making it a great value for the quality. The bar had a nice, inviting vibe, and the playlist added to the overall ambiance. However, I must admit that the service left something to be desired. It could have been more attentive and prompt. If I were to return to Big Trouble Bar, it would likely be mainly for the fantastic food.

It's a fun bar with great music. With a whimsical asian decor and vibe. Great for groups.

I'm going to be very honest with y'all okay? Was initially hesitant to check out Big Trouble. Don't get me wrong, I've dined at a majority of the establishments in Chinatown and I go to Dundas & Spadina for Asian food, not drinks at a bar. Was feeling extra skeptical when trekking up the stairs but there was no turning back. Besides, Yelp said BT is poppin'. Haha! You know what this place feels like? The interior of a Chinese palace in the dark. The lanterns give off a very homey vibe. Also really liked the murals and seating arrangements. The bar also looked pretty stacked. It was 7PM and the place was not too busy. There was a good mix of people of all ages and ethnicities. You're probably wondering if the food is any good. It is. I've had a little bit of everything. Supreme fries, chicken wings, popcorn chicken, mango salad and dumplings. The drinks are also bomb. My go-to cocktails are lychee mojito and yuzu smash. Oh yeah, the baijiu pineapple is some strong stuff. =) I believe it turns into a club at 9PM-ish. The clientele is early to mid-20s. Music is fire but it's tough to have a convo when the DJ is spinning in the booth. All in all, an excellent place to grab a couple of drinks and some small bites. I've been back 4 times and continue to bring friends who have never heard of Big Trouble. You won't be disappointed!

Cover was only $10 and coat check $3, cash, which is reasonable. We arrived around 11:30 and there was no line, the bouncers were very nice too. We came here on a Friday night just to dance, the music was ok (mostly pop) but not the best to dance to. The crowd seemed to be having a good time though. I liked the vibes, dimly lit with lanterns on the ceiling. Would give this bar another go and try their food next time.

The ambiance and food wasn't bad, but the service SUCKED A$$. I usually support small businesses, especially restaurants as I know how hard it is to run during a bad economy but I really felt like I had to say something. The staff here expressed absolutely ZERO interest in serving us and in fact at times looked annoyed... definitely giving ZERO F's and total screw face vibes...I rarely if at all give bad reviews, but I hope they take this as constructive criticism and clean up their act.

Nice place and decent food and drink but felt like we were bothering the servers by ordering. Disappointing service makes this place a no for me.

Located in Chinatown/Spadina, you might miss the entrance to Big Trouble, but the door is right below the yellow sign (or locate the long line on a Fri/Sat night) Anything after 9pm will be a cover of $10.00 regardless of gender, and another 3.00 if you wanted coat check. You will recognize this tiny and narrow bar/cub by the dark ambience, signature red Chinese lanterns, and their baijou/soju mixes. There mixed drinks used to hit hard, but its the last time I went, it was VERY watered down, so ensure you pre-game hard! Nice music - its a mix of R&b, hip hop and top 40s. TLDR: its a fun time

I got to visit this place a few times before COVID-19 struck. I have only visited Big Trouble for their nightlife. This place got good vibes, good music, and good food and drinks! - Lines will be long and might not even move... so I would suggest arriving early (before 9PM) or don't even bother lining up. - Music is a mix of RnB, Hip Hop, rap from the 90s to the present (my type of mix)! - Space is small, it will get very crammed throughout the night. - Drinks are cheaper than any club you'd go to and the asian fusion cocktails are pretty potent - food is worth ordering when you're drinking This place is great to try out if you're getting tired of Social Fifth/Easy.

Love the vibes here! Very chill Late 20s-early 30s crowd. The drinks are delicious. I always get the lychee mojitos and baijiu. Be careful of the baijiu super delicious and fruity you'll be drunk before you know it. The music is always amazing. Great place to hang out and grab some bar food too.

Very very fun Night for me, my Bf and bestfriend very Recommended, good bar service and good music

I've been to Big Trouble quite a few times for its nightclub after 10pm. So, it was a nice change to visit Big Trouble for its food and cocktails since COVID-19 has halted their club activities for the time being. Big Trouble has made its presence for its retro Chinese ambiance in its decor and warm environment. They have a condensed selection of drinks and snacks to enjoy with your friends to catch up after a long week of work or to celebrate a big occasion. I do enjoy the unique selection of Asian-inspired cocktails like their Mango Yakult Soju and Baijiu Pineapple. The food is a standard bar menu with East Asian influences like their Beer Tiger Popcorn Chicken, Cheeseburger Dumplings, Kimchi Brussel Sprouts and Popcorn Chicken Fries Supreme. The popcorn chicken has a nice crisp, however I feel they could have added a touch more seasoning that you would expect in Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken. Overall, Big Trouble is a fun bar to visit that is accessible by subway and their drinks are reasonably priced if you're looking to change up your routine from the typical pint of beer or glass of wine.

OOoooOoooHhHhHhh SOOOOO funnnnnn!!! Service is the best here honestly. They're all super nice and quick with the food and drinks. Never had any issues at the bar. We came here for a friend's birthday once and they even hooked her up with a shot - heck yeah. End of the week, the crowd seems to be 20-30 year olds-ish (IDK ok also asian don't raisin so i'm not good at telling ages). Music here is hiphop and R&B... and i'm all for it haha. Food is just okay - but it's nice to have a place that offers food while getting your drank on. Love the vibes here - it's chill, no pressure to dress up or down, music is honestly 11/10, crowd is lit and not weird/creepy. Totes recommend coming here during the end of the week!!!

Big Trouble is fun and hip! Love all the funky decor! A cross between retro Chinese and modern North American context. Coming here on an earlier Saturday evening was a good call as the place is half full and we can really enjoyed the ambience. We ordered a few items to share. I think most of the food was a miss or so so. Honestly, Big Trouble here is more like a watering hole and one should not have high expectation of food. Beers was good: Big Trouble Ale and Hitachino IPA. Lychee Mojito was simple but good foo foo drinks. Big Trouble is kind of fun if you want to just hang out with friends and for a quick drink. On weekends after 9 pm, it turns into a dance club.

We just went for drinks but we loved it. I need to come back and try to food. I hear it's decent. The cocktails are really fun with ingredients that I don't see very often. Things like mangosteen and passion fruit. They also have these bottles you can get that are like their version of a punch bowl. Our server was really nice and funny. Also told us about a Halloween party they are having. I'll be back for sure. The decor was really fun too and the drinks came in tea Went in another time for food. It yummy and the price point is great but it's not something I'm going to crave or fantasize about. So good for the price though and again, great atmosphere!

I was first reluctant to enter the restaurants with the big red lanterns; however , the food with exceptional delicious . Roasted Brussel-Sprouts with KimChi with a Sapporo , cold the way I like it. Employees are friendly and fast , the place is very clean and I would love to come again .

Great little hipster place in the middle of Chinatown. I was there for the opening and it really blew up! Let's hope the social distancing is over soon and the party continues. So early or else you are not getting in. Really cool team and owner.

Giving 3 stars because the bartender tipped herself an extra 15%. Other than that, this place is good vibes and a good time. The crowd is mostly young asian in their 20s to 30s and the space becomes a club at night.

(Visited in 2020 before the pandemic) Super cool restaurant! We only got the Kimchi Brussel Sprouts to share as we had already had dinner and just wanted some drinks but I will 100% be back with an empty stomach to try out their other dishes. If I were to describe this place in one word it would be: reallycool-asian-fusion-to-the-max (emphasis on the really cool). I absolutely loved the decor of the space--this is one of those places where you momentarily forget where you are as it feels as if you were in another city/world for the past hour. Apparently on the weekends, this space transforms into a poppin bar with a dance floor! My friend told me that it's so popular that sometimes, you can't even make it in! We came on a Tuesday night so we had no Trouble (haha get it?...) but i would definitely love to stop by on a weekend night out!

Love the eclectic and oriental inspired vibes ! Located in the heart of Chinatown, this is an awesome gem of a place to grab some unique drinks and Asian bar food. 5/5 atmosphere 4/5 drinks 2.5/5 food 1/5 service I ordered the Roasted Kimchi Brussel sprouts, normally I'm a fan of these dishes separately so I was super interested to try Big Trouble's fusion of these flavours...BUT it WAYY too gingery & ridiculously spicy. I quite like the cocktails they have though! They come in really cute oriental mugs. I'm really intrigued by the 53% alcohol Baiju bottles, especially the mangosteen flavour. All in all, I would come back to Big Trouble for the drinks and cool atmosphere. Otherwise, I was disappointed by the food and service.

Amazing cocktails and fries. DJ that night was amazing too! Definitely coming back to try the food.

This review is strictly for the nightlife portion of Big Trouble. Big Trouble is an Asian themed bar/lounge located in Toronto's downtown Chinatown located on Dundas St W. It's situated right above the restaurant Sichuan Ren Hotpot. It turns into a club after 10 pm and cover charge is $10 with a live dj spinning. Got there around 9:45 pm on a Friday night and there was already a long lineup formed. It took no joke probably close to 1 hour and 20 minutes to get in. So we got in just past 11 pm. It's not that they are holding the line, the place just isn't that big and it's one of the current hot spots in the city. I think the capacity is probably around 200 people. The dj was spinning strictly hip hop and r&b all night long and the music was banging and on point. The crowd was predominantly Asian, probably 65% with the rest being a mixture of white, black and Indian. The average age of the crowd was probably mid twenties with a range of early twenties to late twenties/early thirties. Drinks were reasonably priced, standard club prices. Drinking Hitachino pale ale which is a Japanese beer ($8 tax included) and a mixed house drink of tequila and passionfruit juice ($7 tax included). Big Trouble is a pretty cool place with a good, casual chill vibe to dance to good hip hop and r&b music. I would have gave the place a 4 star rating but waiting 1 hour and 20 minutes is crazy but the place isn't that big and it's currently one of Toronto's hot spots. Tip: If you are looking to get in and to avoid the crazy lineup. Get there around 8 pm, grab a bite to eat, chill and relax until they change it into a club at 10 pm. The place is rammed both Friday and Saturday nights.

This is a review of their nightlife. Big Trouble is relatively new and is an exciting lively place for someone who likes to enjoy the Toronto nightlife. Big Trouble has a dominantly Asian crowd in their 20s. Drinks are delicious, music is loud and pumping, and the people are super friendly. I always have a fun time when I'm there. I believe their usually is a line to get in after 9 pm, but it's super worth it!

After hearing so much hype about this place, we decided to try it. Our first attempt was on a Friday night and we got there at 10:30. The line did not budge at all for 30 mins so we decided to leave after hearing from other ppl that it would be more than an hour wait. Came here again on a Saturday night around 830 to have dinner. Even though it was so early, most of the tables were already reserved for 9:30 and the waiter did not let us sit at those tables and waitlisted us instead. Luckily, we only had to wait 15 mins for a table to free up. If you're getting snacks, the cheeseburger dumplings are bomb. The DJ came around 10pm and started off with some good music. Then it turned mostly into hip hop that we did not know. Occasionally, he would spin some dancehall, which is a plus for me but it would turn back to hip hop/rap and drag on and bored us zzzzz.... So, unfortunately, this is not the new Easy substitute for 25+ y/o asians. Not everyone is dancing since it's more of a casual vibe and a little too bright compared to clubbing. There seemed to be alot of big groups of bros and they were a little rowdy. Also, there is definitely not enough room for 250 -300 ppl like someone mentioned below. More like 100 which is why there is always a line outside cause they can't fit that many people. Not to mention the washrooms are GROSS as the night goes on but I guess that's normal for bars ugh

WE LOVE THIS PLACE SO MUCH!!!! Vibe is very chill. Decoration is very Asian, not just Chinese. Kinda unexpected to find such a chill place in Chinatown. It is like a lounge during weekdays but turned into a club in weekend night with live DJ. Drink is very Asian fusion! Love it! You can try a lot of Asian liquor based cocktail which is very unique! And it is CHEAP! $7 for a cocktail?! Seriously?! We didn't get to try too much food because we came here after dinner. But the menu looks very interesting!!! I would definitely come back!

CHEAP, ASIAN, DRINKS. All three of my favourite things and Big Trouble HAS IT ALL. My friends and I decided to stop here for a few cocktail drinks on a Friday night. Yeah, those cocktail drinks? Turned into tequila shots. We came here at 8:00 and it was already pretty popping. You don't have to pay cover (which is $10 after 10pm) if you come earlier. There is coat check, which is also $2; but very very reasonable. Inside, this place is honestly cozy; it's small but it just makes it that much more exclusive imo. There are tables as well but good luck to you if you can find a seat. Drinks? CHEAP. Well, more like reasonable. For example there's this nasty af bottle you can buy for $25; it has 53% mixed in it. My friends downed this bottle as if we didn't have livers. The people? Everyone is so incredibly nice. Not pushy or creepy at all here. Honestly met some really cool people. The bartenders? SO DOUBLY NICE! Man the staff here are incredible and I have never felt like I wanted to tip a man 100% like I wanted to when I came. All in all, really amazing atmosphere. Just two tips: don't lose your credit card like I did because someone did indeed use it, and come here before 10:00 to get in for free cover.

We came back on a Wednesday night for dinner and ordered a few items. We had fries, popcorn chicken, fresh roll, kimchi brussels sprouts, and pidan tofu. You can't go wrong with fries or popcorn chicken, they tasted pretty average. Unfortunately, the kimchi brussels sprouts were quite bitter and the tofu dish was just plain strange. The tofu dish came with wonton chips; you're supposed to spread the tofu on the chips, it was quite messy to eat. The tofu had a few toppings like green onions, century egg, and a mysterious grey liquid. Honestly, it looked a little frightening and it didn't taste any better. On the bright side the service was good and I would still come back for drinks. I suppose this place wasn't meant to be a dinner spot!

very poor lighting. they give you 1 menu for a group of 15. one. also, they gave a table that would fit 10 ppl max, when we booked for 16-20........ the decores are so oddly done...its like they really wanted to make the place "authentically chinese"...... i cant help but feel slightly offended. its an "asian fusion tapas bar" but like 'pink's cafe', poorly executed & completely butchers the asian culture & flavours. slight identity crisis w.the menu, seeing how the place was decorated w.all things china.. service was ok, they were quite busy (filled with millenial hipsters). staff was very friendly and accommodating though. overall food 2/5. some dishes were mediocre but some were quite nice. dumplings 4/5 (we got the traditional pork/leek) was the groups favourite. flavorful, juicy, and nicely seasoned. id come back to try their other options (there's a cheese burger style, thatll be quite interesting imo). brussel sprouts w.kimchi & ginger 1/5 not seasoned. over fried & had the burnt taste throughout. and literally just had chopped kimchi and pickled ginger thrown on top. not reccomended at all. popcorn chicken 1/5 tiger beer battered & fried, topped w.some crispy basil leaf. very cool concept but poorly done. chkn not seasoned at all. batter had no flavour. literally, bland friend chkn pcs. however, this dish (their take on the taiwanese style popcorn chkn) can easily be fixed. a pinch of salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder & 5 spice will do the trick. popcorn chkn fries supreme 2/5 very good for sharing and munching on, but also very heavy. fries undercooked & soggy, but topped w.salsa, green onions, hot sauce & melted muenster cheese!! next time we gotta ask for it well done! bang bang shrimp 2/5 meh. not bad, but also nothing stood out. your typical thai chili sauce mixed w.mayo and deep fried shrimp tossed up in it. maybe sprinkle on some fried shallots to give it a nice flavour boost or add a bit of sesame oil to the chili mayo. fried shrimp wontons 1/5 over cooked and under seasoned. the dipping sauce was literally mayo w.a squirt of sriracha. why couldnt they just mix the spicy mayo... chkn wings 5/5 we got both flavours (vietnamese style fish sauce & korean gochujang) i liked that the fish sauce wasnt so potent and salty! the batter was light & crispy. chkn was a little dry due to over cooking, but all the flavors there! highly recommended & good for sharing!

Been back here a few times and this place is poppin these days. I came when it had just opened and was relatively unknown and found it as a cool spot. I didn't expect the place to turn out as it is - being THE 'Thirsty Thursday' drinks spot for the Chinese community (I keep comparing it to Rosewater a few years ago) and a club on Fri/Sat. Crowds are pretty young (Similar crowd to Easy). If you're looking for a bar, avoid the weekend nights. It's basically a club with long lines but a great spot for a good time. The food selection is quite good as bar food (fried eats, great for sharing). There are also a number of house cocktails which are great to try - but I'd only order them if I'm sitting in and would probably avoid them on the club nights as they are pricier and worth if you to sit down and enjoy.

Big Trouble has the feel of a Chinese speakeasy - the bar itself is situated on the second level of the many Chinese restaurants and shops on Dundas. There is a booth where they take your coats (available later on in the evening). The hallway outside of the restaurant has graffiti all over it - ideal for photos. The bar is a wide space decorated with beautiful Chinese lanterns. There are two private booths that are ornately decorated with traditional wallpaper and Chinese wooden tables. There are hooks everywhere to hang up your coats. Bathroom area has a skeleton wearing a bamboo hat at the end of the hallway, as well as posters depicting a Chinese deity in an Uncle Sam-like manner (forgot who the deity is). I was a bit confused at first when I walked in - there was no hostess and everyone was just crowding around the bar. It became clear that you need to get up to the bar and order first, and expect food to arrive at your table later on. Despite the lack of staff and the confused nature of the bar, I really appreciate how friendly the staff were. They even offered us dumplings on the house after they messed up our order (we ordered the pork and leek dumplings but they gave us the butternut squash dumplings). Food and drinks were very good. I especially enjoyed the popcorn chicken and fries (highly recommend getting!), as well as the dumplings (both the butternut squash ones and the pork and leek dumplings). Beef pockets were also very good. I had the lychee mojito and it washed everything down quite nicely. Bathrooms are an IG opp for sure (owners certainly knew what they were doing) - traditional wallpaper and dark wood mirrors definitely make for pretty IG-worthy photos! Big Trouble is a great place to come by after work or to hang out at with a group on a weekend. It has a feel of a private club and is a great place to come by with a small group to enjoy some delicious Chinese fusion drinks and food.

Decent food, good drinks and a great vibe! Right on Dundas so super accessible by streetcar from the subway line. Came by on a Thursday night, around 6:30 pm and was able to grab a booth for 4 of us. Ordered the following: - Bang bang shrimp - Cheeseburger dumplings (16) - Popcorn chicken fries supreme Food was alright, but mainly just to have a small snack for the main highlights. The fries supreme had a nice spicy kick to it, and the dumplings had a good amount of filling. Thought the shrimps were a bit on the small side. (favourite drinks listed first per type): - Mixed house drinks (Baijiu pineapple, tequila passionfruit, spiced rum oolong tea, gin mangosteen and umeshu) - House made baijiu bottles (passionfruit & oolong, mangosteen & lemon juice) - whiskey sour - cocktails (gin lemonade, smoky melon tea, lychee mojito, ginseng manhattan) Would skip the mixed house drinks and go for the cocktails & house made bottles. Heard a lot of good things about the lychee mojito but thought the lemonade and melon tea and some more unique flavours that were also light. As for the vibe, as the night gets later it turns more from a bar into a club as the lights get dimmer and music starts blaring louder. We stayed during this transition so it was cool to sit down, chat, grab a few drinks then enjoy the livelier atmosphere. Recommend going for weeknights as they have happy hour specials with their drinks (on the menu and the bar). Service was attentive and let us stay for quite a bit (last call for table service was around 10:30). The drink prices are quite reasonable and I appreciate the various flavour combinations with the mixed drinks.

Came for Thursday night and it was really fun! The decor is great, you almost feel like you're in the movie Big Trouble ;). Crowd is young, predominately Asian, relaxed atmosphere with people just having fun. Music was great! Mostly rap and hip hop, not today's hits you hear at every other club. Drinks are unique, affordable, and really tasty!! Had an amazing time!l

Thirsty Thursdays are awesome here with half priced drinks. Us asians love a good deal. I'd like to make this a longer review but I don't remember a lot from when I do come here. Service is good, people that come here are friendly. I can see from my photo album the day after that I clearly had a good time. The white male bartender is so nice. I mean he has nice abs =]

Pretty eclectic orient decor all around; some good bar scene going on. Especially took an interest in their unique lanterns like everyone else. However, we found our booth seat by the window especially cold; was generally cold at the restaurant since it was -21°C outside. Now would not be a good time to lower the thermostat. While I enjoyed my time with friends there, I must say that the staff were overwhelming. So what does that mean? Well, we felt bombarded by the different servers coming around every 10 minutes asking if we're ok for drinks and food. Truth be told, it was very annoying to advise "I'll be ordering the Gin Lemonade in 5 mins since my friend was nearby," to each of the 3 staff on their rotation. Trust me, you will know whether I am "ok," or not when I signal for you. So for the most part I was not "ok," because you keep interrupting my conversations even after I've ordered alcohol and food. Chill the f out! Food was good and by order of tastiness: 1. Bang Bang Shrimp $7 - Originally asked for the Spicy Coconut Firecracker shrimps, but I suppose the server took down the order wrong. Still, this was pretty delicious; fried crunchy on the outside while the shrimp were al dente on the inside. Highly recommend this. 2. Fries Fries $5 - I enjoyed these too. They were freshly fried and thick. Makes very good shareable dish 3. Pidan Tofu $9 - Quite a unique dish. It was cold tofu in a "thousand-year egg" which is a preserved duck egg served with pork floss & green onion on top. While I don't eat pork, I really enjoyed the tofu together with the fried wanton chip as a dip. 4. Guacamole $7 - Pretty good! They give you fried wanton wrappers instead of the traditional nacho chips 5. Popcorn Chicken Fries Supreme $14 - Most underwhelming dish to order. My buddy was especially sad all the cheese cooled and clung onto the fries instead of it being on the chicken. It was ok. 6. Curry Beef Pocket $7 - Very mediocre. Buddy described it as ones you can get at regular chinese bakeries 咖喱角 for $2. 7. Kimchi Brussel sprouts $7 - The worst thing to order. The sprouts were all mushy in texture mingled with sour and super spicy kimchi. Not good at all 8. Gin Lemonade $12 - A small cup but it was nice and fruity with substantial amount of gin. 9. Gin Mangosteen $6.19 - Just sweet; can't taste any mangosteen Not sure how they calculated for the happy hour $5 for rail vodka and canned drinks but receipt says more then $5 plus $0.88 for cranberries. Also, not sure what those fees were but we paid it anyway since it seemed silly to inquire about such a small amount. As soon as you tell them I don't need anything else, they quickly say "You want the bill?" Basically kicking you out. What are we suppose to say to that when they so desperately want to whisk you out? By that point we were so turned off, leaving seemed like a good idea. All that to say, I liked some aspects of this place, I do not see a repeat visit in the future.

Lively place, nice low light ambience.

Friday night @bigtroublebar Great ambience, a bit on the pricey side. I love the ambience and fusion of the bar food. Check them out if your in China Town. I had the big trouble dumpling tower (potstickers, Muenster, salsa, arugula, house gochujang spicy sauce) $$

Very underwhelming. The place was pretty dead on a Wednesday night - maybe I chose the wrong day! The crispy shrimp was alright, better than the popcorn chicken. The drinks were nothing special either.

The entrance is hidden in plain sight and I missed it...twice. Went here when it was quiet and when it was not and both were pretty good experiences. Even when it seemed like the place was short-staffed, the food and drink came out reasonably quickly and service was great. Everyone was considerate and polite. The food was interesting. Their cheeseburger dumplings tasted like...dumplings with an especially large meatball in it. Pork and Leek dumpligs were the best. My friends disliked the ginger and squash dumplings because of their unique flavour, but personally, I didn't mind too much. The Bang Bang Shrimp was just fried shrimp, fried chicken was tender enough, and the brussel sprout & kimchi dish was okay, except some of the sprouts were burnt black. The drinks, though, were great. My friends and I loved the draft beer, and the lychee mojito cocktail was tasty. I'd come back just for that cocktail. It gets loud on Friday and weekend evenings as it turns into a nightclub with a DJ and everything, and the ambience for that was perfect. Overall, a great experience and I would be coming back soon.

Love love love this place! They play the best music after hours and the vibes are so positive. Drinks are interesting and fun to try - I tried the lychee mojito and it was alright, for the price. Cheeseburger dumplings were a delightful twist! The place is decorated so fun with lanterns in the ceiling, several booths around, and tables with candles for standing around. The crowd was very pleasant - like I said good vibes all around! There was three of us and we went at around 8pm and stayed till midnight and at that time the place was getting full. It was still a fun time and we will be sure to come back! Careful with that baijiu liqueur!! We ordered two bottles (~$20 each) and got drunk real fast. It even said on the menu "strong and dangerous" so be warned!

Big Trouble is a new addition to Chinatown which lacks fun, reasonably-priced bars (if you don't count Kensington Market). Having recently opened, we dropped by on Thursday for their happy hour (5:30-8:00pm) where all beer and mixed drinks are $5. Stepping inside, we were welcomed by Chinese lanterns, cool murals on the wall and red drapes across the window. The theme is very cool and fits in with the neighbourhood, while still being fun and informal. There is a full bar with the usual spirits and mixers, and an extensive beer menu of mostly imports - Tsingtao, Singha and Tiger are my favourites. They also serve Sake and Soju, all at reasonable prices. Cocktails are $10-12 which isn't bad but I tend to keep it simple. In terms of food, we've only tried the popcorn chicken which was hot and tasty, with a side of chipotle aioli which has a nice kick to it. I've seen people order the dumplings and they look delicious too! Overall, a wonderful addition to the area and one that's clearly doing well already, since it's been packed every time we've visited.

Here my list of what makes a great place. Decor Ambiance Serves cold beer A great Manhattan Delicious aperizers Value priced. Amazing service Big Trouble gets 5 stars in ALL categories! I'm a regular now and look forward to bringing my guests here.

Tucked away upstairs above the streets of Chinatown, Big Trouble offers creative and fusion drinks, bar foods and shareables, set against a moody yet charming space with Chinese inspired decor and string of colourful paper lanterns.They're only open in the evenings (after 5:30pm, until late). I had the guacamole with deep fried wonton chips, spicy coconut firecracker shrimp, their BT dumpling tower (I has spicy ginger and butternut squash dumplings, and it's topped with cheese, arugula, a and spicy gochujang sauce), and fish sauce chicken wings. Their approach to east-meets-west dishes was really unique, and everything was flavourful and deep fried to crispy perfection. I found it to be a little pricey given the small portion sizes, but I feel like the location and ambience make up for it. Next time I'm heading to the AGO I hope to return to Big Trouble to try their drinks, particularly their lychee mojito which sounds delicious.

Big Trouble is a bar tucked away above Sichuan on Spadina. It pays homage to its neighborhood and the heritage of its owners with a creative menu. It is named after a movie in Little China. The environment does not shy away from the Chinese element with a modern North American twist. Happy hours are on Thursday from 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM and food served until midnight weekdays and one on weekends. There is a cover starting at 10:00 PM for $5 entrance. The line starts to build up around 9:30 PM so make sure you get there early to get in! Coat check is $2. Don't come here for a full meal since the menu is catered to more bar style and small bites. The service is not top end service but it's fine. You don't come here for the food. You come here for the vibe and enjoy company with friends. It is the current hot spot.

This place is great! We came here for drinks one night while walking in Chinatown and we came back the night after for some tapas. We ordered the bang bang shrimp, roasted kimchi brussel sprouts, and the pork and leak dumplings. The bang bang shrimp is super crunchy with a delicious sauce, brussel sprouts are stir fried with kimchi and are super addicting and the dumplings were perfectly pan fried and savoury. We also tried some cocktails; I thought the lychee mojito was too sweet, the gin lemonade was light and refreshing, and the melon mist was a surprise (initially it has a chocolatey taste then ends with melon flavour - really good). Definitely recommend this place!

Big Trouble is one of those places you visit because of the photos you see online but then you end up being delighted by the food and cocktails. We got here right when the opened on a cold Saturday evening. We were the only ones in the place for most of our meal, which made the experience even better. Bright lights, cozy booths, perfect people-watching from the large windows facing the street below. Service is great and explained the menu to us. This is more of a small plates type of place. We decided to split the dumpling tower since 16 would give us the opportunity to try both the cheeseburger and pork flavors. While the burger flavor was good, the pork flavor knocked it out of the park. This dish was incredibly filling - I'm still unsure how we managed to finish all of it. For drinks I had the lychee mojito and my boyfriend had the melon cocktail. Both were STRONG but also super tasty. Definitely a dangerous combination. Prices are fair for what you get, which is also a pleasant surprise. Restrooms are clean and spacious. If you have trouble finding it on the street, just look up!

Only waited 1 hour and 30 min in line to only see 7 groups of people get ahead of us because they "knew someone" at the table inside. I guess if you have someone in there hours ahead, you can just add whoever you know to the table. If you're ever waiting in line past 8 pm just forget about it

Will definitely be back! What a good find. Hidden on the second floor, with brilliant decor that makes you feel like you're on a movie set. Great menu with lots of variety! Recommended for dates and groups, too. Tip: Keep an eye out for the server who definitely gives off Richard Ayoade vibes. Seriously!

I loved the lanterns. The atmosphere and décor will not disappoint for a night out in Chinatown. We were there on Saturday evening, mostly looking for food. We tried the popcorn chicken fries supreme (read: popcorn chicken, fries supreme), guacamole, and bang bang shrimp. The servers were nice but the kitchen was slow to start, plus they got our order wrong the first time. One of the servers offered to take our drinks off the bill and encouraged us to order more drinks, but when the bill came from another server, the drinks were there, so luckily we didn't order another round. Food: *Popcorn chicken fries supreme - bang for buck and great for soaking up alcohol. *Guacamole - ma ma day (so-so), it was a very dry guacamole and not very fresh looking, could've used more avocado, plus the wonton chips were very thin so it was difficult to scoop up the guacamole and you had to use the provided spoon. *Bang bang shrimp - flavours were nice but the batter was not crispy enough and it left a weird sticky soggy residue in my mouth. Felt like this dish was rushed in the kitchen. Drinks: *Jameson & JDB Herbal Tea - Loved that they used JBD herbal tea for a cocktail. *Gin, Mangosteen & Umeshu - This was a nice drink, loved the fruitiness of the mangosteen. Did I mention that I loved the lanterns?

As a 50 year old woman I don't get out much but the ladies needed a night out and it will be one to remember but be careful you'll be wasted before you know it its filled with people mostly ranging from 20s to 30s but those young men were flirting with me all darn night, I even had one come home with me would love to go again and get my freak on with the amazing drinks and good they have

Came here on a Saturday night and nabbed a table before it got busy. It is quite hidden amongst the Chinese restaurants in Chinatown. Definitely did not expect a place like this to be here. The place turned busy around 11 or so and the atmosphere was super lively. We got a bunch of drinks for $7 which was a pretty good deal. The food is typical bar food. The bang bang shrimp and the tiger beer popcorn chicken were the standouts while the dumplings were just for novelty and slightly overpriced. Overall a good night out with friends.

Small entrance so you might miss it. The place is upstairs (go up the stairs to the second floor). This restaurant is popular because it turns into a club after. Majority are younger asian crowd (if you got asian fever) and its the party asian type. Tables can be booked 1 week in advance and are usually for large bday party groups. There is a bar (standing only) and side bar (6 seats) for bar seating. 3 booth are for first come first serve. I would say after 8, probably wont get a booth. Place gets alot of people around 10:00. By 11:00 your are going to line up. No cover and there is coat check. Food wise, everything is not that great. Not expensive though $6 per dish. I would say the best is the popcorn chicken. The drinks are cheap specially the mix drinks (recommend the lychee one). Beers are $6-$7 as well.

I came here for happy hour one thursday, but was disheartened to find that it's been discontinued :( It's right up the (slippery) stairs in china town, and it's actually super cute and kitschy! I was super full from eating prior, so my friends just had drinks.The one we had, can't remember the name - but it was super fruity in a fun turpentiney way, which FYI is just how I like my drinks. Might come here again, but I'm trying to avoid placed that are dreadfully hipster.