Reviews of Phil's Grandson's Place (Night Club)

TC K

It's a dirty basement that sells cheap booze, what more can you ask for. Wednesday is the best night because it attracts the most ratchet people.

Matthew Jackson

Dive bar of legendary standing amoungst the college crowd. Features a dance floor and club atmosphere. 5$ cover charge, cheap drinks, and nightly themes (retro, ladies night, etc)

Steve Johnson

Tonight I went to Phil’s and security was so rude , the guy outside he was yelling and saying very bad words which is unacceptable, and not polite at all and very disrespectful , I don’t know how they hire people like this who talk like gangster, will never go there any more!!!! Extremely not recommended..

Tahm IMO

Looking to get kicked out of a club for not doing anything? Head over to Phils! Cheap, watered-down drinks all night! Bar tenders who tell you to gtfo if you dont tip them! 40 year old men lurking for single co eds! gotta love phils. Will take my children here one day for sure

Zack Gray Ritchie

An establishments with a clear goal in mind; offer the lowest price for drinks in town. Of course the decor isn't the nicest around, but you definitely get a lot for your money. Bar staff is nice enough, they pay attention and remember your drink most times. This is not a bar where you can expect to get over served. I was asked to leave on my last visit to Phil's Grandson's after I had drank enough. The staff member who asked me to leave was polite enough to let me tell my girlfriend that it was time to go. He walked me out without the need to be physical. Remember, this is their place and not yours. Respect them and they have no reason not to disrespect you. Overall I had a great time and will be back.

Lucas Compton

Grungy but fun everytime.

Mr Pyro

I used to respect this place, used to. I went here for a good night. I should have set a more achievable goal. Security in this place ( professionally) is a joke. If they weren't openly glaring at you, they also like to "remind you" they are around. I have Tourette's Syndrome, this causes me to have facial ticks. Needless to say I didnt feel welcome at this place. Lastly is some of the bartenders, not all. For example, when I purchase a shot of liquor and pay with a 10 dollar bill. The rest of the cash is not tip just because you say so. When I refused the second time, I got cut off. Two drinks and I was cut off, I am disappointed. This used to be my favorite place to go.

Nick J McLeod

Crappy space but decent music. Awful staff but cheap drinks.

Hassan Malik

Trashy and dirty, but it's cheap.

Stefan Lazic

Cheap drinks, but a terrible club. Cracked floor, moss? covered ceeling. Literally Waterloo's worst club.

Rajit Venkatesh

Do not use the washrooms here unless of dire emergency. Staff is always rude, far from a posh club experience. The trashiest club in Waterloo, but a must for cheap drinks and good tunes

Megan Dobbin

Drinks are cheap that’s about the only good thing about this place!

Mike Hassab

Very cheap drinks (as cheap as 2.25$ in 2016), however, I think they water it down. A big college crowd with drunk dudes around. Music was okay though. Line was long but moved well.

Brent Cherry

EDIT (October 23, 2015): Due to my review on here, they blocked me on Twitter. Real mature and professional. Because of this, my rating went from a 2 out of 5 to a 1. Up until my latest experience last week, I would've recommended that people should AT LEAST check it out. The cheap drinks and constantly busy environment kept me coming back for the better part of 9 years. All that changed when the manager Diana not only tried to guilt me into tipping (telling me the classic "servers rely on tips" line, which at-the-time $9.55/hour is a bold-faced lie), but outright refused to serve me further. When I called her out on it, she gave me the "this is a private establishment, meaning we can serve whomever we want" crap excuse. After filing a civil and calm complaint about it, I was ejected from the premises and told not to bother coming back. In hindsight, I should've just given her a penny, had I have known I was to be treated so horribly. As far as I'm concerned, anyone that is so self-centred and greedy that they will not only expect gratuity for merely doing the job they're required to do, but bully and intimidate the very customers they serve to get it out of them, is not worth the time or money to be spent on. Not even the disgusting condition of the washrooms made my stomach turn as much as the level of despicable attitude demonstrated by the manager. If you can't respect the customer enough to allow them to make the OPTIONAL DECISION to tip, then you deserve to lose your job. Period. Furthermore, being a private establishment isn't justification or excuse to treat customers worse than crap. Any respect I once had for this establishment is now gone. Unless they change their attitude towards the customers they serve, I will never come back. And if they never do, then I hope they run themselves out of business, as the level of professionalism demonstrated by the manager is not just unacceptable, but downright sickening.

Nick Mete

One of the most disgusting spaces I've ever been into. Disgusting bathrooms, disgusting event space and most importantly, some of the most disgusting staff I have ever encountered. I was assaulted by 3 bouncers and was left with a black eye, costochondritis and a jaw disorder, all because I simply asked a question as to why a friend of mine was being told to leave the building only minutes after arriving. After I asked the question, I was also told to leave, for asking the question, and when I wouldn't let the staff members throw me out for expressing my freedom of speech they decided to use violence to get me out by kicking my legs from under me, punching me in the face and continuously kicking me in the chest while on the floor. This is the most disgusting place I've ever been and would not recommend it to absolutely anybody unless they are looking to have a terrible night. There are plenty of better venues in the Kitchener/Waterloo area that are just as cheap to drink at with better music, better crowd and staff members who do not assault their customers.

Todd Nicholson

Cheap drinks but no one Cares about customers..staff are rude

ahmet can özel

What a disappointment

Livy K

Phils is disgusting. The floor is wet and the ceiling always has random white stuff falling from it. The security is disgusting because they are rude. The place will rob you of your money. I have been warned about going to Phils and have seen many tweets and Facebook posts about it but decided to go anyways. BIG MISTAKE. Do not waste your time. Way better bars in Waterloo try Night school or Brixton those places are awesome.

Matt P

Good times

Sophie Giorno

It's a gross place. Smells like puke and your feet stick the ground but every student in Waterloo knows that this is the place for cheap drinks and the best nights. The only thing is the crowd is very young as it's obviously meant for the students at Laurier/UW/ Conestoga. I'd feel weird going back now at 30. Also, the bouncers are very fast to kick you out if they see something is off. I LOVE phils and I miss it so much.

Joel Mills

Good stuff

Planet Guy

Cheap but bad flooring, good music but not enough space to dance, cheap drinks but dirty washrooms

Nikita Larter

Paid for them to steal/lose my belongings with no explanation.

Taimor Jahn

If you havent been here you dont know

Valentin Malenkov

As dirty as I remember.

Jennifer Korecki

Kind of dirty but still a good university bar. Cheap drinks and good music.

Igea

I've never been to this place but I wanna feel this new exciting experience of being kicked out, does it cost too much for a beginner?

Brendan O'Sullivan

Bouncers are unnecessarily aggressive, and there is no system to deal with them, they don't take complaints just refer you to call the police.

William Meyer

The appearance of this place is not the best but cheap drinks and the security staff is reasonable enough

Kristin

(Translated) that one (Original) Ew

Dylan Guillemette

Don't look up. Don't look down. Don't look at the walls. Don't look at anything.

Amanda Hashimoto

Fun atmosphere and people. Very grungy dirty basement feel to it. Which makes it fun to be honest. Laid back. Two bars. Cheap drinks - juglife. Bathrooms and small and gross but I wouldnt expect more from a place like this. The entire feel is very different from most bars but worth the experence if you arnt stuck up.

Maxwell

Great food and a pleasant ambiance. Would definitely recommend for fancy dates and important anniversaries. 10/10

Nicholas Frankson

Avoid this club for it is meant low life individuals. Never have I come across such a set of self aggrandizing individuals as found in the security staff of this club. They believe in the principle of evicting partisans who have paid to enjoy an experience in this club, without providing the reasons for doing so, as well as ridiculing all those that they "feel" the need to evict without reason. After several attempts to understand why my group of friends was being asked to leave I was met with the response of "You don't belong in this conversation, walk away". If you have the cognitive ability to understand the concept of dignity and self enjoyment you will find yourself in somewhere else that does not bear the name of Phil's Grandson's. If only I could make a review with 0 stars.

Sara Mitchell

One of the worst places I have ever been, one of the bouncers tried to kick us out for telling a guy that was making us uncomfortable to leave us alone. Did not feel safe while being there.

Not Leoso

Staff are retarded. I had 2 shots with 2 Smirnoff ice , go to bathroom walk out dancing to the song and this staff member walked over to me and said you're kicked out?! Like what the heck I'm dancing to the song !!!!!! Absolutely horrible, here with my friends and this happens ... btw I'm writing this from out the club

Aaron McKinley

Honestly, it's understandable that people's experience here will be a hit or miss, but that's just the way it is at Phil's. However, there's no doubt about it that this is the best place to let loose and have a great time. Also, what other bar are you going to be able to find yourself drinks for a toonie?

Sara Seduction

Got kicked out for literally no reason other than to make room for new people. Bouncers were extremely rude. Greasy place would not recommend.

Brandon Bell

No.

Michael Toor

Phil's is an awesome place to hang with friends and experience the student nightlife in Waterloo. I've made a lot of great friends at Phil's and I've had a lot of my favourite memories take place there, too (or lack thereof).

Debayan Paul

Very different crowd. A must visit for the younger crowd

Kasondra C

I had a grown woman attempt to pull my glasses off of my face, took her high heel off and attempt to HIT me in the face with it, all because she assumed that I pulled the hat off of someone she didn't know and throw it ( I didn't) and when I brought it up with the security gaurd they told me to "go your separate ways". I would have loved to go my separate way if she left me alone!! She followed me and attempted to physically assault me multiple times and they didn't do a single thing, I was horrified. I wasn't drunk, I went to enjoy a going away party with my friend. I will probably end up going back, because after Beta closed there's not much else around here, but I am so sad and honestly angry that they just allowed that to happen. ImI wish they took physical assault and harassment more seriously....

laura pudlo

Dirty, cheap drinks. Fun but know what to expect.

Adrian Machado

(Translated) Lit af (Original) Lit af

Emily Galantai

The most hilarious this about this is that yesterday before I went to Phil's, I was looking at all the Google Reviews and thought to myself "This is so strange, I've been going to Phil's for a year, I've never experienced any rude staff or anything" And then I went last night. After having an anxiety attack in the bathroom, I went out to the bar to get some water. I was offered a drink from the bartender and I politely refused and said I was just going to stick with my water. As I'm standing there quietly, drinking my water (I'd had 2 drink of those small cups the whole night), a bouncer came up to me, grabbed my shoulder, and said "It's time for you to leave" and KICKED ME OUT OF THE CLUB FOR STANDING AND DRINKING WATER. Two of them followed me to get my coat and said "You have to call your friend from outside, you need to leave", and then kicked me out. So, please, someone explain to me, why in the hell you kick me out of a bar, without breathing a word to anyone, without irritating anyone, without doing a damn thing. Oh, although it's good to note a 40 something guy was hitting on me (a 21 year old female) and after I kindly said no thanks and left, he was talking to the same bouncer who threw me out. My experience here has been shot after one visit, among a ton of times in the past year. Avoid this bar. Seriously,

blake waters

Fun university bar. When peak hours hit it gets very crowded on the dancefloor. Bar/drink service is fast even at peak.

Squeaky Clean

Imagine you are walking into the slums of new york or into a dirty waste facility, that is what Phils is. Although I rate this 1/5, don't be fooled; it's actually -1/5. Drinks are adulterated, that's why they're so cheap. The entire place is like someone brought Jack the giant here and let him shite and puke all over the place. Staff are rude, obnoxious, racist, arrogant, discriminatory, pretentious asshats who love to bully their customers. But what customers aren't aware, is that they kick people out not because they did something wrong, it's that they hate them out of pure prejudice. I'd rather stay home and get sacked in the nuts 100 times than to go to here, but hey, some people prefer steamy piles of shites for some odd reason. Oh and see all those 5 star reviews claiming that the staff are nice? $50 bucks says that the boss bribed them to do it. TLDR, Phils is where the lowest grade of humanity exists, inside a rotten stinky facility.

Vymer Gerziznal

It's dark and loud. Apparently family members are a naming convention now.

Natalia Migdal

I wish there were negative star ratings just for Phil's. I have never been more disgusted by a staff in my LIFE. After only ten minutes time since being let in and checking my coat, I was kicked out for accidentally putting my sweater down in their staff room. As far as I know, there wasn't even a door to that "staff room." And if there was, it was WIDE open. The "staff room" sign wasn't at eye level, it was above the doorway, so I didn't see it. If I knew it was a staff room, I would never have gone inside. Which I didn't by the way, I didn't even set foot in the room. There was a large box like thing right by the doorway that had a whole bunch of stuff on it, like other sweaters, water bottles, and trash. I literally just tossed my sweater into the room (I didn't expect to ever see it again, because let's be real it's Phil's) and onto that surface. The entry way to that staff room was open to the entire public. Anyone could have gotten in there. In my opinion, a staff room should not only always be closed, but especially in a bar setting, I feel like it should be LOCKED. Two seconds later a security guard grabbed me by the arm (unnecessary as heck, all I did was put my sweater down, she did not need to touch me) and said "it's time to go." There were two guards and I must say I really appreciate that the male guard was a lot more respectful than the girl who grabbed me. He didn't touch me. I was so genuinely confused that I asked why and she told me that it's an "automatic out" for putting my sweater down in their staff room. While I do understand that customers are obviously not allowed in any staff room, it was very unclear that that was a staff room. It was wide open, so I don't know how they are allowed to punish you for going in when they don't take any precautions to keep people out. Two things bothered me most about this situation: 1. If it is so important for people not to enter your staff room that you kick people out for it, why is the room accessible to everyone? Why is the sign not at eye level where it can be seen? Why is there NOTHING keeping it enclosed from your bar crowd? Surely this does not keep your staff's belongings safe. 2. The problem was simple: I accidentally put my sweater down somewhere it shouldnt be. The solution to this problem should have been just as simple as "you can't go in there, that's our staff room" followed by me saying sorry, collecting my sweater, and removing it from the room. Problem solved. Being kicked out is not necessary. Grabbing me by the arm is not necessary, and straight up rude, as I was not being rowdy or out of control. I was standing still and speaking. As I was being walked out, I heard the security guard speak into her radio set and say "I've got a female coming out." I know they must kick people out on purpose to let more people in who will pay cover but honestly I can think of no better way to lose a customer than to be this disrespectful. Not that it matters because hey don't care about customers since they are packed every night and people will continue to go no matter what. But I never would have expected this from anywhere, even a shoddy place like this. So here I am after being kicked out, alone outside in the cold (this sucked). When I finally found my boyfriend he had no coat on because he told me they lost it at coat check. ARE YOU KIDDING ME THIS IS LITERALLY WHY PEOPLE PAY FOR COAT CHECK....TO NOT LOSE THEIR COAT. AND COAT CHECK LOST IT. Hahahaha everything about this staff was just terrible. Twelve thumbs down for service here, even with the lowest expectations. If you have customers who pay to be in your bar, you are expected to at the very least provide a neutral customer service experience. I didn't expect much coming in here, all I wanted was to dance and have drinks. I never would have expected it to be this bad. A truly awful experience.

Carrie Butt

Small, over crowded, smells, bathrooms are disgusting, staff is rude, garbage everywhere...worst place on earth

Monica Moore

Drinks are super cheap for $2.25, which is the main draw. Makes it very popular for students. Other than that, it's a very grimy place with way too many people crowded onto the dance floor.

Colin Armstrong

The best

Gavin Wall

Super Fun Place to be Music doesn't leave you with that ringing in your ears when you get home. The whole weekend there is sick. Not a big enough dance floor. A bit Dirty. But good music and Friendly people. Hard to get in some nights.

Dan Brooks

It's a pretty gross place but it's cheap as hell and always real busy, at least during the school year.

Ben Vautour

You are not coming here for a clean bar, with classy people. You're coming to phils because you're under 28, and just love to rage the night away. Or you've just gotten out of a long term relationship and want to rebound. Haha either way, you aren't going to have a bad time here

Adam Urban

Greasy

Anthony Wang

Phil's is one of those places that you should go see once, and then never again, until you accidentally get wasted and get dragged there again by one of your buddies, or unless it's "one of those nights". Overall a good experience, or so I've been told by my friends who still remember the night.

Alex W

Phil's is famous for being a dive, but charmingly so. I really don't see the charm.

Philippe Rivet

Myself and the semi-European crew had an absolute blast here on a chilly March evening. Drink selection was good and the bouncers were reasonable, so my only complaint was the fairly generic music selection. That being said I'd imagine there's some variation per week/day so I'll have to visit again another time. Overall 8/10 would mostly recommend

Shub Sengupta

Extremely cheap drinks, and always packed. Always a good time.

Franklyn Brandon Djantio

Always a good time, reasonable prices, and nice atmosphere

Andy P

Go here only when you're drunk enough to not care about the filth, and cheap dirnks

ALEXANDRA

Old School Sunday’s and your closest friends. Won’t need more than $20 for a great time.

Amy Hart

Extremely rude staff who chuck people out for not apparent reason purely to gain more money/let more people in. Avoid it.

Jayveer Parmar

Great place and so many people. But I entered at 10 pm and I went outside for 20 minutes. I had to wait for 1:45 minutes outside to enter again. Go early, so you don't have to wait. Overall it's good place

Mark Nicholl

Lives up to the hype

Alex K

Cover is overpriced. Not in the mood to pay $7 so gross guys can sexually assault me while security does next to nothing, except kick random people out for no reason just to make more space to make more money

Michael Pang

Meh

Daniel Andrews

Disgusting place for a club with cheap drinks, you pay for what you get

Lenny Leopere

Dirty Phil's don't wear white this place is definitely a dirty place to get your dance on.

soggybread

Kicked my friend out after one drink because they sought she was drunk... had bad heart burn And decided to sit down for q few minutes as soon as they seen this she was kicked out.

Stephen K

Don't take expensive clothing to this bar or anything else that has any value to it, into the bar. Big problem with there coat check. Its a big scam run by some of the staff. Friends have lost some pretty valuable coats at this establishment and they have no intentions of fixing this problem. Customer beware!

Anna Nguyen

Don't look up, down, or anywhere. Just try not to touch anything. Make sure to predrink before you come, coming here sober is a bad idea. Otherwise cheap drinks and fun time to be had. By 10/11pm the line starts forming. 5$ cover and 3$ coat check. There are different themes for different nights.

Anirudh

Nice place to party in the town the best party songs are on the linear of DJ what else one Needs

Ge Consultants

Upscale disco club for those young hippsters. Highly recommended for students

Zachary Mielke

Cheap drinks and theamed nights what more do you want from a dirty bar.

Damla Larcin

Cheap drinks and a gross place..

Greg Taillon

Total dungeon and cheap, *cheap* drinks—but that's the whole point. The fact this is a 2-star (or maybe 1-star) joint is entirely part of its appeal. Just watch the crowd.

Nick

Time to get philthy.

Roll my Face Plez

Amazing place! Very cute brunette barback . All staff are lovely. I come here every week and always get my money’s worth. I recommend this place to everyone. If you tip well in the first drink, they will remember your order and always serve you first.

Kevin H

its horrible in every way

Rasol

Dianne and her staff are very friendly and quick with their service. Drinks are cheap so you are getting what you pay for, but that beats $7 drinks to me. Tip nicely or at least well enough and they'll make sure you have a good time. Music is cool, the place isnt the cleanest but it is a club bar filled hundreds of young people at a time, you can't expect it to be spotless. Overall, cheap drinks, a nice staff and solid music provide a nice night out

E. Vardon

Dingy basement that I used to go to ages ago for the cheap drinks before I realized no drink is cheap enough to justify being treated like garbage by staff.

Jim Lahey

I walked in here and after a few sippy-poos i don't remember anything else. I later woke up in my underwear on the lawn by my trailer. The liquor takes over calls all the shots

Sash S

It's going downhill slowly, maybe it's my age however Phil's music is lacking heavily. It's gone into a heavily pop hip hop stage regardless of the night. I highly recommend Dianne considers playing house music one Saturdays or a bigger diversity of music. Cheap prices place is always busy and great place to meet people or even hangout with some friends. Overall a neat place.

Amitoz Brar

The club is good overall but god the security needs to chill especially the guyz inside. People will have to pull the mask down to sip the beer they ordered.

Alvin Varghese

Affordable drinks. Superb atmosphere to enjoy n celebrate. The only con that see is that the bar counter is cash only.

John Ranchuk

Only place in town that scans ID’s. they’re scanners broke so didn’t let anyone in after 12... don’t go here

Michael Burchill

Cheap drinks, the bartending staff were good, but security staff were incredibly incompetent and rude.

Ashley Amber Woods

all staff are very kind except the lady in coat check. theres no need to throw my jacket at me cause theres a lineup of people waiting to get their jackets

876Ajax

The most nonsensical security. Where else in Canada do they chose what type of government id to accept on particular nights? Every night, except Wednesday night health cards are accepted. Best you go out somewhere else that is more up to date with Canadian standards.

CUJO R

Pros: - $12 pitchers and $6 refills (Can bring back your pitcher) - Cheap drinks with plenty of options - Drink service is fast (usually) - Female bartender in the back is friendly - You'll always see someone you know there Cons: - You get eyeballed if you have a pitcher - Floors are comparable to a pothole filled road on a rainy night, stumble once and you'll get kicked out no hesitation - Line to get in on warm days is incredibly long. Coat check to get out in the winter is almost as brutal - Dance floor is relatively small - Phils Washrooms second as a plentiful bacteria collection zone for microbiology students. If you see a student swabbing the wall, don't be alarmed it's for a upcoming lab [Bathrooms similar to subway washrooms on the sanitary spectrum] - They check ID yet most people look & act 17 +/- 1 year Staff (bouncers/bartenders) will treat you poorly or fairly based on your actions. If you're not slurring your words, tripping, dozing off, spilling your drinks, starting fights...Etc then you probably won't get kicked out. Fun place for 1st and 2nd years, degrades as you get older unless you're with a big group of friends. If you're on a budget and club appearance isn't an issue, Phil's is good for you. I'd recommend visiting most clubs in Toronto.

Eymen Mahmud

(Translated) Good (Original) جيد

James MacLean

Epitome of Waterloo

Garrett Lajoie

Good DJ, drinks are very cheap. $2.25 for mixed drinks, $2.75 for a beer. Gets busy very quickly though. We waited in the coat check line on our way out for a solid 30 minutes on Saturday night which is outrageous. I would not come back with it being as crowded as that.

Scoots

Ill tell my grand children about this place.

Adam Pitters-Fisher

Treat them nice and they will do the same

Emma Burtis

My friends and i went to Phil's Grandsons tonight for Phil's Wednesdays and while me and one of our friends (who happened to be our DD for the night) were going outside for fresh air he was KICKED OUT for the way he walked up the stairs due to a GENETIC DISEASE that results in deteriorating muscle in his legs causing him to have to use the railing and his upper body strength more than the rest of us. Due to this security seemed him "too drunk" to be in the club. He is registered with the government and is receiving benefits for it because he cannot legally work in Ontario. This is a legitimate thing. He will be in a wheelchair within the next 5-10 years (at least). We are only 20. He is trying to make the most of his youth and ability to move while he still has it. The fact that he was SOBER and was kicked out onto the street on his own and separated from our group tonight for something that he CANNOT control is disgusting. When we talked to BOTH security and the Waterloo Police we were told there was nothing they could do because that was a "judgement call" that was made and he would not be let in again even if he waited through the whole line for a second time. Not to mention while I was speaking with the police (very calmly) I was rudely pushed over to the cage where you go when outside to smoke by security and couldn't even finish asking my question. None of us were rude or uncooperative or even very intoxicated but the way we were treated would suggest differently. I am appalled and I can guarantee I won't be returning unless something is done to resolve this issue. The utter disrespect and blatant rudeness we received was ridiculous. His muscle is deteriorating along with his health and both of these facts were completely overlooked. So much for a good night with my friends while home from Ottawa for only a week.

Melissa Church

Cheap drinks. The staff are very rude.

Michael Dereje

Bestest place evaaar

Carmen L

I was kicked out because a guy was following us and I was really disappointed that they didn't stand up for 4 girls from being assaulted by a random guy. When we were kicked out, the guy who was harassing us proceeded to follow us down the block. Not happy with phils service. I was a loyal customer for 5 years and have never experienced such bad service before. When we asked the bouncer for a reason for why we were being kicked out, she could not produce a sensible answer.

Kat

Diveyest of dive bars. Hella sketchy and really dirty. And full of really young drunk kids. Not my scene, and would recommend any of the pubs in the uptown area in lieu of this place.

Ebin Kuruvilla

They kicked us out after half an hour. Said we were drunk when we had only one shot.

William Sutton

Worst club I've ever been to. Terrible music and the security guards are on the owners dick getting paid off to kick out males and not females

Nicole

This place is the grungiest of grottos. But Lord knows students holla for 2 Dolla drinks... 90% of the time you will witness a fight while in line or inside so that adds an additional element of entertainment #WorldStar? The stairs are steep and can wreak havoc amongst the most sober of men, let alone the inebriated, but what's a night out without some ~risk~. Ventilation game non existent, but the heat and sheer congestion will DEFINITELY have you working up a sweat within minutes on the dfloor- hot yoga alternative anyone? If you are not buying drinks or dancing, be prepared to receive ye olde exit instructions from security. The bathrooms will have a clogged sink and no paper towel in record time, but you will befriend drunk girls who will compliment your eyebrows and detract from the amenities or lack thereof. If you leave having only lost your dignity, that is considered an accomplishment. If you're lucky, you may even see Phil himself make an appearance (I have! But it may very well have been a vodka cran induced mirage). Oh also, please do not wear open toe....you will be slipping and sliding in all sorts of liquids. ALL SORTS! That being said, we all love this godforsaken place. Long live Phil's!

Julianna Jensen

I always have a good time here. Always!

nick_sound_guy

Cheapest drinks in town but the bathrooms are a disturbing cesspool by midnight

Mike Bostioca

Phil's is a dirty and loud bar, with a vast majority of guests being university or college students. Friday nights are top 40, Saturday nights are electronic music and house music, Sundays are throwbacks, and Wednesday nights are hip hop. Drinks are cheap, about 2.50 for mixed drinks. Overall a fun time if you come in without any expectations and are willing to go with whatever happens.

Ashkan Abedian

Disgusting

Ryan H

You hate it but you love it.

Marissa C

I would suggest investing in better maintenance of the bathrooms.

Igor T

Worst dive bar I have ever been to. It's in the basement and looks like a dungeon from one of the Saw movies and there is a nasty rotten egg smell. It appeals to poor students who go there for the cheapest drinks available on the planet, mainly because they are extremely watered down. Worst bar in town by far.

Adam Mace

Oh man, Phils.... Where to start... Drinks are cheap. I mean super cheap. They have no problem selling you 4 at a time, or at least didn't used to anyway. Bathroom smells like pee. Floor smells like pee, pool tables have stains that I hope isn't pee. There was Fooseball and Pool and a dance floor I wouldn't recommend going anywhere near. But drinks are cheap. Did I mention drinks are cheap?

Mitch B

You dont go to Phils because its clean. You dont go to Phils to get in right away. You go to Phils because its Phils.

Dylan Dunstall

This was my favourite bar as a university student.

vz

2.25 for drinks, 5 cover. You really can't go wrong. Guaranteed a good time. Pro Tip: this place is crowded, and leaving can be difficult through the hoards of sweaty people, so just act really drunk and the bouncers will 'show' you to a quick exit

Neil Wittig-Rice

This place is terrible, not only is it greasy and has overpriced cover but the bouncers are aggressive and hostile. AVOID THIS PLACE

Olivia Almeida

I will never return to Phil's Grandsons. All night the security was unnecessarily aggressive. My friend has a genetic disorder which is causing the muscle in his legs to deteriorate and as a direct result walks with a limp and struggles to walk up and down the stairs. When he was going outside for fresh air with another friend security closely watched him walking up the stairs with a limp and decided that was proof of intoxication and threw him out onto the street without any of his friends "for being to drunk". He was sober. When we asked why he was kicked out security was extremely rude and dismissive even as we explained he was sober and has a health disorder which he is registered with the government for having. They still refused to let him in. We then talked to the police that were present and they were also completely unhelpful and clearly wanted nothing less than to hear our explanations. While talking to the police security was yelling at us and physically attempting to move us back to the designated area to be in outdoors. We said we are discussing something with the police and tried to continue our conversation with them. We continued to be rudely addressed by security and forced back to the outdoor area. With no staff or police willing to hear us out or show any empathy we went and found our friend and left. This individual is expected to be in a wheelchair within the next 5 years. He simply wanted to enjoy his youth as much as he can while he is still able to do so out of a wheelchair. So much for letting him a fun night with friends. I am truly appalled at how the situation was handled.

Fred Hesage

Group of four of us went and tried the new food. The nacho’s were good. Love the Phils finest beer. We’ll definitely be back!

tejas Thakkar

this is not a good place .pls avoid to come at this place..

Ilia S

Great atmosphere

Jai

Crowd is nice, even venue is average. But the staff who works there is the worst I ever came across. They treat their customers in the most rude way possible. We paid $7 each as a cover charge at the door. At bar we ordered drinks and for the bar tender was supposed to give $2 back as a change. He never returned the change and treated us as we were drunk and we don't remember to collect it. When I asked him, this guy very rudely gave me $2 back and told me that for next drink I ll need to go to the back bar as he won't be serving us. He acted so weirdly coz I did not get the tip. On next drink, I was refused at the bar and told to go to the back bar. I asked his ugly looking supervisor if it is mandatory to give tips. And she responded that isn't that obvious. They spoiled my mood and the whole night. I worked in hospitality industry for so long and we never do this to our customers. It is totally upto the customer if we want to tip or not. May be we can't afford a tip or may be your service is not worth tipping but you can't force him to tip. These people are just so cheap. They have no sense of what hospitality is. If I was there boss , I ll ask them to go to school again and learn some basic manners about how to treat your customers right. You guys get paid and got jobs coz customers visit there each week and spend. You should treat them in a fair manner. Worst experience ever. Guys if you have options, never go there. There are many other better places on king st. Where staff is nice and they give your every cent back to you in change. And then you can freely decide if you want to tip them or not. These guys are not going to get anywhere with there life, they got such a childish attitude. Worst staff, they will spoil your mood for no reason. Worsttt

Dylan Fishe

If they want a good review from this writer they are going to need to clean up there act and start accepting health cards not everyone is dedicated to drinking enough to get a photo card (purple card or Ontario photo ID card ) not everyone drives so not everyone has a drivers license with over 1000s of hits on my reviews I'm not saying they need my review but it is proven that reviews can make or break a bar I'm not in control of that

Melissa Sindorf

Really rude staff when my coat was missing. They didn't want to help or anything.

Manvir Atwal

Un-ban me and I will give you 5 stars

Alex Galvez

Cheapest place for drinks that you will find in the area. Great for college/university students.

Jack Toner

Best bar have been to ever

Paula Guerin

As everyone else already said it’s dirty. Stick to the ground , long lines blah blah. But honestly every time I pass this place i just think drama. The street is covered in cops with there lights on stopping people and ambulances and even tonight I went to pickup a burrito right next store and there were a couple firetrucks and they were spraying what looks like blood or puke off the whole parking lot and students were all running out of the building ? I think it’s just a drama filled spot we’re their is fighting about a lot of drunken belligerent students ..

Mingoman Mingoman

(Nightclub/dance club/bar/watering hole) Hands down the cheapest bar in town by far. Drinks start at $2.25, hotspot for students on a budget to go drinking and dancing. Frequently lined up to the street on weekends. Walking in the entrance takes you down a set of black stairs to this Waterloo-famous bar and nightclub. DJs spin an assortment of music (each night has a different theme) and there are two bars where you can grab your $2.25 bar rail/mixed drinks or domestic beer. Import beer or top shelf liquor is priced a bit higher but nothing really over 5 bucks. Perfect for students or anyone not interested in paying Toronto prices! My only advice is to not wear nice shoes or sandals, as the floor gets VERY grungy as the night goes on. Parking is free and available at the side of building. Coat check during the cold months for a nominal fee. Designated smokers only area. Not sure about wheelchair accessibility at this time.

S D

Crazy place for crazy people.

Greg Edwards

Cheap drinks typical university bar

Peiwen Zhang

That club is sooooo crowded! I can't even move

Sarah J

Honestly disgusting. The floors are always soaked and the club is dirty. I was waiting in line for my coat and the staff were screaming at me to get out. We weren’t causing any problems just waiting for our coats IN LINE. Really disappointing.

r

Very disappointed. DD for my friends this weekend and 5 minutes into getting to the bar my friend orderd one drink and was kicked out for not tipping. Bar tender yelled at her calling her rude even tho she did nothing to provoke the bar tender. 5 minutes after the encounter 6 security guards started escorting us 4 small girls out for standing and talking. Security Had no reason for us on why he had to kick us out. Very unprofessional and will not be returning.

Phil Strikwerda

Really cool bar for college/young people

First name Last name

I was groped more than once and the place is so dark that I can't find out who did it. Cops should be all over this place, rape is not OK but the environment allows it. Sticky floors makes it harder to get away.

Savannah Hazia

I was at Phil's the past 4 Saturday's in a row for birthdays, bachelorette, etc and they were all horrible experiences. PROS Cheap drinks Decent bottle service CONS Staff is so rude and if you seem to be having a good time, then their eyes are always watching you...it's so uncomfortable Need more than one piece of ID because one night they asked every other person for another piece of ID (which was such a hassle and a little unnecessary) Dance floor is also uneven so be prepared to have people literally fall on you It's mostly students (like every other club/bar on king street - which is totally fun) but the crowd isn't nice and it's not a fun atmosphere The fact that this happened not only once, but four weekends in a row ??? And unless you're one of the first 100 ladies who get in free, then it's not worth it at all.

Exzo Global

decent experience, don't expect anything fancy, it's dirty phils. Could use lots of improvements but it's ok

K

Honestly never come here again. I would give Phils a 0 if I could. My friends and I were enjoying the night and decided to come to Phils for cheap drinks. We spent about $50 there within a time spans of an hour with drinks alone for two people. They ordered two jugs of white freezies in which costs ($35, $40 with tip, plus a few drinks here and there and $21 for cover for three of us). It was just three of us, and we went to the washroom and walked out and were told “ you’re asked to leave” when we did nothing wrong. And then they tried changing their story up by saying we were puking but we didn’t? The security is horrible considering they tried to act tough and threatened to ban us. We’ve seen people who couldn’t even walk and they weren’t being kicked out, how ridiculous. I only had one drink while I was there because I was driving that night. The security needs better training and the club itself is a cash grab. I suggest going uptown Waterloo to the clubs there like Becky’s, Nightschool, Stark, Pub or even Brixton. Pay the extra $ for better service and save the extra cost on cover. Cover is $7 at Phils, drinks are cheap starting at $2.50 to maybe $5. Most places charge $5 cover or are free. While the security uptown does their job, they aren’t rude and they don’t try to use excessive force unless necessary. The security at Phils tried to use excessive force as my friends were trying to finish their drink before leaving because they PAID for it. It’s not like we were harmed and dangerous. We didn’t even touch them, but we exchanged harsh words in which they aggregated the situation and didn’t give us a clear reason why we were being kicked out. The security kept switching the reason from the bar cop said so to we were puking in the bathroom (in which we weren’t??) Aside from that, my friends and I have never been kicked out from any club or bar. We tend to also tip Very well as we work in the hospitality industry. Honestly, video record everything if you get in trouble with security because they were aggravating the situation and making it worst for themselves as they were being neglectful and disregarding their duty of care to guests. Sorry Phils, but you’ve lost my business.

Jacek Cuddles

Got bounced out 2 seconds after I just bought drinks for me and a lady, wasn't anywhere near drunk, shady staff, go there if you enjoy getting robbed.

Steve Wang

fun time

Don X

Nice atmosphere

nikita looby

If I had money i would make it my personal mission to ensure this place was closed down and that everyone lost their jobs. I had to give one star because there was no negative star option. Every single one of their staff members need to be fired. They cant recognize drunk and disorderly from perfectly sober. I was kicked out five minutes after i got in, trying to look for my friends. The line up is ridiculously long - waste of time. cheap drinks is probably why they got the one star, but everyone there is on a power trip and feels like they can treat people like garbage. Its unacceptable and management needs to deal with it.

Mackenzie Collins

The kind of place that requires a shower and sanatizing after leaving. The locals say, "dont look up or down." because both induce vomiting. Only plus side is the drinks are like 2 dollars.

Lauren Homann

Overall a pretty grimy and dirty club for 19 year olds. Very cheap drinks with $7 cover make it a pretty inexpensive night out. They have poles for dancing. Music is pop, it's meh. You can have a pretty good night if you get enough drinks in! Also it's usually pretty busy with a 45 minute wait at peak times on weekends. For the love of god do not wear nice shoes they will not survive the night. They're very diligent with ID's, they usually scan my licence so I wouldn't suggest bringing a fake. They even asked my friend why he was wearing glasses when it didn't say he needed them to drive on his licence.

Jacob

Had a nice warm meal here with my grandmother. Very friendly staff.

jonathan manson-hennig

Send it!

Joe D

Lines are a pain in the ass, but once you're in it's got what you want. Decent sound system, drinks are pretty cheap and enough of a crowd to get you up and moving.

Abi Mayouran

I loved it here. Came with my girls

Erik T

Warning, you may get kicked out if you aren't dropping enough cash.

Kala Bogle

Don't reccomend it. The club is great but staff are awful. You could be forcefully removed for no reason and they will say they used the appropriate force needed. Won't get into details but the business practices of this club are awful. Spend your money somewhere where the owners actually care about your safety.

Ryan T

Could not believe how clean it was and how pleasant the staff were ! I went with my grandparents on a Wednesday night and they just loved the music and overall ambiance. Fun for the whole family !! They even have a fenced in area for your pets where you let those littler whippersnappers play with each other while you girate your hips on the classy dance floor !

Sagar Patel

Great place for the price and if you don't care much about cleanliness in any way, shape, or form.

Al Z

Security will kick you out for briefly closing your eyes (my friend was told to leave), the trashiest club in all of Waterloo. Brixton is way better. Don't bother trying to pre-drink, if security see's that your even a little bit intoxicated they won't let you in. NOT FUN, by the time you wait in line and get in, your buzz will be gone. Bad experience multiple times.

Armando Martínez Mandujano

Nice place, just a lot of people inside but great place for drinks & music

denise christiansen

All you young ladies in the Kitchener area, please if you go to this bar, there is a very good chance that you will be assaulted by the goons that they call doormen. If you value your body DO NOT GO TO THIS BAR.. The "doormen" (they have absolutely no idea what that means) would rather throw you to the ground, then use their limited communication skills. Giving true meaning to the term Neanderthal, especially Mr Dreads.

speedzees

Cheap and dirty. Popular with the young crowd

brayden colley

Reminded me of comfort zone, with more apealing music. Pushy crowds and no door on the bathroom stalls. Not the greatest unless your like me and like cheap drinks, then its nice. Definatly a college place.

Ethan Zheng

Cheapest drink, don't complain, you paid for it.

Trevor Rankin

I use to enjoy going here when I lived here. I find the bouncers to be hostile and aggressive. I'm here visiting my family because I've moved to b.c. they need to be trained on identifying proof of vaccination from else where it was cold enough waiting in a lineup because they were at max which is understandable regarding covid and crowding but they made me wait well others were let in well they brought out someone else to also look at my proof of vaccination. I felt embarrassed and this was not okay If you're going to require vaccination KNOW HOW TO IDENTIFY DIFFERENT TYPES

21 Savage

gross place. cheap drinks but terribly made. music has kinda sucked recently , friends and i are not planning on going back anymore. staff are rude and youre more likely to get an STD just stepping foot in this place than to get a buzz cause you get kicked out before you can have more than 1 shot

Rickkyy Bobby

phils deserves one word "HORRIBLE"

Ashraf Nana

Amazing shawarma. Very frendly and nice owners. Chicken from Sargent Farms so halaal.

Isaak Haig

A great place to let lose

Robert Henri

Do not go here. Rude staff, bouncers are thugs and the place is a health hazard. If you go here only drink out of beer bottles and never buy food!!!

Jasmine T.

Worst security of all time. No need to even post why, as clearly Phil’s knows they have a monopoly on certain nights and doesn’t care to improve or change their service. The people who work security here have god complexes for no reason.

Kirk Archer

Horrible..

Johnathan Ho

Good place to go clubbing, drinks aren't too expensive. It gets pretty hot and there is no cell reception

Len Balelle

what is the age limit for the bar area, I was hoping on having my son lenards birthday party hear since I met phill, what a very nice old man!

S N

Great music!

Megan L

This place looks at ur reviews and puts ur name on the black list, that's what happened to my friend. The place is super dirty and nasty. Everyone is super young, like 15. Don't go if ur over the age of 18 u will feel like a grandma. Would never go back!

Tyler Gooding

Place is disgusting dont wear open shoes ladies but overall not going to find a place where you can drink for as cheap here

Hassan Malik

Trashy and dirty, but it's cheap.

Misaki Iida

Good for students

Chase Cameron

Good for a cheap night out, but bouncers tend to have a god complex and drag females out by their hair

K Power

One of the sketchiest clubs I've ever been too. The floors, walls, and ceiling were wet and sticky. Waited outside in the freezing cold for almost an hour. Cheap drinks tho.

Tristan M

One of the worst venues in Waterloo. It's an underground dungeon, filthy does not even come close to describe this place. Rude staff, not a pleasant plac. Avoid at all costs

Tyler Sorensen

No good

Jessica Weir

Fun on Sundays.. they play music from the 90s and early 00s

Second Soul

Students frequent this bar out of nostalgia for how terrible it is.

Dan Shaw

drinks so cheap, but closed on tuesday, what gives? im done my last exam and need to get blitzed.

Rachel Solway

I have never been so disrespected in my entire life. Staff making up excuses to yell at me. Got kicked out thirty minutes later for no reason. Was physically escorted out and i have extreme bruising on my arms. Afterwards, I was sent on my way with insults from multiple staff members. awful place. They will kick you out for anything.

ChinNa Tu

clubs or other party facilities need to enforce respectful ground rules for their security guards. There are many cases where they are trying to “act” as the tough guy and use their power against situations where there is no need for any aggression. There was one incident where a group of individuals threw water and ice at another group of people… a security guard comes to the group that were the victims and claims to have seen someone throw water at the group that in reality had instigated the whole thing. The security guard comes and says “I saw someone throw water, who was it?”… now if you think about that question he asked …why would he ask who threw the water when he claims that he saw someone throw it.. if he saw someone who threw the water…why didn’t he tell them who it was? As the group kept asking who the security guard saw, the guard said “ I don’t want to deal with this right now” and attempts to grab the individual who asked the simple question. 3 guards were on that individual.. the individual was not aggressive. There were other witnesses and victims as well but the security guards were NOT professional at all and are not understanding. While they were escorted out (2 people that were victims and were not aggressive) one of the individuals asked if they could get their jackets… the guard yelled with aggression “we will deal with that once you guys get out”…as they got out..the security guards went straight back into the club..leaving the 2 individuals outside in the cold without their jackets. One of the individuals talked to the cops outside, the cop was VERY RESPECTFUL and UNDERSTOOD THE SITUATION and told them what they needed to do to get back there jackets. This situation was actually filmed (for evidence) and one of the individuals who were escorted by one of the guards actually received a large scratch on her right arm. (Pictures were taken for evidence). If guards are not respectful towards their customers, many people will not have respect for them as well. If the guards were to listen and understand the situation properly, individuals who still need to be escorted out of the club would not have to question why they were kicked out, and why there was so much aggression used. There was really no need for all this aggression if the security guard told the group WHO he saw throw the water even if he did see someone throw the water. He basically threw out 2 victims that did nothing but ask reasonable questions that he could not answer. This is unacceptable and I would not be surprised if lawsuits were to come out of this situation or other similar ones.