Whether it’s because of the rising cost of living or because Gen Z isn’t spending their nights in the same way as generations before, a lot of Toronto restaurants have been finding ways to cater to multiple crowds. Mid-day cocktails, casual business meetings, lively nights with a live DJ — all of this can now often be found in one venue.
Charlie Social House — a British-inspired restaurant that just opened on Fort York Boulevard — is one of them. After months of anticipation, it’s finally welcoming guests in the former Fox & Fiddle CityPlace space, which closed in 2025.
The chain location had been under the ownership of Reign Company, which owns Fox on John and Junior’s Burger Joint, since 2014. Chief Marketing Officer Syed Sohail says the plan was always to transform the space — but only after they spent some time understanding what the neighbourhood wanted.
“We’ve had a Fox and Fiddle location, Fox on John, for many years and we’ve been successful in that venture, but we wanted to bring some new energy and a new brand to Toronto,” says Sohail. “We wanted something new that felt like a welcoming neighbourhood bar, but also something that could be a destination for special events, for birthday memories, for anniversaries — something that could really feel like it was a cornerstone in the neighbourhood.”
Those living nearby, those visiting for sporting events, those going out for dinner and drinks — Charlie is looking to please them all. That’s why Reign Company founders Junior and Pragash Sritharan named the newly defined space after someone they know who is “everyone’s friend.”
“He’s a very fun guy,” says Sohail. “Charlie is your best friend, the kind of the reliable guy that you could go to in your neighbourhood. We wanted to play on that.”
Like its predecessor, Charlie Social House’s menu will take on a classic British fare from fish and chips to the Irish spice bags, while still taking influence from other flavours and tastes around the world.
“We also want to be a little more intercontinental because Toronto is such a melting pot. We’ll have a great mix of food that we know and love that’s comfortable but delicious,” Sohail says. “You’ll have your cozy meals, your easygoing meals like a burger, and then you can also have a nice pasta dish, pizza, or nice main to elevate your experience.”
The cocktail menu similarly puts a unique twist on popular English drinks like a Pimm’s Cup with a tropical spin, as well as others other fruity tastes named for quintessential locations like the Wimbledon Sunset and Brighton Beach Club.
To accommodate the range of diners expected to take over Charlie’s Social House, the space will boast big screens just in time for the World Cup, a spacious patio, and a back room for private dining. Whether you’re out for a blurry night with friends at the front of the bar or seeking an intimate date night in the back, the space is built for versatility.
“We want to make sure that we are bringing the elements into the space that people knew and loved from the past venue, but also in a newer, more elevated experience overall,” says Sohail.
Once Charlie Social House has settled into the community, the restaurant will be a destination for a range of special events including trivia nights, karaoke nights and live music and DJs.
“Think of it as your second home — you could come here for anything, whether it’s day, lunch, corporate offices, meetings, or hanging out with your friends late at night,” Sohail says. “This is going to be your home away from home.”
