U of T Campus Bar & Wings Shut Down, Copper Boot Takes Over

0:00It's March 30, I'm Cory with the story, and this is Toronto News Today, your AI-powered local news, a spot right on the edge of University of Toronto campus at 171 College Street just lost two favorites. Smith's social house, the go-to bar for students craving drinks and bites, shut down for good in the first days of 2026, and with it went ding-a-wing, the fried chicken joint famous for some of the city's best wings. That address has seen plenty of action over the years. It used to house O'Grady's, a legendary student hangout that closed overnight back in 2021. Smith's social house stepped in to fill the gap, pulling in crowds with its barbive, and then leveled up in 2024 by bringing ding-a-wing. On board for that perfect beer and wings combo. Students and wing lovers are feeling the sting from the set-in-double closure. No more easy late-night spots for U of T folks ride by campus, and Google now lists both as permanently shut. It's a blow for those sticky-finger regulars who made it their routine.

1:00But here's the update, keeping things lively. Early February 2026 saw the copper boot take over the space. This Tex-Mex sports bar calls itself Toronto's game day headquarters with pool tables upstairs, pints on tap, and even wings going for $1 each during Leafs games. So if you're missing that campus energy, swing by the copper boot. They've kept the bones of the place alive for the next round of fans chasing pints, and plays, and plays.