outside Toronto, you're not going to get bearable pub near station and nearish hotel. Some of the other cities have transit that's still "get you to/from work" and nothing else. Wild suggestion: Port Hope. Pretty. 1 hr east by train. Walkable. Has decent food and pubs. Very slightly radioactive
not actually against that. tell me more...
Ah; just checked Via rail schedule - last train out of Toronto is 18:38. Likely too limiting for you. It's a shame, as it's a pretty town and the station is right in the middle. Sorry. The VIA trains are pretty inflexible
yeah, i love the VIA (did a lot last time i was there) but it's definitely a work in progress!
What about staying in downtown Hamilton? Definitely some nice drinking venues and decent hotels in easy walking proximity to the Hamilton GO Centre, and from there 70-80 minutes by train or bus to Toronto Union.