Offering a different, slower experience than many of the city's best drinking dens, Toronto's top whisky bars are for the real aficionados. Here, you'll find shelves stocked with rare bottles and special releases, often hand-picked by their knowledgeable owners. Prepare to pore over novel-length menus — Toronto's best whisky bars take pride in their enormous selections, with hundreds of spirits lining the walls like a drinkable art installation. There's always something new to sip, whether you're hunting down a cult-classic label or finally sampling that elusive Islay malt that never made it to the LCBO.
You're just as likely to strike up a conversation with the friendly bartender about the dram in your hand as you are with the fellow whisky nerd at the barstool next to you. These aren't just places to try bold, smoky and delicious liquid gold — they're places of community, where you'll find people just as passionate about the stuff.
From single malts and Japanese bottles to Canadian rye and even whisky cocktails, Toronto's whisky bars have something for every palate. Whether you've signed up for a limited-edition tasting, are bringing dad here for Father's Day or just celebrating the end of the work week, Toronto's whisky bars have got you covered.
1. The Caledonian
856 College St.
Run by Scottish ex-pats Donna and David Wolff, this pub on College Street is a whisky lover’s wonderland. With over 600 single malts to savour, some of which the bar directly imports; authentic dishes like pickled eggs, haggis, neeps and tatties or North Sea haddock and chips; and a private, well-manicured back patio, The Caledonian transports you to downtown Edinburgh.
Taste a dram of something rare or exclusive in The Ardbeg Room: The Caledonian is an Ardbeg Embassy, which means access to special releases and parties. Keep an eye on their website and social media for upcoming events, like tastings and live Celtic music.
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Read more2. CC Lounge and Whisky Bar
45 Front St. E.
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Of all the excellent places to sip Canadian whisky in Toronto, CC Lounge’s custom-made wood tunnel, inspired by a secret underground bootlegging passageway, takes top billing. With a minimum purchase of $25 in tastings per person, guests can book a private tour led by a whisky expert. Your head will be spinning from over 500 whisky options to choose from, starting from $10 and going all the way up to $250 per tasting. North American dark spirits are the specialty here, but you’ll also find scotch and other international pours.
In the main bar area, leather booths, old-timey portraits, candelabra sconces and side-swung chandeliers set a 1920s funhouse-esque vibe that lands somewhere between glamorous and gaudy. An oversized portrait of Canadian Club founder Hiram Walker looks down over the cocktail bar at the back, which transforms into a lively but relaxed dancefloor on the weekends, catering to a more mature crowd.
3. Enigma Macallan Lounge
23 St Thomas St.
If you’re looking to take things to the next level, we know exactly where to go for a little extra drama with your dram. Enigma Yorkville — already a one-Michelin-star dining destination three years running — has teamed up with The Macallan to unveil Toronto’s first and only lounge dedicated entirely to the iconic whisky.
Tucked away behind closed doors, The Macallan Lounge is an ultra-intimate six-seater experience, designed for scotch lovers who like their evenings nuanced, luxurious and with nose firmly in glass. Here, guests are invited to sip their way through The Macallan’s exceptional single malts, perfectly paired with a curated menu that includes showstoppers like Antonius Oscietra Caviar and Highland Beef Wellington.
Order classics like The Macallan Old Fashioned and Paper Plane on the cocktail list, or treat yourself to the king of pours — The Macallan 18. Whether you're looking to impress on date night, host an elegant business affair or celebrate in style, this is an exclusive table and an evening you won’t forget. Book a private tasting for two to six guests, Tuesday to Saturday from 5 p.m., and immerse yourself in Yorkville’s most sophisticated peaty party.
