Plenty of cafés and coffee shops around the city offer booze to attract the after-work crowd, but this hidden gem in the Financial District has adopted the day-to-night transition wholeheartedly. Despite being surrounded by many of the best downtown Toronto restaurants, if you blink, you’ll miss 11:59 Bar:Café, a cocktail lounge and café tucked away on a quiet strip of Temperance Street between Bay and York. Like the best bars in Toronto, it's serving some seriously impressive cocktails and light bites. I visit in the evening, and admittedly walk by the secluded entrance a few times before I stumble upon it.
11:59 Bar:Café: What’s the vibe?
Inside, it’s hard for me to put my finger on the moody space's design theme. Spotlights drip from the tall ceiling that’s writhing with white pipes; fairy lights reflect off a large, jagged mirror that glows with red mood lighting; orange and yellow chairs provide high-top seating; and a cozy couch lounge area is enrobed in colourful jungle cat stripes. There’s a jungle of greenery, too, growing everywhere from the back bar to the entryway. Overflowing bouquets of tropical flowers are additional eye-catching centrepieces throughout the spacious dining room.
There are a few professionals quietly shovelling down a late dinner while banging out after-hours work emails. In contrast, a few long tables are packed with lively groups that frequently erupt with laughter and conversation. Depending on where you sit, you can have either a low conversation with a date or a spirited catchup with a friend.
11:59 Bar:Café: What’s on the menu?
A step up from your average café-bar food, chef Samaysa Parkarm’s menu of international favourites are all elevated, restaurant-quality plates. As I’m here for dinner, I stick with the p.m. menu.
Divided between cold and hot eats, everything here is approachable and shareable. My friend and I start with the hummus and veggies with naan slices, and it’s nothing mind-blowing. We’re head-over-heels for the dynamite cauliflower, though — florets, coated in tempura, drip with a spicy dynamite sauce and soon we’re duelling over the last piece.
Things continue to get better with the beef tartare, topped with blobs of cilantro mayo, a mini sous-vide egg yolk and a whimsical parmesan crisp. It’s light and refreshing. My friend scoops burrata with oil-drizzled, crispy, toasted sourdough to round out the meal. Fresh figs on top provide a bright pop with each mouthful.
Have a lunch date? 11:59 Bar:Café's a.m. menu goes all-out with proteins like maple glazed salmon, roast chicken with mashed potatoes, or even devilled egg toast with smoked salmon.
11:59 Bar:Café: What’s on the drink menu?
We’re spoiled for choice when it comes to libations. There’s a small red and white wine list, each with three by-the-glass options; along with rosé; prosecco; beer; and non-alcoholic options. The craft cocktails are where it’s at, though.
Developed by bartender Yuki Tanaka with contributions by the 11:59 Bar:Café staff, the cocktail program is bold, with unique ingredients, and mostly all hits. The Vice Versa is a squeaky clean, soaking wet martini with lip-smackingly delicious basil oil drops and basil cordial. I prefer my martinis dry, but that doesn't stop my eyes from widening in joy at the herbaceous first sip of this tipple.
The 11:59 is a rye-based drink with a stiff egg-white foam crown. Delicate fruit flavours are lurking in the drink's depths, however, they get a bit lost in the foam’s powerful citrus-forward flavour. It’s still a light and tasty serve that I’d order again, though. Similarly, the Nightfall is a tiki riff with three types of rum, and armagnac, but its potent spiced orange syrup is what really steals the show.
Finally, the Mystic Fog lines up ingredients uncommon to spot in Toronto bars — like xtabentún, a Mexican honey liqueur, and mirto, a Sardinia-based berry liqueur — to become the ultimate sweet and spirit-forward showstopper.
If you’re in the need of a morning (or evening) caffeine fix, 11:59 Bar:Café serves coffee, espresso, lattes, matcha and more.
Whether you’re popping by for lunch, grabbing dinner with a friend, or seeking to sample some inventive cocktails on date night, 11:59 Bar:Café's day-to-night program has got you covered.
Dinner and drinks for two: around $100 before tax and tip
