The best bars in Toronto aren’t what they used to be. Over the last decade, we’ve watched Toronto’s bar scene grow up, from its juvenile days of vodka-crans and neon-hued martinis to its maturity as a world-class cocktail city, home to incredibly talented bartenders running great bars in Toronto.
It’s not all about cocktail bars in Toronto, though. The local craft beer scene is booming and the best bars in Toronto are paying attention. Taps that once poured imports now feature beer that’s made just down the street. And oenophiles don’t have to stick to Toronto wine bars to get their fill of local or rare bottles.
Torontonians have developed more discerning tastes. We want our drinking dens to match the high-calibre of the best restaurants in Toronto. With prices rising and cheap eats harder to find, it takes a lot more than a tasty beverage to get us out of the house. New Toronto restaurants and bars seem to be opening on the daily — it’s the bars with live music, a great atmosphere or an exceptional experience that draw us back again and again. We’re talking the coolest bars in Toronto.
Don't get us wrong — these aren't all froofy bars serving a glass of mismatched ingredients for complexity's sake. Rather, we've narrowed down the best bars in Toronto for delicious drinks, ambience and generally just a roaring good time. While some of the best bars in Toronto are shaking up cocktails made with local Ontario spirits and farm-fresh ingredients, others just hand over a canned concoction in a dimly-lit space that feels homier than home — and we love them all.
Whether you're in need of a down-to-earth drink to decompress after work or want to get dressed to the nines and sip on a gram-worthy creation, we've got the best bars in Toronto for any vibe.
The best bars in Toronto: Cocktail bars and lounges
1. Bar Banane
227A Ossington Ave.
When the bar manager is Jacob Martin, World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2023, it’s hard not to go into Bar Banane with the loftiest of cocktail expectations: They deliver and then some. From the tequila-, rooibos- and whey-infused Strawberry Fields Forever to the umami-packed Grand Banane, with miso, marsala and an eight-year old rum, the cocktails here are memory-makers.
At around $20 a pop, libations are priced similarly to many you’ll find around the city, but the level of artistry and cocktail wizardry is head and shoulders above the rest. The moody speakeasy vibes at this bar above sister spot, La Banane, only add to the experience. Nibble on Duck Croquettes and Nova Scotia Lobster Croustade while you sip at the bar, and if Martin is around, bend the charming mixologist’s ear for endless pearls of wisdom.
2. Cry Baby Gallery
1468 Dundas St. W.
Cocktails are equal parts art and science, and no place represents this glorious combination better than Dundas West's Cry Baby Gallery. To passersby, it looks like a pocket-sized art gallery, and it is. However, behind the back display wall is an alluring speakeasy with lighting so good we only want to be photographed in there from now on, thank you.
If your life could use a little more razzle-dazzle, pull up a barstool and swoon over clever concoctions with cheeky names like the Woodbridge Athletic Club — their minty-fresh take on an espresso martini. Sip on anything from signature cocktails with house-made syrups to low-intervention wines. As for the snacks, it's what we'd expect at any cool artist's loft: light snacks like cured sausage, taralli crackers and olives.
3. Bar Pompette
607 College St.
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Pompette has slowly been taking over two blocks of College Street with its French-Italian eatery Vinoteca Pompette, Bakery Pompette and our favourite middle child, Bar Pompette. Inside, the white-washed brick and wainscoting envelope a charming French bistro atmosphere with a nice amount of natural light from the front windows.
But behind this Toronto bar is one of the city’s best and most secret patios. The back-garden oasis is as romantic as they come, with string lights, greenery and whole trees growing out of breaks in the stone tiles. Linger a while over exceptional cocktails that made us let out a deep sigh after the first sip. OK, fine, it was a moan.
Bar Pompette leverages their relationships with local farmers for incredibly fresh, seasonal ingredients that take their tipples to a gastronomic level. A couple small bites like bread and olives will satiate if you get pekish.
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Read more4. Prequel and Co.
1036 Queen St. W.
One of the coolest bars we’ve ever stepped inside, Prequel and Co. Apothecary’s mystique intoxicates you well before you’ve imbibed a single beverage. The deep-blue faux storefront off Queen West opens up into an ornately decorated space, styled like an Art Nouveau-era Parisian apothecary, the historical dispensaries credited with the birth of modern cocktail culture.
Bartenders sporting tightly knotted bow-ties and smart white suits spin around behind the bar, mixing tipples with expert precision. Prequel’s méthode classique approach takes cocktails back to their roots by stripping away theatrics in favour of freshness. Spices are ground with cast-iron mortar and pestles, herbs are muddled and citrus squeezed à la minute (to order). The result is a menu of complex drinks primed for slow sipping and savouring, that aren’t afraid to let their base spirits shine. You can even enjoy absinthe, served traditionally (with ice-cold water dripped over a sugar cube). Order French share plates, like escargot or cheesy gougerès, from the hors d’oeuvres menu to snack on.
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Read more5. XXX
102 Portland St.
This hidden, funky and award-winning underground drinking den below Dutch-Indo restaurant Little Sister wows with its experimental tipples. Think cocktails with black garlic-infused vodka, buttermilk and white chocolate, or actual black ants. Not to be outdone by the libations, the bar bites — from the Little Sister kitchen — are a playground of big flavours and satisfying textures. With only 16 seats available, and no reservations, it can be tricky to get a seat at XXX; if you’re lucky enough to be awarded a special playing card from the upstairs host, you can duck under the neon “XXX” sign and enter the moody space.
6. Cocktail Bar
923 Dundas St. W.
As the name suggests, Jen Agg’s Cocktail Bar is exactly that. You won’t find wine or beer, just cocktails (and mocktails) that are far more inventive than this spot’s name. The menu changes fairly often, but you can expect a range of spirits and unexpected flavour combinations. Tables are almost too close together in the compact space, but that just adds to the Toronto bar’s homey charm. Glass country cabinets stocked with bottles, wainscoting covering the ceiling and a white subway tile accent wall make Cocktail Bar feel like a millennial’s kitchen. Outside, there’s a small, tropical-themed side patio and a front sidewalk patio with a perfect view of the romantic “I love you, still” graffiti that’s always re-painted onto the white brick building.
7. Goodnight Cocktail Club
488 Wellington St. W.
When Goodnight Cocktail Club moved into the former Cloak Bar space, it had big shoes to fill. The speakeasy under Marben had been a go-to Toronto bar for excellent cocktails served in a moody, Prohibition-era haunt. While Goodnight Cocktail Club still maintains that dimly lit, speakeasy vibe, it’s toned down the old-timey aesthetic. Now filled with loads of dark wood paneling; a bead curtain bathroom entrance; granny-chic floral booths and dainty light fixtures; and the eye-catching ovular, mirrored, glowing backbar, the space has been brought into the 70s and feels decidedly more relaxed.
And the cocktails? Better than we could have imagined. The list isn’t long, but every tipple at this Toronto bar is brimming with creativity, unique ingredients and delicious flavours. If you’re having trouble deciphering the menu, ask your server — they’ll recommend something based on the profile you’re after. Small plates like stuffed dates and shrimp cocktail are on offer, too.
8. Civil Liberties
878 Bloor St. W.
When David Huynh, Nick Kennedy and Cole Stanford opened Civil Liberties in 2014, they were ahead of the city’s current speakeasy obsession. Renowned for its friendly, yet upscale demeanor, the Bloorcourt haunt has shaped Toronto’s cocktail scene over the years — a decade later, they’re one of the most awarded bars in the city. (For two years straight, they’ve been crowned the Best Bar in Canada by North America’s 50 Best Bars.)
By now, you know the drill; there’s no menu at this Toronto bar, so come prepared to share your drink preferences, favourite tipple or even the mood you’re in to direct the bartenders towards crafting you the perfect beverage. Your drink is in good hands; the Civil Liberties staff are well-versed in experimenting with unfamiliar ingredients, or twisting classics into something new and whimsical.
Spirit connoisseurs who know their stuff will have their socks knocked off by unexpected flavours; guests searching for something tasty might just find themselves presented with the most delicious drink they’ve ever sipped.
Pair it with brisket croquettes, bánh mì or shrimp toast ordered right to your table from neighbouring Vietnamese restaurant, Vit Beo.
9. Le Tigre
1060 Yonge St. Second Floor
Some of Toronto’s most creative veterans are behind the cocktail program at Le Tigre, a neon pink martini bar in the Rosedale neighbourhood. Head to this mixologist mecca inside a historical building above a piano shop, where the team behind Cry Baby Gallery are crafting elegant cocktails with cheeky names like Ashley Madison and Señor Spielberg.
Sample the martini menu, ranging from dirty and lychee versions of the classic, to crème de cacao and bianco vermouth additions in The Alaska. In classic martini bar fashion, the drinks are strong and the snacks (unless you count martini olives?) are absent, so line your stomach before a visit.
10. Bar Mordecai
1272 Dundas St. W.
There's something inherently nostalgic about a hotel lobby when you think about all the people who have come and gone and the stories they unpack during their stay. The conceptual Bar Mordecai on Dundas West evokes this exact wistful grandeur from the hotel lobbies of yesteryear.
Inspired by the gorgeous, imaginative sets of Wes Anderson's films, every detail in this fanciful bar has been thoughtfully chosen, from the bubble-gum-pink bar, to fairytale scenes covering the mirrors like ivy, and the hand-picked vintage furniture. The same care and creativity go into their cocktails, developed by co-owner Christina Veira. Many of these crushable concoctions are takes on hotel lobby classics like the Royal Old Fashioned which uses rum instead of whisky.
Recently, the food program has been transformed into a menu of Middle Eastern-inspired snack plates like cauliflower fatteh and harissa devilled eggs with a handful larger options like grilled branzino and roasted bone marrow.
11. Simpl Things
269 Dunn Ave.
Evelyn Chick’s cozy, colourful Parkdale day-to-night haunt opened two years ago, and Toronto fell in love with its stripped back, “simpl” approach to drinks and snack plates. Last year, it took home Campari’s One To Watch Award at North America’s 50 Best Bars. Simpl Things will close for two weeks in September to renovate its space and refresh its concept, and we have no doubt we’ll love what Chick is cooking up next.
12. Grey Tiger
1190 Bloor St W.
Like the grey tiger itself, a high-quality, neighbourhood cocktail bar with solid sips and great vibes is a rare thing to find. Luckily, this “cozy-chic” cocktail bar and bottle shop in the Bloorcourt neighbourhood delivers on all fronts.
Grey Tiger’s menu provides a handy scale for each of their signature creations, so you can vacillate between refreshing and spiritous, and choose how approachable or adventurous you want your cocktail to be. With ingredients like coconut kefir and black tea calvados, you can expect some interesting and experimental flavour profiles — and don’t miss their epic boozy slushies. However, classics like martinis and manhattans can also be enjoyed in their beautiful space or backyard oasis.
13. Marked
132 John St.
This sprawling downtown Toronto bar boasts five different dining areas, with bars, lounges and the main dining room. Wherever you sit, you’ll be treated to Marked’s eye-popping décor and South American flare. The cocktail list leans heavy on the tequila, but rum, gin and pisco are represented too. Bring friends to this lively spot to indulge in group cocktails or bottle service from the late-night menu.
Don’t sleep on Marked as a full-blown dinner destination though — the South American plates like corn ribs and ceviche slap. Marked’s bottomless brunch with unlimited snack plates and mimosas is another killer draw.
14. Bar Ardo
169 King St. E.
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The folks behind Ardo and Dova are bringing a slice of Sicily to Corktown with their newest outpost, Bar Ardo. Here you’ll find small plates with big flavours, and a cocktail list that’s as favourable to its non-alcoholic guests as it is to those imbibing. Based on the travels of wife-and-husband team Jacqueline Nicosia and chef Roberto Marotta, Bar Ardo sprinkles global inspiration into the food and beverage menu at every turn. Our favourite cocktail is the Pina, a showstopping spin on a sour that blends grilled pineapples with pink peppercorn.
15. Mother Cocktail Bar
874 Queen St. W.
Sneak behind a conspicuous wooden slat wall on Queen West and you’re transported into the mother of all drinking dens where a world of wonder, whimsy and fermentation awaits. Inside, incandescent Edison lightbulbs hang from suspended wood beams. Beneath them, the matte-black bar top glows with creations that transcend everything you think you know about cocktails. Pickled black garlic? With candy cap mushroom? In a drink? Only, the ingenious minds of Mother Cocktail Bar could make a combo like that taste divine.
Downstairs, kombucha scobys and lacto-fermenting fruit bubble in a scientist-esque cellar, bringing new dimensions of flavour and complexity to the serves upstairs. The rotating drink menu is divided into different themes, including a barrel-aging program that sees classic cocktails rested for up to six weeks before serving.
If you ever feel overwhelmed down this sensory rabbit hole, the friendly staff are all too happy to guide you. Or, go for the Bespoke Cocktail Experience and try something completely unique (and pair it with their lip-smacking chuck, brisket and short rib burger).
16. BarChef
472 Queen St. W.
Over a decade ago, before foodies were even talking about mixology and well before his Netflix fame, Frankie Solarik paved the way for a new cocktail culture that this city couldn't even imagine yet. BarChef was born and Toronto's bar scene has never been the same. Today, Solarik continues to approach his libations program with a penchant for flair, ingenuity and razor-sharp precision. Every part of the BarChef experience — and an experience, it truly is — is fine-tuned to perfection.
The cocktails here look like they could be on display at a modern art museum. It's not just dry-ice smoke and mirrors — the creations in their acclaimed, multi-sensorial Modernist Series are fanciful showpieces decked out like mini, intricate sets. You'll know when the table beside you orders a drink from the equally magnificent Parfumerie Series; these drinks feature entrancing aromas that often permeate throughout the entire drinking den.
We could spend all night staring at the stunning, see-through, hand-cut ice, let alone all the beautiful details, aromas and ingredients that go into each Michelin-star-worthy drink. While many of the tipples are served with an edible component, there's a menu of tasty small plates that pair perfectly with your meal of a cocktail.
17. Electric Bill
866 Bloor St. W.
Capitalizing on the success of their OG award-winning Bloorcourt location, the Civil Liberties team has been busy growing a small empire of excellent Toronto bars. One of the newest is Electric Bill, an Australian-inspired spot that opened on Bloor in early 2024.
Helmed by Aussie-Canadian and Civil Liberties alum, Casey Ryan, along with Nick Kennedy and Dave Huynh, it’s serving a slice of the bar culture from the land down under. Electric Bill is a love letter to the Australian bar scene, evident in everything from the wallpaper emblazoned with cockatoos and koalas; the platypus mascot; and the drinks, named after cheeky Australian slang; to the friendly bartenders that treat you like a good friend as soon as you step through the doors.
Ryan’s cocktails are a masterclass in mixology — he’s not afraid to use eyebrow-raising ingredients like tomato water, corn tea and fermented chili to develop deliciously forward-thinking drinks. There’s a menu of small plates, too, with plenty of vegan options.
18. Lulu Bar
427 Wellington St. W.
Despite all its diversity, Toronto’s roster of Polynesian and Pacific-inspired restaurants is pretty sparse. Lulu Bar Toronto — the second location from the Calgary brand — fills the void with exceedingly good bites and beverages that go well beyond the tiki gimmicks.
Enjoy Hawaiian faves like loco moco and a burger featuring grilled Spam and beef chuck, alongside balanced and beautiful cocktails. We loved the unusual but addictive flavours in the Fever Dream, with coconut rum, cachaça and lychee; and the Smooth Operator, featuring cognac, nigori sake, banana and black sesame.
Take advantage of Honolulu Happy Hour, every day from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., when all beverage prices are slashed in half and a selection of items are available at snack-friendly prices.
19. Clockwork Champagne & Cocktails
100 Front St. W.
Even if the old world glamour and historic setting of the storied Fairmont Royal York’s lobby bar were not a factor, James Grant's cocktails at Clockwork would be well worth the price of admission. What the director of mixology doesn’t know about cocktails isn’t worth knowing, and Grant is a savant with everything from a seemingly straightforward manhattan to more complex libations (with ingredients that you might have to Google). From piña colada spin-offs to clarified concoctions, every cocktail tells a story. Meet Me At The Clock, with a spherical frosé ice cube that keeps melting and intensifying as you drink, might be our death row tipple of choice. It’s a hotel bar, but our love for Clockwork is anything but fleeting.
20. Rhum Corner
926 Dundas St. W.
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Rum often gets the short end of the spirit stick. Not at Rhum Corner though, where it's put on grand display and gets the attention it deserves. "It's hard to use the word 'cool' without feeling like a douche, but that's the concept," reads their website, and we're inclined to agree. Jen Agg's petite watering hole serves up bevvies loaded with the good stuff alongside Haitian bites. The Zombie cocktail doesn't even have its ingredients listed because there are too many. You must try their house blend spiced rhum, and their rhum punch is the city's best. They don't take reservations, so walk in, stay awhile, then float on home (or across the street, to Agg's much-lauded Cocktail Bar, for a nightcap).
21. Reyna on King
354 King St. E.
Escape to the Aegean with Mediterranean bites and bright cocktails in this airy, sunlight-filled space on King near Parliament. Settle in amongst the white brick walls and the tropical forest of lush greenery that hangs from the ceiling, and dig into dishes like grilled halloumi cheese souvlaki, chargrilled octopus and lamb baklava (a must-try). Alongside a list of classic cocktails, you’ll also find house creations like the Princess Jasmine's Kiss with bourbon, peach pistachio syrup (yum) and more pistachios, for good measure. The wine list offers a curated selection with several options by-the-glass.
22. Compton Ave.
1282 Dundas St. W.
Compton Ave. is the latest moody, London, U.K.-inspired joint cooked up by Frankie Solarik, and naturally, the cocktail menu doesn’t disappoint. There are several excellent twists on the martini — our favourite is the fruit-forward Nottinghill, with plum wine and grapefruit. Enjoy them for only $12 every day of the week except Monday between 6–8 p.m. plus classics like the London Fog and Mayfair Sour, balanced booze-free drinks and a rotating selection of signature draught tipples. Small bites are all English-inspired, too, like Scotch egg with sage and onion-stuffed pork, and tender beef cheek mixed into cottage pie croquettes.
The best bars in Toronto: Experiential escapes
23. Mahjong Bar
1276 Dundas St. W.
Hidden behind a glowing pink bodega with no signage except a Mahjong tile marker overhead, Dundas West's original speakeasy is pretty well-known by now, but still gives us a thrill every time we "discover" the entrance. You can start or end your night here. Through the keyhole-shaped doorway, you’ll find a neon-lit bar with retro Hong Kong-style décor and a 36-foot mural painted by Toronto artist Gabriella Lo. Arrive in the evening if you want to dig into their menu of duck pancakes, noodles and peking ribs or come late for DJs spinning hip-hop beats and a dance-y vibe. The cocktail list is short n' sweet, and all hits (and yes, there's an espresso martini). We love the not-too-smoky Tame Impala, with mezcal and a hint of baking spice. Pro tip: Keep an eye on their Instagram for special events.
24. The Shameful Tiki Room
1378 Queen St. W.
Overflowing with kitschy decor, this vintage tiki bar in Parkdale is one-of-a-kind in Toronto. Stepping inside feels like we’ve stumbled onto a Pirates of the Caribbean set; everything from dangling pufferfish lights, palm trees, and fishing nets to wooden boat wheels immerse you in a nautical atmosphere. Classic rum-soaked sippers take up the bulk of the drink menu, often with cheeky presentations (the Pain Killer is served in a coconut milk can, and the Tiki Puka Puka in a bowl adorned with an edible flower). If you’re with friends, order one of the shareable The Bowls — if you get the Volcano, prepare for a special “eruption” show as servers bring it to your table. The chow is all easygoing beachside tiki shack snacks, like crab rangoon, kimchi grilled cheese or mochiko chicken.
25. Bar Raval
505 College St.
It’s approaching a decade since Grant van Gameren opened the ambitious Bar Raval on College Street, but the Barcelonian beauty, designed by local firm Partisans, feels every bit as fresh today. Scalloped wood panels undulate along the bar and the ceiling, while bottles peek out of alcoves and patterned windows let in slithers of light, giving the impression that you’re in a Gaudi-inspired fun house — albeit, one with a fantastic selection of vermouth and sherry. The food and drink menu is designed to complement one another and, in entirely un-North American fashion, there’s little in the way of table service. Grab a spot around a vacant barrel, get your lean on and enjoy rum cocktails with dark chocolate, and bright scotch–yuzu numbers prepping your palate for grilled octopus and their famous Kitchen Bread. One more glass of Spanish fizz and, suddenly, those legs aren’t aching quite as much…
26. Offworld
739 Queen St. W. 2nd Floor
This outer-space-themed Toronto bar is worth orbiting a trip to the city around. Offworld goes to great lengths to immerse you in an interstellar experience, and mostly pulls it off. Brilliant blue and purple LEDs line the walls, and flat-screen TVs display dazzling landscapes to make you feel like you’re amongst the stars. A few real-life holograms are scattered around the bar, a ferocious rancor head emerges from the wall (a nod to the larger versions at Storm Crow Manor) and laser blasters lean against liquor bottles, but the decor isn’t overdone. The plush couches, tasteful design touches, ample seating and spacious bar make sure you know the spaceship you’re on is a luxurious one.
Indulgent bites like arancini, AAA chimichurri steak, braised short ribs and port-glazed steak tartare dominate Offworld’s food menu, while cocktails are out-of-this-world spectacles. Tamarind Time Warp mixes pineapple-lychee juice with tamarind-date paste, and is served in a dangling beaker dangling; and Tribble’s Revenge — a huge glassful of cotton candy and a bewitching mix of rum, juice, liqueur and wine — is pure space-carnival fun. The ‘Experiential’ section of the menu goes further, featuring drinks with a real meteorite shard, or a pair of headphones to listen to the menacing sounds of a black hole as you sip.
27. Coffee Oysters Champagne
214 King St. W.
When it first opened, this cutesy bar only offered its three namesake items, done really well. Since then, they’ve expanded to offer a full menu, but you’ll still find an exceptional selection of champagne and sparkling by the glass, along with oysters naked or fully dressed with flavour combinations like strawberry compote, basil, pink peppercorn and sparkling wine.
We can’t name a classier combo than champagne and oysters, but if you’re in need of real sustenance, tuck into dishes like tuna tartare, bacon-stuffed dates and hot fried chicken. Skip the post-bar McDonald’s run and head here for a late-night menu with alcohol-absorbing poutine and a banquet burger. The cocktails are creative and there’s a whole section of espresso martinis. If the bright pink interior is too sweet, ask to see the champagne room and you’ll find yourself in the Prohibition-era speakeasy, À Toi, where things are a little more spicy.
28. Storm Crow Manor
580 Church St.
Finally Star Wars fans and Trekkies can put their differences aside at this delightfully nerdy bar that caters to Sci-Fi, fantasy and comic book lovers of all kinds. From the decked-out décor down to the list of drinks straight out of our favourite movies, Storm Crow Manor is an experience. Sip on a Romulan Ale or The Mango-lorian while you bask in the orange glow of the Cyberpunk Lounge or feel like a science experiment in the Mary Shelley bar. There are three stories of strange and fantastical rooms to explore. When it comes to everyone’s favourite part of the night (shots!), roll the D20 die to determine which of 20 random shooters you’ll get. And if all that wasn’t enough to keep you entertained, they’ve got board games, too.
29. The Dive Shop
1036 Gerrard St. E.
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The last time we were at The Dive Shop, we had a blast. Electric-blue booths, palm tree decor, a back patio with swings and sand — the Leslieville locale is the city escape we need. Plus, the margaritas are fire (the coconut marg is our fave). If you're looking for a fun, easy-breezy bar night with your besties or a boo, get into daily Dive Shop specials, a cocktail tower or good ol' classics like a dark and stormy. The Dive Shop is open until 2 a.m., five nights a week, and you can always expect great drinks and island vibes no matter what's going on outside.
The best bars in Toronto: Cheap bars and casual spots
30. Big Trouble
460 Dundas St. W. 2nd floor
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Head through an unassuming door in Chinatown and up a flight of stairs, and you’ll find Big Trouble, a hotspot for pan-Asian bites and reasonably priced cocktails. Come early for crispy, golden tofu; and crunchy Tiger Beer Popcorn Chicken; and a heaping pile of cheeseburger dumplings. Stay late for easy drinking cocktails (hello, lychee mojito), sake, soju and dance parties in the cool, back-alley-atmosphere decked out in red lanterns, keyhole doorways and neon dragons.
31. Bar Poet
1090 Queen St. W.
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Step inside this dimly-lit West Queen West haunt and you’ll immediately feel like you’ve stepped outside — and onto the patio of one of Italy’s cobblestone alleyway restaurants. String lights twinkle overhead, hanging from faux trees that run the length of the restaurant. On tap, they’ve got several local brews (including their own honey beer, lager, cider and IPA) along with a red and white wine. There are more available by the glass or bottle, too. Cocktails range from the classics to house creations like the Perfect Pear with pear cognac, green apple and apricot liqueur, poached pear syrup and lambrusco. The pizzas here are just as creative — our fave is the Microdose with garlic cream sauce, mushrooms and caramelized onions.
32. Pennies
127 Strachan Avenue
This famous Liberty Village neighbourhood spot is everything we love in a bar wrapped up into one. In today’s economy, Pennies’s $7 bar rail is akin to discovering a unicorn. If you’re pregaming, throat-burning Wild Turkey shots are $3 and get the job done quick. Grab a basket of free popcorn, snack on food that will satisfy any drunk cravings (tater tots, sliders and tacos), play a game of darts or shuffleboard and bask in the lively atmosphere.
33. Communist’s Daughter
1149 Dundas St. W.
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If you’re looking for molecular mixology and cocktail garnishes that are hazardous to your eyesight, keep on walking past this Dundas West watering hole. However, if you’re in the mood for Saturday afternoon jazz in one of the coziest enclaves in the city, clear your calendar and just hang ten at this irresistibly cool dive bar. Legendary bartender Michael Louis Johnson is just as likely to spin you a yarn as he is to pick up his trumpet (catch jazz manouche in the back alley in summer months). Order a Campari soda, snag a seat at one of the Formica tables, and continue to slot your coins into the vintage jukebox as day turns to dusk.
34. Pinkerton’s Snack Bar
1026 Gerrard St. E.
Little India wasn’t always the hip pocket of Toronto it is today, but thanks to Marc Baglio, Andy Wilson and Adam Graham’s triumvirate of Gerrard Street bars, it’s one of our favourite hoods. We love Poor Romeo’s sports bar vibes, and Vatican Gift Shop is the best place for a boogie if you’re on the wrong side of 30 (and TERRIFIED of King Street) — but it’s Pinkerton’s Snack Bar that has us feeling sentimental. Named after a Weezer song, this Asian-inspired, late-night spot has a neighbourhood feel. Sidle up to the bar and order a paper plane over the alt-rock din, then snack on crispy salt and pepper tofu and a duo of bao buns (there are seven to choose from).
35. Get Well
1181 Dundas St. W.
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A reprieve from Ossington’s often sky-high prices, Get Well on Dundas West guarantees a great time without breaking the bank. The vibes are always right; from the smattering of colourful lights and chandeliers reflecting off a disco ball, to the vintage arcade and pinball machines and North of Brookyln counter tucked away in the back. The draught list is scribbled on an illuminated board behind the bar; familiar local faces, like Left Field, Burdock and Blood Brothers, are often on tap. Bring your friends, chow down on some ‘za and sip cheap brews until the wee morning hours.
36. Reposado
136 Ossington Ave.
In our youth, tequila may have been synonymous with too many shots, but there’s much more to this complex spirit — and Reposado, a dive-y bar on Ossington, is just the place to rediscover it. Known for their very impressive, extensive tequila collection, Reposado’s list covers all the bases: blanco, reposado (natch), añejo, extra añejo, mezcal and sotol. Sample a selection with one of more than a dozen flight options. For something a little tamer, tequila is also the star of their cocktail menu. Sip on a margarita or paloma while you chomp fresh fish or beef tacos on their adorable back patio.
37. The Caledonian
856 College St.
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Whisky aficionados, listen up. College Street’s The Caledonian is an understated Scottish pub that boasts an eye-poppingly massive list of single malts to sip — over 600, in fact. If a selection of that size is a bit intimidating, they offer half-ounce tasting flights that range from $26 to $190. There are whisky cocktails, too and a menu of authentic Scottish eats (yes, they have haggis). Soccer games are regularly played on a projector, but it’ll take a big goal to pull your attention away from the libations you’ll be enjoying here.
38. The Hole in the Wall
2867A Dundas St. W.
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Aptly named The Hole in the Wall, this Junction stalwart’s entrance is tucked away in an enclave. Inside, the charming neighbourhood watering hole is as long and narrow as they come. Sixteen taps showcase Canadian craft beer, with local favourites like Collective Arts, Muskoka and Great Lakes represented. We visit for the cocktails and late-night snacks, though. The menu changes often, but expect to find crowd-pleasing handhelds and pizza alongside duck wings and paté. They have oyster deals, a famous Sunday roast and live music, too. If you can’t snag a spot in the walk-in only bar, try their sister spot Botham’s next door.
39. Bar Volo
17 St. Nicholas St.
If you’re looking for an effortlessly cool place to take out-of-towners, this is up there with the chicest drinking dens. Bar Volo, whose brick and olive green exterior can be found down an alley off Wellesley, feels like that European hole in the wall you stumbled on all those years ago on your best vacation. With a unique lineup of weird and wonderful imported wines of the red, white and funkier variety; extensive cask ales listed on the wall above the bar; and an artfully decorated space consisting of reclaimed doors, chairs and light fixtures, it’s hard to believe that Bar Volo had a former life. (In 2016, the 28-year old drinking establishment was evicted from the corner of Yonge and Dundonald to make way for a condo.) The cocktail list is inspired by Italian aperitivos.
40. Melrose on Adelaide
270 Adelaide St. W.
One of the best bars for a first date in the city, Melrose's casual menu and sultry candlelit atmosphere never disappoint. Melrose is dimly lit enough that you're guaranteed to look like a snack while you snack on their tasty Mediterannean bites (even if you couldn't quite get your hair right today). There's a daily happy hour, from 2–6 p.m; buck-a-shuck oysters on Sundays; and half-price wine bottles on Wednesdays. If your date has dietary restrictions, there's even an entirely plant-based charcuterie board to pick at while you flirt; hearty plates, like burrata and chicken kebab, are easy to share.
