Best & Cool Bars in Toronto

"While not associated with the Toronto-born rapper of the same name, the Drake Hotel’s nightlife offerings are no less hip or happening. This boutique hotel is a hub for local events including concerts, DJs and multimedia art. The Drake’s basement venue, the Underground, hosts a rotating roster of dance parties, touring acts and cultural happenings like slam poetry nights."

"This arts-oriented, 19-room boutique hotel, originally a derelict apartment block, still maintains the high hip quotient it has enjoyed since it opened. A hit with both local and international creative types, it is a true Toronto cultural hub, covering all the travel basics — art, music, food and shopping."

"This next spot is definitely one of the most aesthetically pleasing patios on the list. From their exposed brick walls to their bright and airy feel, the spot is super Insta-worthy. Oh, and the food is pretty good too."

"Lavelle is our top pick for rooftop patio spots for two reasons, day and night. With a chill lounge vibe at night and a rooftop pool party vibe during the day you can sip on tasty drinks from the top of King West with an incredible view of the fashion district from above. This spot caters more so to a mix of young professionals and mature business professionals, so expect a diverse yet classy crowd."

"Lavelle’s got a pretty sweet rooftop patio if you’re feeling swanky. The restaurant sits 16 storeys high with a lounge bar, cabanas, and a massive outdoor pool. Their cocktails are great and the sushi is pretty dang good."

"Fresh fish and fine ingredients are used here to craft some of the tastiest sushi in Canada. As you eat, you can enjoy intimate conversations and fall deeper in love. Ambience wise, the industrial lighting fixtures and elegant black and white furniture contrasts the stark nature of the industrial lighting, and the result is something unique."

"Flame seared sushi, also known as aburi sushi is Miku Toronto’s speciality. They provide an extensive menu with a variety of platters and meal kits, to create the sushi experience at home. Available for delivery via Uber Eats."

"Located inside the always scenic Distillery Distinct, El Catrin’s large patio always feels like its hosting a party, though one that’s completely family friendly. The menu consists of both traditional and modern Mexican food, with the tacos having won a few awards. In addition to high chairs, El Catrin also offers a special menu for “little amigos."

"Is there anything more summery than a margarita and a giant bowl of guacamole?. Well, there probably are lots of things, but for the purpose of this article let's pretend that is it (I do have a word count, after all). El Catrin is located in the Distillery and the outdoor patio is a mixture of old world charm with modern touches."

"A post shared by Hello 123 (@hello123forever) on Dec 29, 2019 at 7:15am PST. The suave, mature sibling to ever-popular sister chain Kupfert & Kim, Hello 123 is a chic, minimalist spot on Queen West serving carefully-crafted, plant-based dishes and drinks. Kids will dive into pulled pineapple sliders, loaded sweet potatoes and heaving platters of veggie-crowned nachos."

"How many times have you gone out to brunch and been stuck eating the one token vegan item on the menu?. Hello123’s brunch/lunch menu offers a rich variety of clean, plant-based nosh any day of the week!. They’re experts in layering flavours for complex, colourful and delicious meals."

"It is fairly casual and requires no reservations & the options are endless!. There are tons of brunch and lunch options to fit all desires. In the summer months, there is also a patio to sit on which is very enjoyable."

"The Ivy Social Club is a stunning atmosphere of impeccable design that tantalizes the senses. A spectacular onyx-finished Bar with. Seafood Restaurants, Mediterranean Restaurants"

"There's no need to be alarmed because the Elmwood Spa is quite the opposite of a nightmare on Elm Street. Instead of a horror film you can’t wake up from, the spa is rather a luxurious, beautiful dream that you don’t want to wake from — you know, the ones that you usually have after watching a McDonald’s or Dairy Queen commercial."

"Modern urban life can be stressful, and every now and then we need to escape the demands of work, family, or social obligations and unwind. Fortunately, you don’t need to go far to get some much needed nurturing and renewal. Visit Elmwood Spa, a peaceful oasis located in a refined historic building in downtown Toronto."

"Her Father’s Cider Bar + Kitchen is such a cool spot in the Annex that deserves way more recognition. They serve farm-to-table dishes using local ingredients, and everything they make is just so incredibly delicious. The restaurant interior itself is rustic chic, and there’s a cool graffiti wall on the patio that makes for some Instagram-worthy shots."

"Her Father’s serves up all the cider you can dream of, plus plenty of amazing food. Choose from over 100 different ciders from around Ontario and the world alongside farm-to-table Canadian fare."

"Following the modified Phase 2 announcement, the Shangri-La opened their patio back up. Warm-up with a fall tipple Monday to Friday from 12 p.m."

"At 7 Baker, European and Asian flavours come together to create totally unique and delectable baked goods. With traditional European bread and pastry recipes infused with Asian flavours, this bakery is unlike anything you’ve ever laid eyes on. The shiny space features gold finishings that make the bakery gleam from the outside."

"Known for their banh mi croissant sandwiches, brioche loaves and delectable pastries, Butter Baker also dreams up some amazing soft serve flavours. You can expect flavours like Baker’s Tiramisu, Cassis x Vanilla and Guava x Vanilla. Their distinct cones can be spotted all over Instagram, regardless of the season."

"Butter Baker is located in downtown Toronto on Dundas Street West near Bay Street. The popular Toronto ice cream stop also has a location in Markham. Butter Baker Pastry Chefs Tina and Chef Lucas first opened their Dundas West bakery in 2017."

"The bakery offers a delightful collection of birthday and celebration cakes. Their ‘Baker’s Birthday Cake’ is the one of the most popular ones. It is a vanilla sponge cake with Madagascar vanilla frosting."

"A post shared by Go Tours Canada (@gotourscanada) on Mar 29, 2017 at 9:40am PDT. We know, it’s not quite beer, but Izumi Sake is definitely worth checking out. Located in the quaint Distillery District, this is North America’s first sake brewery."

"Why you need to go: Enhanced by Muskoka water, this sake comes in several different varieties. It is the very first sake brewery in eastern North America and is located in the historic Distillery District."

"Tucked away behind a row of houses on a dead-end street just off Queen East, Saulter is the east end’s best-kept beer secret. The brewery’s cherry-red barn doors open to a taproom full of happy beer drinkers, some with babes-in-arms (there’s plenty of stroller parking) or pups on leashes (it doesn’t get more dog friendly than this). The thing to get here is the flagship Riverside Copper Pilsner, a crushable Czech-style brew that’s a little bit malty, a little bit spicy and entirely refreshing."

"It takes effort to find this brewery – head all the way down its namesake residential street, then turn left onto a shady lane covered by spreading trees. What awaits: a small red-doored building outfitted with a no-frills taproom that lets in plenty of sunshine from the laneway. The Czech-style Riverside Copper Pilsner is the flagship beer here, but they’ve also begun branching out with options like a lightly tangy lime witbier."