This list of Toronto bars was originally created in 2025 as we welcomed a lot of new faces visiting the city for the Diageo World Class Global finals. It was meant as a list of bars that we recommend. These recommendations are of our own opinion and experiences and we have continuously updated this list since then. Please don’t be offended if we have left anyone off – we are just doing our best with what we are capable of. We love Toronto and we want all of you to love it as well! We all know that what make a bar truly great are the people that work there so we have included some faces to look out for should you visit these spots.
If you are new to visiting Toronto, we have some tips for you over at the Toronto Cocktail Conference website here.
xo Jess & Josh
DOWNTOWN
Little Sister – Dutch Indonesian food which is excellent. Great drinks and they have a “speakeasy” bar in the basement called XXX that only holds like 10 people. XXX is only open Thursdays to Saturdays. Rum guy Robin Wynne runs the program here and the infamous H bartends at XXX.
Library Bar and Clockwork – two excellent bars located in the Fairmont Royal York. James Grant runs the bar program and he has a great team of people working at these bars including Jessie Chi, Nick Incretolli, Riley Patterson, Sébastien Lagrange and Joe Dorio.
416 Snack Bar – one of the best, more “local” feeling bar. Go visit Abbie Rudson here. 416 is the birthplace of the Toronto shot called a Blackbird.
Short Turn – 416 Snack Bar’s little sister that is just around the corner.
CivilWorks – located in the Waterworks food hall on the second floor. This bar has a water program.
Evangeline – pretty bar at the top of the Ace Hotel. TOTC Black Coat Aaron Hatchell is the bar manager. You’ll also find Chelsea Alexis Harry on the bar here.
Shameful Tiki Room – they recently moved to this location and we love it! Alana Nogueda and her team here is wonderful including bar manager Lisa Lascoste and bartender Masazumi Kobata.
PARKDALE/QUEEN STREET WEST
The Virginia – A real “bar bar” – this beauty just opened in March 2026 and is owned by Joel Savoie (Civil Liberties, Pretty Ugly). You’ll find Simon Taggart (Bar Pompette) and João Machado on the bar.
Simpl Things – It’s open daytime and nighttime and the menu flips for each. Amazing cocktails and amazing non-alc options. Delicious food. Evelyn Chick is the owner and you can find Tenika Bennett on the bar.
Pharmacy – great dive bar
Drake Hotel – many options for food and drink. The cafe patio is wonderful in warm weather and the Sky Yard is great for evening drinks. Angelina Smith works here (and she also helps us with our monthly event, Independent Study Day!)
Food & Liquor – they have both! This is our local.
Three Dollar Bill – a great Queer bar where they are always up to fun events. Meaghan Murray is one of the owners.
OSSINGTON AVENUE
Bar Koukla – the dreamiest food and good wine.
Gift Shop – tiny bar across the street from Koukla and is located behind a barber shop. Gift Shop has recently changed hands to have Matt Allinson in charge. Go see Tina Huang here.
No Vacancy – There are some very tasty drinks – and food here.
222 Bar – This place goes from neighbourhood bar to party bar real quick.
The Communist’s Daughter – a Toronto classic and also very tiny.
Paris Paris – cool wine bar with food
Reposado – a tequila/agave-focused bar that has been around before many of the other bars and restaurants opened on Ossington. They often have live music.
DUNDAS STREET WEST
Milou – a cute French place, open during the day as well as at night
Bar Mordecai – good food and drink plus they have karaoke! Christina Veira is an owner plus other greats work here like Julia Choi.
Cry Baby Gallery – The bar is located behind an art gallery that always has great art on display. Rob Granicolo is one of the owners. They have another great bar uptown called Le Tigre.
Swan Dive – great dive bar
Cocktail Bar – excellent drinks and they have been around for a long while!
Rhum Corner – across the street from Cocktail Bar. Haitian food and lots of rum!
Archive Wine Bar – all the wine!
Montauk Bar – A great bar owned by Christopher McCrabb.
Uh Bar – Go here and order their Vodka Soda or Gin Fizz. Trust us on this. (Oh and ignore their “temporarily closed” on Google – check their Instagram for opening hours.
COLLEGE STREET
Sneaky Dee’s – a Toronto INSTITUTION. Go for late night eats and drinks. Order the nachos (we highly recommend the Queen’s Crown!). Thank us later.
Bar Raval – open during the day as well as at night. Barcelona style tapas and great drinks, wine, vermouths, sherry. Plus it’s goshdang beautiful. Find Bex Figueiredo (they just won the MICHELIN Guide Toronto & Region 2025 Exceptional Cocktails Award!), John Hume and James McCole here.
Bar Pompette – walking distance from Bar Raval. In 2025 they were ranked as the number 1 bar in Canada. Their bar team includes Tim Rodrigues.
Suite 115 – A little bar that could. These guys are pumping out some great drinks. Oliver Leung is one of the owners and you can find Corey Evans on the bar.
BLOOR STREET WEST
Civil Liberties – a no menu bar that is always a fun time. An industry favourite. They have a few red scarves hanging around. Their team includes Samantha Fulmer, Tristan Joseph, Kyle Wilkinson, Mike Dojcsak and Yazdan Kahlaee. Nick Kennedy is one of the owners.
Electric Bill – An Australian-themed bar. Here you will find Aussies Casey Ryan and Jaymee Hejduk plus Katarina Weltner
Shrinking Violet – a cute cocktail bar
Paradise Grapevine – they have two locations – one on Bloor Street and one further north on Geary. They specialise in making really good natural wine.
JUNCTION
Doc’s Green Door Lounge – when they first opened, we told everyone that this was our new favourite Toronto bar. They do everything well here. It is a bar being a bar and it’s wonderful. Nicholas Elliott runs the bar here.
Updated August 4th, 2026
