We feel pretty fortunate to live in Toronto. We both moved here in the late 90’s and have seen the city continuously evolve and alter throughout the years/decades. While Toronto is the 4th largest city in North America, we are a fairly young city in terms of cocktail culture. Decent cocktail bars only began really being popularized in the mid-2000s. Being so close to New York City meant that a lot of what happened here, had already taken place there years prior. However, in the past 6 years or so, Toronto is really getting more of an identity as a cocktail destination. We have great bars that offer you a great range of all the things. Meaning, there is always something for anyone and everyone. In the past year plus, there have been a bunch of new bars opening that are pushing on greatness and that has us excited. So with that, here is where we’re drinking in Toronto – the new bars.
UH BAR. Uh Bar started opening in August 2025 on a street crowded with bars ranging from dives to classy vegan eateries. It has been a while since we have been this impressed with a new bar in Toronto. Uh Bar is tucked away in a basement. As you head downstairs the room may feel like it’s not finished being built yet, and that’s because its not. Since opening, they have been making changes to Uh in thoughtful ways, through seeing how guests – and the bartenders – use the space. They are continuously improving. During our visit on a cold Sunday night before 8pm, the bar seats were full which is always a good sign of a good bar. Their current menu includes their takes on classic cocktails. We were pushed into trying the Vodka Soda and Gin Fizz – not necessarily drinks that we would normally choose – and we were not mad about it. At all. These drinks were good and we can see why they are the most popular at Uh.
Why we like it: There is no other bar in Toronto that looks like this space. It felt nice to be transported somewhere new. By basing their whole menu on familiar drinks, they’ve made the creativity of their bartenders accessible.
NO VACANCY. Once upon a time, Ossington Ave between Queen and King was a great place to find (totally legal) poker games and some of the best styrofoam cup calibre coffee in the city. In last two decades though, this stretch has grown to include some of the best bars in the city. No Vacancy is a relatively new addition and they have made cocktails and their service unmissable if you are in the city. Leaning heavily into both traditional Pan-Asian ingredients and modern bartending technologies they have assembled an incredible cocktail list. General Manager Troy Gilchrist is a Toronto bar journeyman and seeing him have full reign over a menu suits him. The team is professional and engaging and mostly, the room itself ieels nice.
Why we like it: Many of the bars on Ossington out the vibe or concept first and the drinks come in later. At No Vacancy the concept itself seems rooted in the approach to creating and making the drinks. It is all careful and informed and deep.
SUITE 115. A younger version of me would have heard you need to enter the bar using a code and rolled my eyes. The good news is that the door code is where anything gimmicky ends with Suite 115. Once inside the considered interior minimal decor and unique lighting let you know that this bar is something special. In the year or so that Suite 115 has been open we have already seen the staff and management make moves to make the space, the service and the drinks better in all regards. If the menu design has changed, there was a reason. If the presentation of a drink and garnish (the much Instagrammed banana) have changed, there was a reason. We have even heard a rumour that a Flair Coach has been brought in, not to teach bottle stalls and flips, but to help the staff move around the space more consciously. We LOVE the care that is being put into this place.
Why we like it: The drinks, at first, seem high-minded but the bartenders are all well-versed in explaining what all is happening on the page and in the glass in ways that anyone can understand.
LONELY DINER. Any self-respecting Toronto Gen-Xer will have sat (probably hungover) at Mars Diner on one of those “morning afters”. While time has moved Mars into the abyss, Lonely Diner has moved in. This cozy, wood panelled tribute to 60s cocktail bars feels as transportive as any tropical bar we’ve been to. The lighting especially stuck out to us, in that the whole room has a glow to it, instead of spot lights and sconces. While any regular at Mars might need some help deciphering some of the esoteric ingredients on the menu, every drink we tried here delivered the goods.
Why We Like It: Tiny. Newspaper. Boxes.
Originally posted February 22nd, 2026
