Growing up in Toronto has been a lot of fun. Others have said it before, and I agree – Toronto is one of the best cities for nightlife in the world. Obviously, you don’t want to party every night, so if you’re looking for a chill night with some drinks and friends, Toronto has some great options. These are the 11 best bars in Toronto, hands-down.
1. Track and Field
What could be better than a beer in one hand and a bocce ball in the other? You’ll have a great time at Track and Field with your group of friends. They have some cool lawn games indoors and space for you to laugh and dance when you’re tired of throwing bocce balls.
2. 416 Snack Bar
This is a quiet and cozy spot, and the dimly lit setting makes it great for a date night. The food menu here is amazing and perfect for sharing, as the name implies. Try the pakora with peach chutney and green raita – it won’t let you down.
3. Nightowl
The drinks are always flowing here, and there is always some type of drink special happening on any given night. The bartenders are friendly, the drinks are cold, the arcade games will have you breaking plenty of bills, and the live band that plays on the weekends will have you dancing the night away.
4. The Drake Hotel
No, this place is not owned by Toronto hip-hop artist Drake. I’m fairly sure he’s been here a couple of times though. The Drake Hotel has six different areas in its establishment, the rooftop is definitely my favorite, especially during the warm Toronto summer. It’s easy to get lost in this place for hours. You and your friends will have a blast here.
5. Snakes and Lattes
Competition is the name of the game at Snakes and Lattes. Not only will you have access to almost every board game ever invented, they also serve up cold adult drinks, food, and warm drinks to wind down your night. Break out the Monopoly and get ready to lose some friends.
6. Real Sports
If you’re ready to cheer on the Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Maple Leafs, this is the perfect place to go. The bar is owned by the same ownership group as the teams. Real Sports is also located right next to the Air Canada Center, so if you can’t afford to get in the arena on that given night, this is a great alternative. It’s a great atmosphere, but if you plan on going here for a big game without reserving a table, think again.
7. Parts & Labour
Parts & Labour is a fairly low key bar, and similar to the other spots on this list, it’s easy to lose track of time here. If the music doesn’t keep you rapping your favorite rhymes all night, then the burger will get you talking. It is definitely one of the best burgers in the city and they have some great deals during the week where you can get a pint and a burger for a decent price.
8. Thompson Hotel
Catch one of the best views of the city of Toronto on the Thompson Hotel’s beautiful rooftop bar, perfect for capturing your next Instagram masterpiece. The Thompson has a few different venues within it. After you’re done partying it up with your friends, you can stop by the 24-hour Thompson Diner for some of the best chicken and waffles in the city. It’s a popular spot, so don’t surprised if you see a couple local celebrities hanging around.
9. The Get Well
If you’ve never been here before, chances are you’ll feel like you’re stepping right into the 1970s. The old school/interesting/weird decor will have you wondering where the hell you are, but the arcades and the pizza shop located in the back of the bar will definitely win you over.
10. Miss Things
Never been to Hawaii? Me neither, and Miss Things is not a replacement for making that beautiful trip – but it’s as close as you can get on the east coast. The food here is amazing and the cocktails will put you on island time. This is a great place to get together with friends and have a few drinks before a crazy night out.
11. Queen St. Warehouse
The $5 menu keeps the lines long here just about every night of the week, and even longer when the weekend comes. Don’t let that deter you though, they say good things come to those who wait, and they’re right. The music is loud, the people are happy and you’ll more than likely see people dancing on the bar before you head home for the night. Good times guaranteed.
