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Best of Toronto

The Best Cocktail Bars in Toronto (2026)

Bar Pompette, Civil Liberties, Library Bar, and Cry Baby Gallery anchor this guide. Medal rooms, menu-free bars, a hotel hide, a gallery, a fermentorium, and an east-end fake gift shop — verified August 2026. Closed-looking names stayed off; every profile has an official-site hero.

Updated for 2026•16 Destinations
No.1
Bar Pompette’s College Street room, from the official Pompette site
Bar• Little Italy

Bar Pompette

“Best overall: College Street walk-ins, Paloma Quemada on draft, and the medals without a velvet rope.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Bar Pompette?** Located at 607 College Street in Little Italy, Bar Pompette is a globally lauded cocktail den from the hospitality team behind the Pompette group, including co-owner Martine Bauer and acclaimed bar director Maxime Hoerth. The intimate space blends Parisian cafe elegance with low-lit neighborhood charm, featuring a focal marble-topped bar counter, vintage bentwood bistro seating, and a leafy back patio for warmer evenings. **Bar Pompette Menu & What to Order** Behind the scenes, the bar relies on high-tech lab equipment—including rotary evaporators and centrifuges—to craft pristine, hyper-flavourful cocktails that arrive without pretentious theatrics. Start with the crystal-clear Paloma Quemada, an effervescent blend of burnt grapefruit, agave spirits, whey, and lime, or order the savory Cornichon, which leans on house-distilled pickle essence. Don't skip the draft Nitro Colada layered with coconut rum and curry leaf, paired alongside freshly baked bites and warm croque-style sandwiches from sister bakery Bakery Pompette. **Know Before You Go** Bar Pompette operates strictly on a walk-in basis with no reservations, so arrive right around the 6:00 p.m. opening or late in the evening to claim a bar seat without a wait. Friday and Saturday nights draw steady crowds, while Sunday evening jazz sets offer a significantly more relaxed vibe. Streetcar transit via the 506 Carlton line drops you steps from the front door on College Street.

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No.2
Civil Liberties official cocktail photography from civillibertiesbar.com
Bar• Bloorcourt

Civil Liberties

“Best no-menu night: blank Bloor facade, tell them what you like, and skip it if you need a printed list.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Civil Liberties?** Marked only by the address and an illuminated golden pineapple at 878 Bloor Street West, Civil Liberties is Bloorcourt’s celebrated, menu-free cocktail haven. Founded in 2014 by Nick Kennedy and his team, the room pairs a warm, unpretentious neighbourhood pub aesthetic—complete with tin ceilings, exposed brick, and a shallow copper penny bar—with world-class bartending. Seating is centered around the lively main bar counter alongside a scattering of low-lit perimeter tables. **Civil Liberties Menu & What to Order** There is deliberately no printed cocktail list here; instead, the bar team improvises bespoke drinks based on your spirit preferences, flavour profiles, or current mood. If you want a dependable classic or an easy starting point, call for their velvety Nitro Espresso Martini or ask for creations incorporating house-made specialty liqueurs like Free Pizza or the Heisenberg. For bar snacks, you can order a charcuterie board or have hot Vietnamese eats delivered directly to your bar stool from neighbouring sister kitchen Vịt Béo. **Know Before You Go** Civil Liberties operates strictly on a walk-in basis with no reservations, passwords, or dress codes. Prime spots fill up fast, so arrive right around the 6:00 p.m. opening on weekends if you want to snag two stools together at the bar without waiting outside. The bar is conveniently located just a five-minute stroll east of Ossington Station on subway Line 2.

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No.3
Library Bar official photography from librarybartoronto.com
Bar• Financial District

Library Bar

“Best hotel bar: tableside Birdbath Martinis and a real lunch service — book the corner, not the lobby.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Library Bar?** Tucked discreetly off the Fairmont Royal York lobby at 100 Front Street West, Library Bar is a moody, Art Deco sanctuary for serious drink enthusiasts in the Financial District. Guided by acclaimed beverage director James Grant, the intimate lounge features plush emerald banquettes, dim amber lighting, and bookcase-lined walls that echo the room's mid-century heritage. **Library Bar Menu & What to Order** The undisputed main event is the Birdbath Martini, chilled and poured tableside with house-distilled QUILL gin or vodka and served bone-cold with bespoke garnishes. The cocktail menu also explores intricate literary-themed concoctions crafted with house rotovap distillates. For sustenance, order the signature Bay Street sandwich—slow-roasted smoked prime rib on a Thuet Bakery pretzel bun—alongside fresh oysters and classic steak frites. **Know Before You Go** Reservations are available for the storied noon martini lunch, but prime evening hours transition largely to walk-in traffic where waitlists for a booth form quickly. Situated directly across from Union Station, transit access is effortless via the TTC subway or GO Train. Library Bar operates daily from noon until midnight.

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No.4
Cry Baby Gallery cocktail photography from the official Squarespace site
Bar• Little Portugal

Cry Baby Gallery

“Best gallery bar: real art out front, a curved bar behind the curtain — first come, no two-top hold.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Cry Baby Gallery?** Occupying 1468 Dundas Street West in Little Portugal, Cry Baby Gallery pairs an active, whitewashed storefront art space with a dimly lit back-room cocktail lounge. Co-founded by Rob Granicolo alongside Stephen and Mike Gouzopoulos, the front room features rotating visual exhibitions curated by street artist Mony Zakhour, while a heavy rear curtain opens into a moody den with a curved oak bar and banquette seating. **Cry Baby Gallery Menu & What to Order** Cocktails here are built on complex house infusions, custom syrups, and playful spirit combinations. The flagship Cry Baby Zombie anchors the drinks list with a house rum blend and spiced sorrel syrup, while the Daytona Vice serves up a rich mash-up of a banana daiquiri and piña colada. Agave lovers gravitate toward the smoky, chile-infused Tickled Pink or the cacao-laced Golden Sombrero, complemented by a tight oyster program and occasional pop-up bar snacks. **Know Before You Go** The bar operates strictly on a walk-in basis with no reservations, and peak weekend slots after 10:00 p.m. consistently draw a lineup at the door. Aim for early evening on a weeknight to browse the gallery art at your own pace before grabbing a barstool. Reach the bar via the 505 Dundas streetcar, or use dedicated bike lanes running through the neighbourhood.

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No.5
Mother Cocktail Bar’s Queen West room, from the official site
Bar• Trinity Bellwoods

Mother

“Best fermentation lab: book the small Queen West room and take the seasonal board, not a classic you could get anywhere.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Mother?** Occupying a moody Queen West storefront at 874 Queen Street West across from Trinity Bellwoods, Mother is co-owner and bartender Massimo Zitti’s haven for fermentation science and boundary-pushing mixology. The interior trades clinical lab aesthetics for warm candlelight, exposed brick, and low-slung seating anchored by an intimate front bar counter where house fermentations and botanical distillates take centre stage. Ranked among North America’s 50 Best Bars, it operates as a serious, seated cocktail lounge built for deliberate sipping. **Mother Menu & What to Order** The rotating cocktail list leans heavily on house-made kombuchas, lacto-fermented seasonal fruits, and house distillates instead of traditional syrups. Order the standout Toasted Chai Piña Colada or the barrel-aged Negroni Ristretto infused with Colombian coffee beans and lacto-ferments. From the kitchen, balance the acid-forward drinks with the nori-dusted Mother Fries with tarragon aïoli and the beef striploin Mother Tartare prepared with shio koji and miso egg yolk. **Know Before You Go** With limited square footage, weekend table reservations via their website are essential, though duos and solo walk-ins can often snag bar stools right when doors open at 6:00 p.m.. Take the 501 Queen streetcar to avoid the headache of Trinity Bellwoods street parking. Mother is open seven nights a week, pouring until midnight Sunday through Monday, 1:00 a.m. Tuesday through Wednesday, and 2:00 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

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No.6
XXX cocktail photography from Little Sister’s official Bar XXX page
Bar• King West

XXX

“Best small-room hide: 20 seats under Little Sister, Wednesday–Saturday from 6, ask upstairs if the stair is unclear.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is XXX?** Tucked beneath Little Sister at 102 Portland Street in King West, XXX is an intimate, 20-seat subterranean Dutch speakeasy decked out in retro 1970s Nederland style. Gaining entry requires securing a playing card from the upstairs restaurant staff and heading down a low-lit stairway marked solely by a red neon sign. The compact bunker keeps guests shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the city's top mixology talent across sleek counter and lounge seating. **XXX Menu & What to Order** The drinks list zeroes in on outlier ingredients, complex infusions, and rare, top-shelf spirits. Start with the notorious Ants on a Log, combining pisco, cachaça, guava, soursop, and an authentic black ant tincture, or sip the house XXX, an elevated spin on the Porn Star Martini served with citrus vodka, passion fruit, and a sparkling brut sidecar. Those seeking bar bites can order Dutch-Indo snacks directly from the kitchen upstairs, such as crispy fried chicken bites and spiced beef croquettes. **Know Before You Go** Given the tight 20-seat capacity, tables fill quickly on weekends; plan to arrive right at the 6:00 p.m. opening or prepare for a wait during peak late-night hours. The speakeasy operates on its own clock independently from Little Sister's upstairs dinner seatings, running Wednesday through Saturday late, plus Sunday evenings featuring Bad Drinks TV takeovers. Street parking along Portland Street is virtually impossible on weekends, so riding the 504 King streetcar is your best bet.

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No.7
Bar Raval official carved-mahogany interior from thisisbarraval.com
Bar• Little Italy

Bar Raval

“Best afternoon-into-night bar: mahogany, pintxos, and a 1 p.m. open — stand up, do not expect a reserved two-top.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Bar Raval?** Anchoring the corner of College and Palmerston in Little Italy, Bar Raval is restaurateur Grant van Gameren and mixologist Robin Goodfellow's love letter to Barcelona's vibrant pintxos culture. Stepping inside feels like entering an undulating wooden sculpture: the interior, designed by Toronto studio Partisans, features continuous, hand-carved Spanish mahogany that curves across the ceiling, walls, and bar counters. There are almost no traditional dining tables indoors—this is a genuine standing-room pintxos bar where guests lean against mahogany ledges with a glass of vermut, though a heated wraparound sidewalk terrace offers seated tables in warmer weather. **Bar Raval Menu & What to Order** The kitchen operates on Spanish grazing rhythms, starting with classic skewered gildas (boquerones, guindilla peppers, and manzanilla olives) and carved-to-order Jamón Ibérico de Bellota. Don't miss the smoked mackerel or razor clams from the curated conservas list, served straight from the tin with house potato chips, as well as the charred octopus bathed in smoked pimentón oil. The bar program is world-class, specializing in fortified wines, bone-dry finó sherries, house-blended vermouth poured over orange peel, and razor-sharp Spanish gin and tonics served in generous copa glasses. **Know Before You Go** Bar Raval operates strictly on a walk-in basis with zero reservations. During prime evening hours (7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.) and weekend afternoons, expect a packed, shoulder-to-shoulder room where you'll need to gently navigate to the bar counter to order. For a more relaxed experience with elbow room, drop by between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. for an afternoon aperitivo. The 506 Carlton streetcar stops right outside at Palmerston Boulevard, making transit the ideal option given Little Italy's notoriously competitive street parking.

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No.8
No Vacancy’s Ossington room from the official Webflow site
Bar• Ossington

No Vacancy

“Best new room: Ossington dinner-and-drinks until 2 on weekends — book Friday, walk in earlier in the week.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is No Vacancy?** Anchoring the bustling Ossington strip at 74 Ossington Avenue, No Vacancy delivers a moody, mid-century-tinged cocktail parlor anchored by a refined Korean-Italian kitchen. Steered by mixologists Troy Gilchrist and Kat Yu alongside Chef Brian Kang, the room is washed in amber glow, exposed brick, and polished counter seating. It strikes a rare balance on the street, functioning equally well as an ambitious dinner spot and a lively late-night cocktail haven. **No Vacancy Menu & What to Order** The kitchen turns out inventive cross-cultural share plates led by crisp bulgogi arancini, seasoned yukhoe beef tartare, and umami-rich abalone spaghetti. Seafood lovers should target the delicate doenjang-marinated cod, which pairs seamlessly with Gilchrist’s cocktail program—especially The Bad Sleep Well, a bright herbal spin on a Boulevardier, or the refreshing Flicker Flicker Baby. While meat and seafood lead the charge, snack-focused vegetable dishes ensure cocktail-first grazers and pescatarians have plenty of options. **Know Before You Go** Bookings through OpenTable are strongly recommended on weekends when the room reaches capacity early and holds its buzz late into the night. Walk-ins can often snag bar stools by arriving right at the 6:00 p.m. opening before peak dinner rush hits at 8:00 p.m. Located steps from both Queen and Dundas streetcars, the venue operates Tuesday through Sunday with doors closed on Mondays.

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No.9
Civil Works’ Art Deco mezzanine bar from the official Waterworks page
Bar• Fashion District

Civil Works

“Best new-school narrative bar: 25-foot communal rail above Waterworks — reserve, and confirm Mondays.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Civil Works?** Perched on the mezzanine level of the restored 1932 Art Deco complex at 50 Brant Street, Civil Works is the ambitious cocktail lounge from Nick Kennedy and David Huynh of Toronto’s renowned Civil Liberties. Led by award-winning bar manager Élise Hanson, the room bridges industrial heritage and refined vintage glamour with plush velvet bucket chairs, low-slung lounge seating, and an expansive 25-foot communal bar overlooking the humming Waterworks Food Hall below. **Civil Works Menu & What to Order** Unlike Civil Liberties' bespoke no-menu format, Civil Works delivers a tightly scripted, narrative-driven cocktail list alongside an inventive spirit program paired with custom-mineralized water profiles titrated to mimic specific global regions. Standout pours include the floral, sake-and-Concord-grape-laced Wedding Ward, the warm, sesame-spiced Hand Laundry topped with sherried cream, and the velvety rum-forward Rags to Riches. Zero-proof creations and classic martinis are dialed in with razor-sharp precision, making a seat right at the bar rail the prime vantage point to talk water chemistry and balance with the team. **Know Before You Go** Table reservations are recommended through their booking link, though solo drinkers and pairs can often snag walk-in spots at the central communal bar. A weekday happy hour runs Tuesday through Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with discounted classic cocktails, wines, and boilermakers. With vehicle access tight across the Fashion District, hop on the 501 Queen or 504 King streetcars and enter via Brant Street or the Richmond Street West courtyard.

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No.10
Themed private karaoke room at Bar Mordecai, official Squarespace photo
Bar• Dundas West

Bar Mordecai

“Best dressed-up Dundas night: lobby-bar cocktails upstairs, karaoke downstairs — closed Sunday–Tuesday.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Bar Mordecai?** Perched along Dundas West near Dovercourt Road, Bar Mordecai channels the dusty pastel glamour of vintage hotel lobbies through a distinctly Wes Anderson-inspired design lens. Created by the team behind Mahjong Bar alongside celebrated drinks director Christina Veira, the upper level features glowing rose lighting, curved velvet banquettes, a vintage phone booth, and marble bar seating. Downstairs reveals an entirely separate mood, where the Green Room lounge opens into four private, musically themed karaoke suites. **Bar Mordecai Menu & What to Order** Cocktails lead the experience, pairing serious mixology chops with playful touches like boozy house-spun soft serve and the Bad Mother, a rich riff on Canada's classic Shaft. The food program complements the glassware with Iberian-influenced tapas and elevated drinking snacks, highlighted by charred coliflor asada with hummus, artisanal conservas, and cured meat boards. Pair a funk-forward pet-nat or an herbaceous mezcal cocktail with their vegetarian snack plates before heading downstairs. **Know Before You Go** Upstairs tables and bar counter seats welcome walk-ins early in the week, but reservations via Resy are essential for weekend drinking crowds. The basement karaoke rooms operate under strict two- to three-hour booking blocks with set room fees and minimum spends per guest, so book those private rooms weeks ahead. Arrive easily via the 505 Dundas streetcar, as neighbourhood street parking is scarce on bustling weekend nights.

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No.11
BarChef’s Queen West cocktail room from the official contact page
Bar• Queen West

BarChef

“Best modernist night: smoked Manhattan theatre on Queen West — book Friday, walk in midweek, 19+.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is BarChef?** Set behind an understated doorway at 472 Queen Street West, BarChef is pioneer mixologist Frankie Solarik’s moody sanctum of molecular and sensory cocktail craft. The interior is dim, sultry, and cavernous, appointed with dark woods, heavy drapery, glowing candlelight, and a sleek central bar flanked by plush lounge seating. It operates as an intimate liquid atelier, drawing a crowd that comes specifically for boundary-pushing spirits and elaborate aromatics. **BarChef Menu & What to Order** The menu revolves around house-infused spirits, bespoke syrups, and an encyclopedic library of artisanal bitters, organized across classic sippers and avant-garde modernist presentations. The undisputed calling card is the Vanilla and Hickory Smoked Manhattan, unveiled tableside in a swirling cloud of aromatic hickory smoke. Other highlights include the multi-sensory Spring Thaw, the floral King of Kensington, and the tropical, layered Coconut cocktail. A concise menu of small plates and charcuterie provides grounding sustenance between rounds. **Know Before You Go** BarChef accepts reservations for groups and dedicated cocktail seatings online, while maintaining space at the bar and lounge for walk-ins on a first-come basis. Peak weekend waits ramp up quickly after 9 p.m., so arrive near opening time to secure prime seats at the bar where the liquid nitrogen and smoke prep happen in full view. The 501 Queen streetcar drops off steps away near Augusta Avenue, making transit far easier than hunting for Queen West street parking.

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No.12
Project Gigglewater’s Dundas West room, from the official gallery
Bar• Dundas West

Project Gigglewater

“Best living-room cocktail bar: serious drinks and share plates on Dundas, no medal-night posture required.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Project Gigglewater?** Occupying a cozy stretch of Dundas West at 1369 Dundas Street West, Project Gigglewater is veteran bar operator Alfred Siu’s neighbourhood cocktail lounge named after 1920s slang for booze. Inside, warm ambient lighting, rich timber, and polished brass fixtures anchor an intimate space lined with cozy banquettes, low tables, and prime bar counter seating. It strikes the ideal balance between serious cocktail craftsmanship and unpretentious local warmth. **Project Gigglewater Menu & What to Order** The drinks roster swings from clever, savoury inventions to impeccably balanced classics—the signature Pho Get About It shakes spice-infused rum with lime and a cilantro-basil rice milk syrup, while the Negroni Frappé delivers pure refreshment. Unlike many late-night bars, the kitchen treats food with genuine care until last call. Standouts include the crispy-edged double smash burger, house chicharrones with guacamole, and flaky cod fish tacos. **Know Before You Go** Online reservations are available with standard 90-minute table seatings, but bar stools and front tables are kept accessible for walk-ins. The room fills quickly after 9:00 p.m. on weekends and on promotional evenings like Smash Burger Sundays. The 505 Dundas streetcar stops steps from the front door, making transit the easiest way to arrive.

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No.13
The gold-lit Gift Shop cocktail room behind Barber & Co on Ossington
Bar• Ossington Strip

Gift Shop

“Best barbershop hide: through the beads at 89 Ossington for one excellent drink, not a camp-out.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Gift Shop?** Tucked behind the working chairs and clippers of Barber & Co at 89 Ossington Avenue, Gift Shop is a clandestine 20-seat cocktail den that pairs technical mixology with a playful neighbourhood attitude. Helmed by bar operator Mike Lamantia, the narrow room is bathed in warm amber light, lined with mirrored accents, and anchored by a compact bar counter where patrons sit shoulder-to-shoulder. It operates without Wi-Fi or fuss, treating its shoebox footprint as a social haven for close conversation and precise, spirit-forward nightcaps. **Gift Shop Menu & What to Order** The cocktail list rotates seasonally inside retro comic-style booklets, spotlighting offbeat ingredients, intricate milk washes, and classic riffs. The standout order is the Cornstar Martini, shaken with roasted-corn pisco, reposado tequila, passion fruit, corn milk, and a savoury crown of Parmesan foam. Another house signature is Keep Me In The Loop, a clarified cereal-milk punch combining Fruit Loops, mezcal, pisco, pandan, and green tea. For straight-ahead potency, try The Spice of Life with marmalade-infused bourbon and salted thyme syrup, or indulge in the top-shelf Louis XIII Sazerac. Food is intentionally sparse—just warm bar nuts and dressed olives—so dine elsewhere on the strip first. **Know Before You Go** With limited bar and ledge seating, entry is strictly first-come, first-served; larger groups will struggle, so keep your party to pairs or solo visits. Arrive right around the 7:30 p.m. opening to claim a stool, or expect to wait on Ossington during peak late-night weekend rushes. Streetcars on either Queen (501) or Dundas (505) drop you within a five-minute stroll of the front barbershop doors.

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No.14
The long bar inside Suite 115, from the official Squarespace site
Bar• Little Italy

Suite 115

“Best keypad night: read the mirror on College, sit the long bar, and stay for the food-forward cocktails.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Suite 115?** Fronting College Street in Little Italy at number 532, Suite 115 gives passersby little clue to what lies behind its door save for a daily access code scribbled on an exterior mirror. Punch the sequence into the keypad to step inside a dramatic, sunset-hued room designed by Atelier Sun, centered around an expansive 25-seat bar illuminated by warm, low-slung ambient lighting. Founded by Suite 114 alumni Oliver Leung and Jacky Ha, the intimate venue trades pretentious speakeasy tropes for disarmingly friendly hospitality and laser-focused mixology. **Suite 115 Menu & What to Order** The drink program leans heavily into food-forward gastronomy and cultural memories. Standouts include The Old Man—a smooth, Hong Kong milk-tea-inflected cocktail—and the savoury Ackee & Saltfish Martini, alongside the Southeast Jungle served with a separate wooden spoonful of celery air. For a playful flight, order the Tiny Savouries, which pairs miniature cocktails with a microscopic charcuterie board, and round out drinks with bar bites like steamed dumplings and braised short ribs. Patrons with a penchant for puzzle-solving can also tackle a table riddle to unlock a secret reserve cocktail menu. **Know Before You Go** Suite 115 operates strictly on a walk-in policy, so expect peak weekend waits between 9:00 p.m. and midnight; arrive near the 5:30 p.m. opening to secure prime seats along the counter. The bar is open nightly until 2:00 a.m. and is easily accessible via the 506 Carlton streetcar along College Street. Note that ticketed cocktail masterclasses are occasionally offered through their website, but regular evening visits require no reservations—just the code from the mirror.

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No.15
Vatican Gift Shop photography from the official Wix site
Bar• Leslieville

Vatican Gift Shop

“Best east-end hide: fake gift shop on Gerrard, pizza and cocktails, confirm the night if you are going midweek.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Vatican Gift Shop?** Sitting along Gerrard Street East near Jones Avenue, Vatican Gift Shop disguises itself behind a tiny storefront window of kitschy religious souvenirs before opening up into a moody, candlelit beer hall and cocktail lounge. Conceived by the same crew behind neighbouring east-end fixtures Poor Romeo and Pinkerton's Snack Bar, the interior features church-pew seating, faux Sistine Chapel ceiling artwork, and cheeky confessional screen booths. It acts as Leslieville’s unpretentious counterweight to the west side, transitioning from a cozy pizza haunt into an active dance party as the night wears on. **Vatican Gift Shop Menu & What to Order** The kitchen turns out blistered sourdough Neapolitan-style pizzas, ranging from classic Margheritas to spicy salumi pies, supplemented by Italian bar snacks like arancini and meatballs. Drinks are the main event, anchored by an extensive amaro program that powers punchy signature cocktails such as the tequila-and-Amaro-Nonino Ride The Cliché alongside herbal Chartreuse sours. Local pints from East Toronto craft breweries share draft real estate with old-world European imports, making it easy to pair a slice with an easy-drinking lager. **Know Before You Go** Snag a table reservation on OpenTable if you want to eat dinner at a booth before 10:00 p.m., after which the tables make way for DJ sets, dance crowds, and high-volume weekend revelry. Street parking along Gerrard is tight, so the 506 Carlton streetcar is your most reliable transit link. While typical operating hours run Wednesday through Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., verify ahead on earlier weeknights as event schedules can shift.

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No.16
Mahjong Bar’s jungle-mural cocktail room from the official Framer site
Bar• Dundas West

Mahjong Bar

“Best fake-bodega room: pink marble and a 36-foot mural on Dundas — go for the hide and a plate, not a quiet two-top.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Mahjong Bar?** Fronted by an unassuming pink bodega at 1276 Dundas Street West, Mahjong Bar is one of Dundas West's defining cocktail hideaways. Push through the rear curtain and the storefront gives way to an atmospheric 2,000-square-foot space inspired by 1960s Hong Kong, complete with black-and-white checkered flooring, a glowing pink-marble bar, and a sweeping 36-foot mural by local artist Gabriella Lo. Seating ranges from counter stools along the marble bar to banquettes and high-top tables, welcoming everything from casual date-night drinks to lively late-night weekend crowds. **Mahjong Bar Menu & What to Order** Developed in collaboration with the team behind Ossington's Soos, the kitchen focuses on punchy, Sichuan-inspired drinking snacks and street food plates. The Chengdu pork-and-shrimp wontons tossed in aromatic chili oil and crispy garlic are essential, as are the crisp Mahjong half moons and Taiwanese fried chicken with three-cup mayo. The beverage program leans heavily into Asian botanicals and spirits; order the mezcal-and-ginger Tame Impala or the pandan-infused Tropic Thunder to pair with the spice. Vegetarian guests will find plenty to love in the king mushroom dumplings, smashed chili cucumbers, and crispy fries. **Know Before You Go** Table reservations are offered on Resy, which are strongly encouraged for prime weekend hours before walk-in crowds and DJs take over after 9:00 p.m. The 505 Dundas streetcar stops right outside at Dovercourt Road, which is vastly easier than navigating limited neighbourhood street parking. The bar is open Thursday through Sunday evenings, with the kitchen running until late.

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