Civil Works
- Address
- 50 Brant St., Toronto, ON
- Hours
- Monday: Closed Tuesday–Thursday: 5:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m. Friday–Saturday: 5:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m. Sunday: 5:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m.
- Menu
- Needle/Thread Martini
- Toronto Purchase
- The Wedding Ward Spritz
A priced menu is not on this page.
Official menu →
Perched above the Waterworks Food Hall, this airy cocktail lounge trades dark, moody corners for sophisticated, light-filled grandeur.
Tucked away in the loft space above the bustling Waterworks Food Hall, Civil Works offers a refreshing departure from the city’s typical subterranean, moody cocktail dens. The room is undeniably striking, defined by soaring ceilings, industrial steel beams, and a wall of windows that floods the space with natural light. It feels grand yet approachable, anchored by plush, deep-blue banquettes and intricate Persian-style rugs that soften the exposed-brick and metal aesthetic. Behind the operation is a team that prioritizes genuine hospitality over pretension; the service is warm and genuinely invested in your experience, making it a rare spot where you can enjoy a high-end drink without the usual downtown stiffness.
The cocktail program here is thoughtful, moving well beyond simple spirit-and-mixer combinations to offer drinks that feel intentional and balanced. While the menu shifts, don't overlook the playful, elevated touches—like the refined jello shots that occasionally make the rounds, proving they don't take themselves too seriously. Expect to pay premium prices for the craftsmanship, but the quality justifies the tab. It is an ideal spot for a post-work unwind or a pre-dinner drink when you want to soak in the architecture of the historic Waterworks building. Aim for an early evening arrival to snag a spot on the banquettes before the post-work crowd fills the room, and come prepared to linger.
July 31, 2024
About Civil Works
What is Civil Works? Perched on the mezzanine level of the restored Waterworks Food Hall at 50 Brant Street, Civil Works is the ambitious sister bar to Bloor West's acclaimed Civil Liberties. Nick Kennedy and bar manager Élise Hanson swapped their flagship's menu-free, bespoke approach for an Art Deco cocktail lounge anchored by a 25-foot communal bar, jewel-toned velvet club chairs, and open views of the food hall below. In warmer months, the operation expands outdoors to Civil Parks, a patio overlooking St. Andrew's Playground.
Civil Works Menu & What to Order The drinks program is conceptual and heavily narrative-driven, exploring Toronto's cultural history through inventive liquid storytelling. Standouts include the Needle/Thread—a savoury gin martini balanced with pineapple, smoked sweet onion, and black-pepper oil—and the Toronto Purchase, which layers Lot 40 rye with Granny Smith apple and carbonated maple. Make time for their elevated craft Jell-O shots, or sample their obsessive mineral water flights tailored to alter the flavour profiles of single-malt whiskies.
Know Before You Go Reservations can be booked online, but walk-ins can readily grab spots around the communal bar counter or low-slung lounge tables early on. Tuesday to Friday happy hour runs from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., offering sharp discounts on classics and boilermakers before the evening King West crowds fill the space. Paid underground parking is accessible off Maud Street, or take the Queen streetcar to Augusta Avenue and walk south.
Frequently Asked Questions About Civil Works
Menu highlights at Civil Works include Needle/Thread Martini, Toronto Purchase, The Wedding Ward Spritz, Elevated Craft Jell-O Shots, Regional Mineral Water & Whisky Flight, Clarified Caesar. A priced menu is not on this page. The restaurant publishes its menu at https://www.waterworksfoodhall.com/civil-works.
