Vatican Gift Shop

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.