What is a Whiskey Bar?
A whiskey bar is a licensed establishment which specializes in offering a wide selection of whiskeys from various regions and distilleries, often accompanied by knowledgeable staff and a curated atmosphere. These places tend to feel like private clubs and have more regular patrons than walk-in guests. This is because they offer a diverse range of whiskeys, including single malts, blends, bourbons, and rye, as well as cocktails made with whiskey.
Choosing the Best Whiskey Bar in Toronto
CC Lounge and Whisky Bar – 45 Front St. E.
This scotch whisky bar located in the heart of downtown Toronto will transport guests back in time to the prohibition era. Decked out with huge leather booths, disco chandeliers, and exposed brick, CC Lounge and Whisky Bar is every drink enthusiast’s dream.
The downtown Toronto bar is inspired by the whisky tunnel used by Hiram Walker, the founder of Canadian Club, and his family to transport booze to the likes of Al Capone in the United States. CC Lounge has its own whisky tunnel which houses over 300 different whiskys from around the world.
CC Lounge specializes in North American brown spirits. However this bar also boasts beverages of all kinds and delicious pub fare like wings and pizzas. An in-house whisky historian is also available on weekends and special occasions to offer private and interactive whisky tasting tours.
The Caledonian – 856 College St. – (416) 577-7472
The Caledonian brings all the comfort and ease of a traditional Scottish whiskey bar to Toronto. Guests can practically feel the highland breeze as they taste spirits from one of the world’s largest whisky lists of over 500 malts and blends.
The restaurant serves Celtic food and music. They host Laphroaig Live Celtic Music Session every Wednesday evening at 7:30pm. Diners can enjoy traditional Scottish fare like scotch eggs, steak pies, and haggis which are prepared fresh using local ingredients. The Caledonian also offers custom tasting flights and tutored whisky tastings in groups of any size. They frequently host experts from overseas and the United States and many published authors and celebrity chefs have hosted world class events at this venue.
The Caledonian boasts a wide array of Scotch whiskies, categorized by region, with detailed tasting notes, making it a haven for whisky enthusiasts.
The bar is well shelved and has many glass cabinets containing some of the world’s best whiskeys. All of the interior spaces have a warm and inviting ambiance with good art and vintage advertising, and there is a cozy rear patio in the summer months. The pub is reminiscent of a traditional Scottish pub, making it a comfortable place to relax and socialize.
The Emmet Ray – 924 College St. , (416) 792-4497
There may be no finer pairing than cocktails and music, and that’s exactly what The Emmet Ray jazz bar does well. They offer a long whiskey list and live musical performances. Diners at The Emmet Ray are offered a nice selection of traditional pub fare served between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.
A cozy patio is also available for those who visit The Emmet Ray during the warmer weather. Plus, the bar offers food delivery through UberEats. Home audiences can order meals as they watch live streams of jazz performances held in the bar on their Facebook page, all for those who prefer to indulge at home.
The Emmet Ray opened in December of 2009 and made a name for itself in several subcultures including whiskey tasting groups. The restauarant also hosted diverse live musical acts, and grew a reputation by growing their whiskey list. They now have over 270 bottles from all corners of the globe, and they are proud of their food which they believe elevates an already refined environment. Warm and unassuming, The Emmet Ray offers quality products alongside living room service.
Ruby Soho – 587 King St. West, (416) 901-7829
There are few restaurants in Toronto as famous as Ruby Soho. The venue regularly hosts celebrity dinners, food industry photo shoots, and film festival movie receptions. In addition to all that, this upscale eatery has also amassed a good reputation for curating and serving fine whiskeys and offering a wide selection of custom cocktails made with whiskey.
Ruby Soho was a hotspot before King St. West became the city’s Entertainment District. That’s because of it’s enduring fame, and also because it offers a wide selection of drinks, craft beers, and fine wine from around the world. The incredible diversity ensures there’s something for everyone. But this place is sure to please a whiskey lover in particular, if you can get a table, or even a seat at the bar.
Ruby Soho boasts a great location and has a terrific sidewalk patio which always seems to be busy, even while other nearby restuarant patios are empty. The bar has friendly staff and regularly features live music and DJ performances. Years ago, it had a college bar vibe but now it has matured and feels more European which also lends to a refined atmosphere to the experience when tasting imported spirits.
Ruby Soho has a prime location at King & Portland, making it easily accessible and a great place to start the evening. The patio is perfect for people watching in the summer months, and the interior has stylish decor which creates a welcoming and energetic atmosphere for whiskey consumption and tastings in the fall and winter months.
Ruby Soho offers a menu of hearty pub fare and innovative dishes, including popular items like the pork belly breakfast sandwich and rib eye quesadilla. The bar is also known for its creative cocktails and has a good selection of craft beers and wines. The staff at Ruby Soho are known for offering good service, despite how busy the place gets, especially on weekends. Ratings websites like OpenTable, TripAdvisor and Yelp, are filled with three-year-old complaints about the longer than average waits time to get seated, even after making reservations. The hype hasn’t diminished over the years, because it’s still hard to get a table, and people need to make reservations a week or two in advance even in the winter months. The limited seating and exclusivity of the venue contribute to its vibrant and lively atmosphere.
Allen’s – 143 Danforth Ave.
At the east end of the Danforth, Allen’s, an upscale Irish saloon, boasts a list of 340 whiskies alongside some delicious pub fare. Opened in 1987, Allen’s (top image, by Mark Keast) is the perfect spot for those looking to indulge in great food, drink, and friendly company.
Using only locally sourced meats and produce, Allen’s serves up snacks, brunch, lunch, and dinner to pair well with any brown spirit. Guests are encouraged to sit on the cozy patio of this whisky bar in Toronto and indulge, weather permitted.
Cocktail Bar, located on Dundas West in Toronto, is a cozy and vibrant spot known for its innovative and classic cocktails, often featuring house-made bitters. The bar has a warm, stylish ambiance, reminiscent of a speakeasy, with soft lighting and jazz music. It’s a popular destination for those seeking a unique cocktail experience and a throwback to the Prohibition era. The prices are affordable and the menu balances classic and inventive drinks.
The bartenders are known for their skill and enjoy discussing old and new drinks. I ordered a Ward 11 which is the evolution of the Ward 8, which was a classic highball from the 1940s, 50’s and was said to be Humphrey Bogart’s favourite mixed drink.
Cocktail Bar is located on Dundas West, a short walk from Ossington Avenue, making it a great spot to include in a night out in the area. The restaurant can get quite loud and busy, especially during peak hours, due to its popularity and half-off happy hour deals. Cocktail Hour 5 – 7 every day and have any cocktail you want for $10! Cocktail Bar also offers a selection of food, including Iberian-style tapas.
Cocktail Bar was originally conceived as a waiting room for the Black Hoof, a Carnivore restaurant which opened in 2008 but is now closed. After fifteen years, it continues to be a vibrant and beautiful place to have a few cocktails. The owners strive to find a balance between classic and innovative cocktails. This venue is best described as more of an experience than just a bar, offering a unique and memorable time.
BarChef – 472 Queen St. W.
If you’re in the company of someone who doesn’t share your palate for brown spirits, BarChef is the perfect in-between. They offer new and eclectic cocktails alongside their extensive whisky and scotch lists. This bar in Toronto’s Queen West neighbourhood is the perfect location for intimate conversation.
The dimly lit, stylish scotch whisky bar is a popular choice for those seeking a new luxury experience. BarChef also offers a small selection of snacks for those also feeling peckish, like smoked mackerel rillettes and Japanese fried chicken.
We hope this article will help you find your favourite whiskey bar in Toronto.
Sarah Do Couto is a Toronto-based writer interested in people, art, and internet culture. She is the former chief copy editor at the Ryerson Review of Journalism and the former editor-in-chief of Her Campus Ryerson.
