Aliu IsaToronto literally has hundreds of bars, and as you know, we’ve written about a fair share of them. Whether they’re focused on sports, wine, blues, or activities, we visited them all.
And sure, we all have our go-to holes-in-the-wall, but there are times when we just want to go somewhere fresh and new, which I did. Repeatedly, and with no regrets!
Yep, I’ve checked out the best new bars in Toronto, and I’m here to tell you which ones live up to the hype. Grab your friends and map out an epic bar crawl that’ll have you raving about these amazing drink dens (until your friends get sick of you).
Sounds Good
Media credit: 1756dundas
Website: https://www.soundsgoodtoronto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundsgoodtoronto/
Address: 1756 Dundas St W
Hours:
- Wednesday: 8 AM – 3 PM, 6 PM – 12 AM
- Friday: 8 AM – 3 PM, 6 PM – 2 AM
- Saturday: 8 AM – 2 AM
- Sunday: 8 AM – 10 PM
Contact: Sounds Good Contact Form
Must-Order: The Toronto
Tucked into Brockton Village, Sounds Good is a chill new bar that offers great music and solid eats. It’s a dual-level space with a restaurant up top and a weekend dance floor below, all soundtracked by an amazing playlist that skips the mainstream.
In addition to cool tunes, music lovers will appreciate the DJ booth on the side, often hosting record collectors spinning their finds.
Here, you’ll find seasonal plates—with ingredients from their rooftop garden— created by Chef Corbeil (formerly of Alo). A crowd favorite is their half-dozen oysters.
And if it’s after 10 PM, you can grab a late-night snack at Sounds Good. They offer yummy pub fare like corn dogs to refuel you before hitting the dance floor (again!).
Pro Tip:
My go-to drink here? The Toronto—a bold twist on the Manhattan, mixing rye, fernet, and demerara. Try it if you like spirit-forward cocktails.
Compton Ave.
Media credit: foodiesxto
Website: https://www.comptonave.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barcomptonave/
Address: 1282 Dundas St W
Hours:
- Tue – Wed, Sun: 6 PM – 1 AM
- Thursday: 6 PM – 2 AM
- Friday: 5 PM – 2 AM
- Saturday: 4 PM – 2 AM
Contact: (647) 398-9667
Must-Order: Umami Old Fashioned
Right on Dundas West, Compton Ave. is a sleek new cocktail bar that brings major London energy to Toronto’s bar scene. No wonder, since it was inspired by one of the swankiest addresses in the UK capital!
And swanky it is alright, with its rich mahogany tones, vintage chandeliers, and fancy fabrics. It feels like a modern-day salon inside a Victorian townhouse.
As expected, the food leans into British pub fare but with a serious glow-up. You’ll get a fancy version of Scotch eggs, a Yorkshire pudding with black truffle, or a yummy Roasted Bone Marrow with shallot marmalade.
Drinks-wise, what they serve is legit, which comes as no surprise since it’s owned by a Toronto mixology icon. I love their Umami Old Fashioned (Japanese whisky meets soy, maple, pandan, and smoky Lapsang tea)—weird on paper, but it sneaks up on you.
Pro Tip:
Compton Ave. doesn’t take reservations, so show up early if you want a seat without the wait. Keep in mind that with a space this gorgeous, it fills up fast.
Civil Works
Media credit: civwrksto
Website: https://www.waterworksfoodhall.com/restaurants/civil-works
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/civwrksto/
Address: 50 Brant St
Hours: Mon – Sun: 5 PM – 2 AM
Contact: [email protected]
Must-Order: Equilibrium
Civil Works is an Art Deco gem perched on the mezzanine level with a view of Waterworks Food Hall below, as well as floating art installations above. Brought to life by the team behind Civil Liberties, it ranked 55 on North America’s 50 Best Bars list.
Leading the bar is Elise Hanson, crowned Most Imaginative Bartender 2024 by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. I can’t get enough of her signature drink, Equilibrium—made with Bombay Sapphire, Calvados, and Manzanilla sherry.
In addition to amazing cocktails, they also serve wine, beer, and a unique spirits-and-water pairing menu.
The bar itself is a stunner—sophisticated but not intimidating at all. It’s no surprise that it has been featured heavily on Forbes, Toronto Life, Curiocity, and more.
Pro Tip:
Head over to Civil Works after 11 PM to catch their nightly Happy Hour. You’ll get access to expertly crafted cocktails without the premium price tag.
Charlemagne Cocktail Bar
Media credit: charlemagnecocktailbar
Website: https://toptorontoclubs.com/project/charlemagne-cocktail-bar-toronto/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlemagnecocktailbar/
Address: 100 Portland St
Hours:
- Mon – Wed, Sun: 5 PM – 12 AM
- Thurs – Sat: 5 PM – 2 AM
Contact: https://www.instagram.com/charlemagnecocktailbar
Must-Order: The Verona
Located above Cafe Renee, Charlemagne Cocktail Bar is one of those rare Toronto gems that feels like you’ve stepped back in time.
Specifically, it looks like a 1940s Parisian speakeasy, with room for about 25 guests. It has warm wood paneling, rich brown leather seats, and a glowing, color-coded bar that creates the perfect low-lit setting for slow sips.
Behind the bar, mixologist Gus offers a cocktail list that blends old-world classics with bespoke creations. A must-try is The Verona, a tangy, herbal mix of gin infused with green olive leaf, lime leaf cordial, lemon juice, Aperol, and Cointreau.
Not sure what drink to order? Just tell any Charlemagne bartender your go-to spirits or flavor preferences. They’ll either guide you to a perfect match or whip up a custom cocktail that hits all the right notes.
Pro Tip:
If you want something to nibble on, take a peek at Chef Nick Liu’s dumpling-only menu. You can choose from shrimp har gow, veggie potstickers, and DaiLo’s beloved pork-and-shrimp wontons.
Low Bar
Media credit: l0w_bar
Website: http://www.lowbar.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l0w_bar/
Address: 1426 Bloor St W
Hours: Mon – Sun: 4 PM – 2 AM
Contact: (416) 672-0272
Must-Order: Guinness
Low Bar in the Junction Triangle is a jammin’ little dive bar that feels like your coolest friend’s basement—but with way better drinks.
I love its wooden ceilings, vintage knick-knacks, and central bar, where it’s easy to spark up a convo with strangers. Make sure to check out the bathrooms—they’re said to be the cutest, best-lit bathrooms in the city (mirror selfies, anyone?).
As for the drink list, they’ve got everything from Miller High Life to natural wines and craft cocktails—it’s back to basics here, so I typically just get a Guinness. I pair it with their unlimited popcorn or Anna’s pickled egg, and I’m all good.
Don’t miss their rotating events, from DJ sets to karaoke nights. Just check their socials for updates!
Pro Tip:
Besides Low Bar’s bar snacks, there’s no real food on offer here. You might want to eat somewhere (maybe Kibo Sushi or Thai Nyyom nearby) before heading over.
Shrinking Violet
Media credit: myshrinkingviolet
Website: https://toptorontoclubs.com/project/shrinking-violet-toronto/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myshrinkingviolet
Address: 828 Bloor St W
Hours:
- Mon – Thurs: 4 PM – 12 AM
- Fri – Sat: 2 PM – 2 AM
- Sunday: 2 PM – 12 AM
Contact: (437) 473-5145
Must-Order: The Violet 75
Shrinking Violet is a women-owned bar in an elegant space that looks partly Victorian and partly Alice in Wonderland whimsy—and it’s dog-friendly, too!
I’m in love with their signature cocktail, The Violet 75, made with gin, lemon, prosecco, and violette syrup. It’s bright, bubbly, and beautifully balanced.
I like that this bar isn’t tiny—it can fit up to 40 guests, with a lovely little nook downstairs (imagine mismatched seating and shelves of reading material). Upstairs, you have a garden straight from a fairytale, with hanging plants and fairy lights.
Keep an eye on their events calendar. They often host community nights, including cabaret and burlesque shows.
Pro Tip:
Unlike other bars, Shrinking Violet offers lots of food options—you’ll find a mix of salty nibbles like chips, marinated olives, and roasted red pepper muhammara. If you want something heartier, they also serve pizzas from Pizzeria Libretto.
No Vacancy
Media credit: novacancyto
Website: https://www.novacancybar.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novacancyto
Address: 74 Ossington Ave
Hours:
- Tue – Wed, Sun: 5 PM – 1 AM
- Thurs – Sat: 5 PM – 2 AM
Contact: https://www.novacancybar.ca/contact
Must-Order: Shiso Shiso by the Seashore
No Vacancy is a lively cocktail bar that delivers handcrafted cocktails and globally inspired eats.
Speaking of handcrafted cocktails, I recommend the Shiso Shiso by the Seashore, made with shiso-infused Citadelle gin, St-Germain, and Bianco vermouth. It’s light, floral, and fizzy in the best way.
But if you’re not into cocktails, you can also order beer, sake, and Japanese whiskey, as well as red and white wines.
The vibe is very moody with its deep blue walls, bright orange accents, and warm lighting, along with landscape paintings and Japanese pottery. The long bar is the heart of the space, stretching across half the room.
Pro Tip:
Good news, plant-lovers! No Vacancy has vegan and vegetarian-friendly food options too! Try their Broccolini with sauce soubise and fried shallots, or the Baby Gem Salad with jalapeno crema, wasabi peas, and pecorino.
Slice of Life
Media credit: sliceoflifebar
Website: https://www.sliceoflifebar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sliceoflifebar/
Address: 409 College St
Hours:
- Mon, Wed, Sun: 7 PM – 12 AM
- Thurs – Sat: 7 PM – 2 AM
Contact: (416) 504-0409
Must-Order: Tom Collins
Slice of Life is a gorgeous lounge located in Little Italy. It has a focus on locally sourced ingredients (all within 100 km!), earning it a spot on North America’s Top 100 Bars.
Red booths line the walls, and warm LED lights glow softly. But the bright red bar in the middle steals the spotlight—you can grab a seat at the bar and watch the bartenders work their magic, mixing cocktails with serious skill.
A must-order is the Tom Collins, made with gin, absinthe, mint, and lime. But the cool part is the fizzy mix of clarified cucumber and celery juice instead of soda water.
Now, if you’re going with a group of six or more, just be aware that they place an automatic 20% tip added to the bill. Don’t worry—the service is worth it.
Pro Tip:
Walking through Slice of Life’s stunning mirrored hallway is definitely an Insta-worthy moment! You should pause and angle your camera just right to catch that infinite-reflection effect.
Chamberlain’s Pony Bar
Media credit: chamberlainsponybar
Website: https://www.chamberlainsponybar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chamberlainsponybar
Address: 585 King St W
Hours: Mon – Sun: 3 PM – 2 AM
Contact: https://resy.com/cities/toronto-on/venues/chamberlains-pony-bar
Must-Order: Strawberry Jam
Chamberlain’s Pony Bar is the spot to be if you’re craving classic margaritas, colorful cocktails, and all the tacos you could ever want. Yep, Carne Asada, Chorizo, Pollo, and Fish Tacos, they have it all!
Folks sensitive to gluten aren’t left out, either—all their tacos can be made with corn tortillas. Plus, their guac and chips are gluten-free, too.
While I love their tiered layout (low booths are tucked up a few steps, while the rest of the room is lined with high-top tables), note that it’s not the most wheelchair-friendly setup. One small win—they do have an accessible washroom.
For a budget-friendly night out, I recommend you swing by Chamberlain’s between 3 PM and 7 PM for Happy Hour deals. Or you could check out their affordable Late Night Menu from 10 PM until closing.
Pro Tip:
As for my drinks reco, that would be their Strawberry Jam cocktail (a grown-up version of toast and jam in a glass). It’s made with house-infused strawberry syrup, lemon, and just a touch of coffee.
Suite 115
Media credit: asianbabefinds
Website: https://www.suite115.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suite115.to/
Address: 532 College St
Hours: Mon – Sun: 5:30 PM – 2 AM
Contact: [email protected]
Must-Order: The Old Man
Suite 115 is one of Toronto’s hidden gems—literally. From the street, you’d never guess that there’s a secret speakeasy tucked behind an unmarked, circular entrance—plus, you need a passcode to get in (don’t worry, it’s easy to find).
Their cocktail menu is inventive, and their signature drink, The Old Man, has gone viral with good reason. It’s a clarified Hong Kong Milk Tea Old-Fashioned made with a neutral spirit, whey, and their house milk tea blend.
While drinks are the main draw, they also serve surprisingly great bites. Mom’s Dumplings is a crowd pleaser—pan-fried chive and pork dumplings served with house chili oil and soy gastrique.
Note that they have a super secret menu, but you’ll have to solve a riddle to unlock it. Good luck!
Pro Tip:
Unfortunately, Suite 115 does not accept reservations. I recommend showing up super early (like five-ish) if you want to grab a good seat.
