Fun and entertainment Toronto & Area

Sometimes we make unexpected discoveries while wandering through the city. And what a nice surprise this nice microbrewery located right next to the Broadview Hotel! We loved the Let's Go Exploring, a double IPA with pine, citrus and melon flavors, as well as the Justacuppacawfee, an oatmeal coffee stout. For any beer craze, there is a refrigerated area next to the bar where you can take home the beers you liked. You can also have a snack on the spot (mention the weekend brunch, kitchen closed on Monday).

Opening in the summer of 2019, this address stands out from the rest. Firstly, the decor: trees inside and small strings of white lights hanging that give us the impression of being on the terrace. Secondly, the prices: several cocktails at low prices without forgetting the pizzas and other nibbles. Third, the atmosphere: punk-rock music during our passage with the old episodes of the famous Canadian series Degrassi on the TV screens (nostalgia, when you hold us!). In short, we loved it!

Opened a few years ago, it is one of the best places to go out in the Danforth district. As soon as you step in, you'll know that the place is specialized with its refrigerators full of craft beers. For those who want a stronger aperitif, the house offers whiskies, bourbons, gins and the like. There is also a small food menu, with snacks, poutines, sandwiches, burgers, etc. We love the back room, which gives the impression of being on a terrace, with its large wooden tables and its string of lights on the ceiling.

From amateur brewers to professionals of the beer world, Stéphane and Shehzad are behind the beautiful project that is Bandit Brewery. Established in the heart of Roncesvalles, the microbrewery has not been empty since its opening, and for good reason. The place is beautiful, especially in summer when you can enjoy your pint in the beer garden. In the glass, beers of all styles including a sour beer with cherries and blackberries, an IPA with wildflower honey or barley wine aged in bourbon barrels. The gourmet menu is also up to the task.

This jazz and blues club plunges you into a singular musical atmosphere, with a touch of nostalgia. Is it because of the historic district, the Flatiron Building just a stone's throw from the establishment, or is it because celebrities like Prince or Tom Jones have trodden its stage? Still, this historic club and its hushed atmosphere make it a point of honour to welcome a different group every evening. And you know what they say, when the music's good... The place also offers a menu with tapas, pizzas, sandwiches and other small dishes.

Located in the Delta Toronto Hotel, this beautiful design establishment is a whisky mecca, offering the largest selection of Canadian whiskies in Toronto. We recommend the tasting palettes, each of which is declined according to an origin or a brand, such as the palette dedicated to Nikka products. The place also concocts an array of classic and signature cocktails, and some wines and beers are on the slate. For those who are a little peckish, gourmet dishes are offered (definitely try the salted caramel and whiskey cake).

It's hard to miss the building of this microbrewery: it is covered with large murals. Art is highlighted here, even on the labels of the beers featuring indie music bands and visual artists. To discover the delicious house nectars, nothing beats a trip to the superb beer garden adjacent to the installations (several places inside as well). The place also concocts artisanal ciders, gins and rums, not to mention a second branch in Toronto to double the pleasure.

Founded in 2005, Nickel Brook has a great reputation on the Ontario brewing scene. What's more, for the past few years, the microbrewery has been experimenting with small batches for its limited editions, in addition to using bourbon and pinot noir barrels to age its beers. Its brand new tasting room offers about twenty beers in barrels, without forgetting the boutique corner where you can stock up on homemade nectars and items bearing the effigy of the microbrewery. Another branch in Etobicoke.

Emblematic address of the Queen City, flanked by its colorful and graffiti-filled frontage, Lee's Palace is a show bar that is really worth a visit. The place is divided into two levels, depending on whether you want to be quiet with your beer or to sway in front of the stage. Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins and Oasis have already played at Lee's. The Dance Cave, a nightclub open on Friday and Saturday and offering alternative and indie music, is also on site.

Since its creation in the early 1990s, this bar with its more than original decoration has seduced lovers of rock, retro 80's, punk, glam, metal, funk from the 70's and British pop. The front is quite, shall we say, interesting, since it is surrounded by bicycle carcasses and other scrap metal of unknown origin. Impossible to pass by without noticing her! The interior is in the same tone, garage atmosphere. A sign of good health, the bar is crowded, and people are elbowing each other to order their beer. Nice evening entertainment program.

Located in the heart of the trendy Yorkville district, Hemingway's New Zealand bar is the ideal place to have a good time. The four terraces in the summer are very popular with regulars who come to relax with friends or couples. Open for more than 40 years, it is a true institution in Toronto. Bonus: shows, quiz nights and sports games on giant screens. Don't miss: the celebrations of the national holidays of Australia and New Zealand as well as St. Patrick's Day.

Located in an alley, one could easily pass by the brewery without seeing it. We thank the poster put on Greenwood which indicates us the way! The place reminds us of the American breweries with its tasting room installed a few steps from the tanks. Knowing that the brewery enjoys a good reputation, we wanted to taste everything. We liked the Greenwood IPA with its juicy flavours, as well as the Squeeze Play Bumbleberry, a sour beer with field fruits, and the If You Hear Any Noise, a sour beer with a black forest cake taste.

A tiny place too cute with its tapestries and retro frames, or with its mismatched chairs in the room next to the main bar. Eulalie's Corner Store is an address to discover if you like craft beer and cocktails. The selection may not be exhaustive, but it is perfect for a drink with friends. The food is also worth a visit, offering the fried chicken sandwich, the grilled vegetable wrap, the American Southwestern burger or the mac & cheese with fried Brussels sprouts.

A classic in the Cabbagetown area for over thirty years, this coffee shop has not aged a bit. The place still attracts its regulars who come to surf the web while sipping a good latte with a home-made sweet. Founded by a bicycle enthusiast in 1992, as the bike perched on top of the bar testifies, Jet Fuel is also highly frequented by the city's cycling community. In short, the place is nice and offers visual art exhibitions that change every month!