Fun and entertainment Ontario

Located in the heart of the Entertainment District, this location brings together three specialties under one roof. It offers coffee from local roasters, a selection of oysters that changes every day it's open and the largest collection of bubbles in the city. Chef Olivia Seymour prepares succulent gourmet dishes that pair perfectly with the liquor menu: caviar, cheese and charcuterie, tuna tartar, beef carpaccio, fried chicken and more. Mention should also be made of the refined and chic decor and of the secret restaurant, À Toi.

Craft beer lovers, you won't be disappointed here! The place claims to have the largest selection in the province, with some 160 beers on tap. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy it all in the 250 seat beer garden! Otherwise the place is gigantic, spread over two floors, and attracts crowds at all hours, especially during Happy Hours. You can also have a good meal with an international menu (tacos, poke bowls, Korean fried chicken, burgers, etc.). Other branches in the country.

Open since summer 2022, this cocktail bar is THE new trendy spot in Yorkville to have a drink in an incredible decor evoking the Mid-century style, all signed by designer Lisa Ho. The cocktail list is broken down into categories including martinis, bubbles, vintage reserves, classics and more. The quality is there, as is the luxury if we judge by the Sazerac cocktail which also includes a portion of caviar. At the bar, the atmosphere is relaxed and subdued, and in the lounge, you can sway to the sound of the DJ.

Opened in 2015 in the Bloordale Village neighborhood, Burdock Microbrewery draws its inspiration from refreshing beers, whether they're Pale Ale, Sour (sour), Saison or German Lager, for example. It also produces Grape Ales, one of its specialties, which is a fusion between beer and wine, like its Lees aged with the lees of Chardonnay. We also recommend trying the house cuisine, which includes snacks (oysters, cheeses, cold cuts, etc.), burgers and seasonal dishes. Brunch on weekends.

Established in the Little Portugal neighborhood, Cry Baby Gallery is a standout address in Toronto, uniting the arts with cocktails. Indeed, when you step inside, the front room is an art gallery with exhibitions that change over the weeks and months (see Instagram page for programming). In the back, behind a thick curtain, is the hidden speakeasy-style bar. Hyper-subdued atmosphere, industrial chic look and nice choice of signature cocktails to chill out between two exhibitions.

In the Corktown neighborhood, there's an address that's worth a visit, opened by two friends with a passion for coffee, cocktails and good food. And that's what Henrietta Lane is all about: coffee by day, cocktails by night and tasty snacks for those little munchies. The menu also includes craft beers (very nice selection), seltzers, ciders, wines (by the glass or by the bottle) and tutti quanti. A small food menu accompanies the whole without forgetting the corner provisions to bring back at home all kinds of greedy products and alcohols.

Located in the Entertainment District, this address unites coffee, wine and good food in one place. A gourmet menu with Italian accents is offered on weekdays from 11am (2pm on weekends), and the weekend brunch is in the same vein with its frittata of the day or its Italian-style French toast. If in the morning you come to enjoy an espresso prepared according to the rules of the art, in the evening you can opt for one of the excellent wines served by the glass or by the bottle. Bonus: the place also has a bottega where you can buy fine products and wine to take away.

Open since 2007 on the shores of Lake Ontario, BMO Field is the official home of the Argonauts American football team, a member in good standing of the Canadian Football League. This is also the home of the professional soccer team, Toronto FC, a member of Major League Soccer. Namely, the venue is only open during the seasons of each of these two teams (March to October for soccer, June to November for football), plus pre-season games and championships after the regular season.

The originality of this sports complex lies in its fully retractable roof (the operation takes 20 minutes and costs a few hundred dollars). The Rogers Centre is the home of the local baseball team, the Blue Jays. In fact, from some of the rooms at the Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel and from the Sportsnet Grill restaurant, you will have a breathtaking view of the ballpark. The hotel also hosts a variety of shows and events. For shows and events, visit Live Nation.

Formerly the Air Canada Centre, this large complex, with a maximum capacity of nearly 20,000, hosts many major shows. From music to youth shows to ice prowess, there is something for everyone. Scotiabank Arena is also well known as the home of the Maple Leafs (NHL professional field hockey players), the Raptors (NBA professional basketball players) and the Rocks (lacrosse, members of the National Lacrosse League). Stores and restaurants on site.

The all-graffiti sign is both intriguing and vaguely scary. The atmosphere is electric and friendly, and the live concerts energetic (check the website for the program and the theme nights). Well-known place of the punk-rock scene, the bar is frequented by a rather young population. A classic place to party until late (3am-4am, which is rare in Toronto!) and listen to good "indie" sound. Sneaky Dee's also serves a tex-mex cuisine as copious as cheap.

Opened a few years ago just above its big brother, the Khao San Road Thai restaurant, Bang Sue Bar specializes in cocktails and craft beer (mostly from Ontario). It also serves Thai and Asian-inspired snacks like fish balls with yellow curry sauce and fried chicken with sriracha hot sauce. Oysters are also featured on the slate on a regular basis. Mention should be made of the décor with its colorful lighting and the large mural by artist Jimmy Chiale. An address to discover!

If you want to have a drink away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist industry and meet some locals, this is the place to come! All wood and brick, with a vintage touch here and there, this little place is pretty cool and quiet when it opens before getting crowded later in the evening during live shows. We tasted craft beers and house cocktails, all to the sound of an excellent local band that made us stay up late... A huge favorite for this new address off the beaten track!

Located in the heart of the Byward Market, The Rainbow has been a legendary blues venue for nearly four decades. The two-storey venue has a mountain lodge feel with a fireplace, large wooden beams, brick and stone walls. Prices at the bar are reasonable. Check the website for the full lineup (tickets can be purchased online or at the door - sometimes cheaper in advance). A true Ottawa party institution!

Open since the winter of 2018, this microbrewery is worth checking out. Located near the train station, straddling the Walkerville and Ford City neighborhoods, Chapter Two has set up a small tasting room adjacent to its brewing facilities. Among the house brews are its English ale with a malty flavor and a sweet caramel twist, and its West Coast IPA with citrus notes. Bonus: a gourmet menu and live entertainment.

When you set foot inside, you feel like you're in a beer garden, with large wooden tables and small white lights hanging from the ceiling. Actually, that's pretty much the concept. In this spirit, it is not surprising to see the long list of beers from Canada, the United States and Europe. And, of course, a nice selection of homemade sausages is on the slate for both small and large appetites (vegetarian options available). A nice place to go out, which we recommend

Oenophiles have found their address in town! In this cozy little bar-resto, the wooden shelves showcase a fine selection of wines, from Tuscany to small European producers. The kitchen offers a few dishes, such as raw kanpachi (lime) fish, that pair perfectly with the tasty elixirs. All wines are selected with love and are available by the glass. A big plus, which allows to vary the pleasures, without ruining oneself.

Named after the famous fake jazzman, played by Sean Penn in Agreements and Disagreements, The Emmet Ray is a place for jazz and whiskey enthusiasts. On the menu: a selection of 230 bottles. It must be said that the owner knows all about it. The whiskies come from all over the world. To satisfy a small hunger, try the famous Ray Reuben sandwich, a real delight. Whether it's in the lounge, near the big glass window overlooking the street, or in the small back room, where the different bands play, it feels like home.

Mostly frequented by a student population, a few meters from Cabana Pool Bar (same owners), Rebel is spread over a huge space with a stage more than 20 meters long. Facing Lake Ontario, with a view on the skyline, here we saw things in a big way: performances, real sound and light shows, video projections... To see it, it's here. Music: Top 40, hip-hop, R&B, Soca, live shows. Check the website for the evening's schedule and ticket prices (if applicable).

What was Uniun until 2018 has made way for the Toybox club, run by the same team behind Rebel, Cabana Pool Bar and Cube Nightclub. Housed in an incredible space, where state-of-the-art technology aesthetically blends with industrial architecture, you'll see great art in terms of visual projections and move to the beat of the sound of a state-of-the-art multi-dimensional system. Alternating between local and international DJs, the nightclub is, at the time of writing, a "place to be" in Toronto.

This vast cultural center is located directly on the waterfront of Toronto. The venue hosts music, dance and theater performances. You will not fail to notice its immense glass surface, a work of art entitled Waterglass and created by Canadian artist Sarah Hall. Harbourfront Centre is home to several performance venues such as the Fleck Dance Theatre and the Harbourfront Centre Theatre, as well as art galleries (including The Power Plant) and even restaurants.

Founded in 1970, the theatre's mission is to promote exclusively Canadian works, which has made it a highly coveted base camp for Canadian artists over the past 50 years. It is also an ideal place for emerging Canadians to present original, high-quality pieces. Trying to valorize emerging and different paths, here is a nice address to make discoveries. Mention of the two buildings that house the theatre, which are part of the city's heritage.

This is the club in Toronto to sway to the rhythm of world music. Latino, salsa, bachata, reggae, jazz, etc. all styles are represented and the atmosphere is really joyful. It must be said that live musicians - not to mention DJs - are often in charge of the musical entertainment. Lula Lounge also offers a dinner show on Fridays and Saturdays as well as an à la carte menu for lunch and dinner at its Havana Lounge (three restaurants in a pop-up formula). An address that contrasts sharply with the atmosphere of the downtown clubs.

Coda is THE place to listen to house music at full throttle, but also to the Top 40, techno (the place received the big names of Detroit techno in December 2019!) and other EDM-type music. The club regularly displays a beautiful program of internationally recognized artists. For those who don't like to be glued together too tightly, be aware that the dance floor is huge and leaves plenty of room to breathe. Consult the website for the evening program and ticket prices (if applicable).

The formula is simple: take a bunch of friends, a passion for food, wine and beer and you get Boxcar Social, one of Toronto's trendy coffee bars. This Riverside location, just before Leslieville, is the second spot opened by the trendy little company. You'll find a nice selection of draught beers, as well as a beautiful wine rack, which has replaced the books in this former bookstore. Beautiful design and a love of doing things right are ingredients that work quite well. Other locations in Toronto.

One of The Annex's best craft beer spots, Crafty Coyote offers a great selection of beers, mostly from Ontario microbreweries, on draft or in cans, as well as house beers, ciders and a slate of gourmet dishes. The latter is in the style of pub food, offering burgers, fish & chips, grilled meats, poutine and deli meats with sides. Without a doubt, a very popular place in the neighborhood. To be discovered!

Tallboy's claims it has one of the largest selections of Ontario beers. And we have to admit, that alone would be enough to convince us to pay a visit. But that's not all. The bar is located in the rapidly changing Koreatown neighbourhood, which the owners make a point of celebrating. Try their great Koreatown-style burger and follow the advice of these beer enthusiasts.

Fans and connoisseurs alike agree: Sawdust City's beers are a pure gem! From the West Coast IPA to the Baltic Porter, the Pilsner and the Best Bitter, they'll take you on a journey through a fabulous world of flavors. To discover them, take a tour of the tasting room, nicknamed the Saloon. There is a constant 18 cask lines (house and guest beers) as well as a pub-style gourmet menu and a food truck in season. Bonus: live entertainment is presented every Saturday night at 8pm.

Those who know Stone City Brew Co. won't be too disappointed. Three friends, who run Something in the Water microbrewery in Toronto, have taken over the small Kingston brewery to make it their^second location. It has the same employees as the Stone City brewery and many of the beers that made it famous. In addition to the house beers, the new team has also started distilling with its Canadian whisky.

Lost And Found is a trendy address focused on top 40 music and hip-hop. The population is mainly made up of hipsters and young professionals, reflecting the image of the neighbourhood. If you don't want to stand in line for hours, we suggest you register on the guest list. Please note that before midnight, admission is always free for ladies, and for gentlemen, admission is reduced to $10 CAN. Consult the website for the evening program and ticket prices (if applicable).

A nice café, not far from the waterfront, Tamp Coffee offers a nice selection of hot drinks and clever mixes for coffee cocktails. If dairy products are not your cup of tea, it is possible to have your drink with almond or soy milk. Small pastries, pastries and sandwiches are also on the menu. You can sit by the windows and watch the people go by in this trendy part of Burlington. Another location on Brant Street.

Wondering where the locals can go in such a touristic place? Here is your answer. This microbrewery, located in an old church, offers a friendly, rather young and relaxed atmosphere. The kitchen is installed on the altar, the church benches have been requisitioned, the barrels are wedged under the large stained glass windows. But not everything is only in the decor: Silversmith also wins awards for its superb selection of homemade beers.

Clearly our new favorite place in town to enjoy a good craft beer, Counterpart Brewing is a refreshing new addition. Open since 2019, this microbrewery, set back from the hustle and bustle of Niagara Falls, concocts tasty nectars with a clear penchant for IPAs. You can accompany it all with a gourmet dish with generous portions such as a fried chicken sandwich, grilled fish tacos or one of the daily specials. Bonus: there's a store on site where you can take home hop souvenirs.

Located in the heart of James Street, where the city's best addresses are located, the Merit microbrewery is worth a visit. We like the tasting room with its large wooden tables that we share with the other guests. In the glass, house nectars that go from Imperial Stout brewed with Ethiopian coffee from the Detour Coffee roaster to the cold hopped Saison brewed with orange peels and Indian coriander. It is accompanied by a tasty dish such as mac & cheese or homemade sausages.

The ambition of Dave Longbottom, owner of this microbrewery open since 2017, is to share his experience as a great traveler and beer lover. In this former garage converted into a bar, he offers a nice variety of house beers such as his Northeast IPA, his dry-hopped sour beer or his Imperial Stout (a store corner allows you to fill up to take away). There is also a gourmet menu with perogies, duck confit, pan-fried cod, etc., all topped off with delicious desserts such as the white chocolate cheesecake.

This performing arts center belongs to Queen's University. The building itself is worth a visit, the first project on Canadian soil by the renowned Norwegian architect Snøhetta in collaboration with the Ottawa firm N45. It presents different concert series ranging from symphonic ensembles to chamber music, jazz, shows for young audiences, etc. The Kingston Canadian Film Festival presents some of its programming here.

Luc "Bim" Lafontaine, former brewmaster at Dieu du Ciel in Montreal, opened his own brewery in east Toronto after spending some time in Japan. The country of the Rising Sun is the inspiration for several of the brews (green tea IPA, yuzu Saison...), while the gourmet side of things is provided by the Italian restaurant Mattachioni. The microbrewery has also developed a nice range of Czech lagers. As for the decor, it is resolutely industrial with a few nods to Japan, of course.

Probably the best place in town to taste craft beers made in Ontario. More than 20 different beers from the province are on the menu, always including at least one cask beer. You'll find little gems from Bellwoods, Bench, Blood Brothers, Godspeed, The Exchange and Wellington, among others. For those who are a little peckish, a gastro-pub type menu is offered with a nice selection of regional or homemade products. A nice address to discover!

Located just a few steps from Kensington Market, this little place is worth a visit. During the day, it's mainly for its good specialty coffees and gourmet dishes (cheese platter, sandwiches of all kinds, Tex-Mex nachos, etc.), while in the evening, the place transforms into a cocktail bar with a selection that will surely please the amateurs. Ontario craft beers and privately imported wines are also offered, to be consumed on site or to take away. Small boutique corner with gourmet products.

Located in Yorkville, the chic Windsor Arms Hotel has been offering the famous afternoon tea ritual for almost a century. A true gourmet tradition, it offers a superb selection of teas, including fair trade and/or organic, but also infusions, cocktails and even decaffeinated teas. As far as delicacies are concerned, the great classics are on the menu: tasty scones, home-made pastries, small sandwiches, etc. And what about the two superb rooms where you can enjoy everything!

If you have to elbow your way through the small space, you'll soon be compensated by the excellent atmosphere and, above all, by the menu of craft beers (scotch and whisky lovers will also be pleased). More than twenty beers on tap are offered, most of them from Ontario. The menu also includes a nice selection of bottled beers, including several private imports. On the plate, there are snacks, dishes to share and flavours from around the world, not to mention the oysters at $1 CAN on Monday and Tuesday.

A family-owned and operated nanobrewery since 1985, Volo is one of the pioneers of Toronto's craft brewing scene (St. Nicholas Street). It is joined by Birreria Volo in the Little Italy neighborhood. Nearly 30 beers are on tap, mostly from Ontario. But its big asset is its beer cellar called Cantina where you can find many great beers from Europe (Belgium) and the United States in private importation. On the food side, the house serves a variety of small dishes inspired by Italy.

Get Well specializes in Ontario craft beers, with about 15 types on tap, not to mention a menu of bottled beers with North American and European vintages. We would like to say that the list of bottles is really long and well stocked, despite a few vintages from large industrial breweries that we could have done without. The atmosphere is relaxed, with a vintage decor and a section of old arcades that will please the nostalgic. Mention should also be made of the succulent homemade pizzas.

Founded in 1986, this craft brewery was a pioneer in Ontario and is definitely a must for your night out. In addition to the beers brewed on site, the long list of single malt scotches and whiskies will amaze you. They also offer simple, generous and oh so delicious dishes! Burgers, sandwiches, grilled meats, fish & chips and other specialties of the place will gladly be accompanied by a glass of house beer. To be enjoyed in their superb backyard or on the front terrace in season!