The Toronto Bar Hop: 3 Streets to Go On a 'Vibe' Bender
The bar hop. An artform, really. Moving from vibe to vibe. A drink here, a pint there. A calculated risk taken when settling a tab and reopening another down the street. When done right, it's the makings of a perfect night. A little ADD-style, sure, but that's what's perfect about the bar hop: Your attention never wavers...unless you're in blithe company, of course. To maximize your night, here are three great Toronto strips perfect for the hopping imbibers.
For the Hipster-Lite: Ossington
Roncesvalles may be in a renaissance and attracting thick-framed, tight-jeaned counter-yet-mainstream-cultured hipsters, but Ossington is still tops for the never-on-King-Street crew. Great restaurants like Boehmer and Pizzeria Libretto brought the rest of Toronto to this strip, but neighbourhood hangsters have frequented Ossington for years.
Where to Hop: Dakota Tavern, Reposado, Our House, The Painted Lady, Sweaty Betty's, and Watusi.
For the 'Seensters': King West
King West has been the pride and joy of those who love to be seen out at the lounges and bars on any given night. The gentrified strip attracts young Bay Street professionals, six-inch-high-heeled lovelies in a constant state of dress adjustment, and those who just want to step into party mode post 10pm. Here's where you'll get your civilized freak on before ankles start rolling just past the stroke of midnight.
Hop-able Spots: Brassaii, Hey Lucy, Bier Markt, Fynn's of Temple Bar, The Banknote, The Thompson Hotel (any one of the bars there), the lounge at Luma, and SPiN Toronto.
For Everyone Else: West Queen West
You gotta love West Queen West. This cultural and urban hotbed is awash with any style joint to appease and whet most everyone's appetite. You can walk along the strip past Trinity Bellwoods Park and inevitably find one – or eight – bars worthy of your patronage. You'll find one of the most mixed scenes here, so for those with, shall we say, over-discerned palates, you might want to do your research before flying blind.
Bar Hop Beauties: The Drake Hotel, Gladstone Hotel's Melody Bar, Nyood, Brooklynn Bar, Czehoski, Mavrik Wine Bar, Beaconsfield, County General, and The Dog's Bollocks.
Image by Roxy Hunt & Tony Castle for SPiN Toronto
