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Does Toronto have any speakeasy-type cocktail bars?

post #1 of 18
9/11/10 at 3:01pm
Thread Starter 
I'm thinking something along the lines of PDT in NY, or Franklin Mortgage in Philly (i.e. smallish with creative cocktails made with real, fresh ingredients). I know there's the Toronto Temperance Society, but I don't want to join a club to drink.
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post #2 of 18
9/11/10 at 8:26pm
http://www.barcheftoronto.com/

Fresh ingredients, house made bitters, unique combinations on traditional drinks, I want to go next time I am in Toronto.

For something exotic and unique, go for their Vanilla Hickory Smoked Manhattan - Crown Royal Extra Rare, fresh lemon, in-house cherry vanilla bitters, hickory smoked syrup, vanilla cognac, smoked hickory and vanilla.
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post #3 of 18
9/11/10 at 10:55pm
I second Bar Chef. I was there a couple weeks ago for the first time and it is wonderful place. The decor is classy, the people are sophisticated and the drinks are divine. Try the Van Gogh's Downfall - it's absinthe-based and has great flavor. As you desire, it's a small place whose drink philosophy is house-made bitters and high-quality mixed drinks. They have some molecular drinks, but I didn't try them - the straight quality of their more traditional drinks satisfied me. Also, it's in the entertainment district so you can walk (or stumble) out and find lots of live music and dancing.
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post #4 of 18
9/12/10 at 5:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Philip1209 View Post
I second Bar Chef. I was there a couple weeks ago for the first time and it is wonderful place. The decor is classy, the people are sophisticated and the drinks are divine. Try the Van Gogh's Downfall - it's absinthe-based and has great flavor. As you desire, it's a small place whose drink philosophy is house-made bitters and high-quality mixed drinks. They have some molecular drinks, but I didn't try them - the straight quality of their more traditional drinks satisfied me. Also, it's in the entertainment district so you can walk (or stumble) out and find lots of live music and dancing.

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post #5 of 18
9/12/10 at 5:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by West24 View Post

This, but to the thought of any "speakeasy-type cocktail bar."
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post #6 of 18
9/13/10 at 12:47am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kwilkinson View Post
This, but to the thought of any "speakeasy-type cocktail bar."

I was speaking within the frame of what are now called "speakeasies." I guess what I meant to say was just "cozy, small-ish, upscale cocktail bar with creative drinks and fresh ingredients."
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post #7 of 18
9/13/10 at 12:49am
Have you tried the Rooftop bar at the Park Hyatt? Their 'Ultimate' Gin & Tonic is quite good (Hendricks + Fever-Tree tonic + a slice of cucumber). The Fever-Tree makes all the difference.
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post #8 of 18
9/13/10 at 1:09am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TRINI View Post
Have you tried the Rooftop bar at the Park Hyatt?

Their 'Ultimate' Gin & Tonic is quite good (Hendricks + Fever-Tree tonic + a slice of cucumber).

The Fever-Tree makes all the difference.

I've been there but hadn't had the Ultimate G&T. I'll have to give it a try, though overall the vibe isn't what I'm looking for (that said, I like the bar).
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post #9 of 18
9/13/10 at 1:12am
The Toronto Temporance Society on College, but you need to be or attend with a member. Never been myself so not sure how legit the place is.
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post #10 of 18
9/13/10 at 1:21am
whoa, that Hickory Smoked Manhattan is $45. Ouch. I've never seen anything like that. Some nice other drinks too on the menu. I'm adding this place to my list.
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post #11 of 18
9/13/10 at 5:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LVoer View Post
The Toronto Temporance Society on College, but you need to be or attend with a member. Never been myself so not sure how legit the place is.

I have one - they don't check (I guess now it's at the point where it's if you look kind of familiar and aren't some dodgy street person). I can bring someone in as long as it fits my schedule.

They're still selling memberships so you can always go to Sidecar and say you heard about TTS and want to try it out and they'll point you upstairs.
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post #12 of 18
9/14/10 at 10:04am
why would anyone want to go to a palce that uses imitation bathtub gin and the equivalent liquors?
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post #13 of 18
9/14/10 at 10:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kwilkinson View Post
This, but to the thought of any "speakeasy-type cocktail bar."

Hey, easy there. I have much for the VTR.
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post #14 of 18
11/7/10 at 2:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Philip1209 View Post
I second Bar Chef. I was there a couple weeks ago for the first time and it is wonderful place. The decor is classy, the people are sophisticated and the drinks are divine. Try the Van Gogh's Downfall - it's absinthe-based and has great flavor. As you desire, it's a small place whose drink philosophy is house-made bitters and high-quality mixed drinks. They have some molecular drinks, but I didn't try them - the straight quality of their more traditional drinks satisfied me. Also, it's in the entertainment district so you can walk (or stumble) out and find lots of live music and dancing.

As a follow-up -- I went to barchef last night. It was superb. Good music, good crowd, great drinks (I got one of the $25 molecular cocktails but the "regular" drinks, at $11-13, aren't overpriced and are decent pours). Exactly what I was looking for, though it'd be nice if Toronto had more than one place like that.
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post #15 of 18
11/8/10 at 1:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TRINI View Post
Have you tried the Rooftop bar at the Park Hyatt? Their 'Ultimate' Gin & Tonic is quite good (Hendricks + Fever-Tree tonic + a slice of cucumber). The Fever-Tree makes all the difference.
I wholly concur. Fever-Tree is where it's at. Library Bar in the Royal York has a specialty pink gin and tonic that's pretty good if you can set your masculinity aside for a moment. While we're on the topic of gin, no one does a Pimm's Cup quite like the owner at Harbord Room.
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