Mango Habanero Colada – Lavelle (627 King St. W.)

Come for the pool, stay for the Colada! Pineapples are great and everything, but have you tried a MANGO variation? No? Oh, honey it is TIME. Any cocktail supped on a rooftop in the summer sun is a good time, but the sweet and spicy blend is a real summer slapper! Remy Martin VSOP cognac, Captain Morgan rum, Mango puree, pineapple juice, coconut milk, habanero sauce, dehydrated mango and volcanic salt make for an excellent new menu item at the iconic Toronto restaurant. Honourable mentions also go to the Kiwi Thai Basil Mojito and the Pear-Yuzu Spritz. 

Meiji Restoration – Evangeline (51 Camden St.)

The rooftop bar of the Ace Hotel, Evangeline, is a summer hot spot we are crushing hard on! Not only do they have a “High Tropics” menu for sips on a Sunday, there are fruity flavours abound to compliment the season. Personally, I adored the spirit forward Meiji Restoration. Japanese whisky is having a moment and we’re here to join it in this drink, served straight up and also featuring cocchi rosa, plum, wine and yuzu bitters. Enjoy with views of the CN Tower. 

Reverie – Clockwork (100 Front St. W.)

Dreamy summer afternoon vibes are served up in the form of the aptly named “Reverie” at Clockwork, one of my absolute favourite hotel lobby bars of all time. Sitting pretty under a grand art deco style clock (Clockwork…get it…!) in the lobby of the ever stunning Fairmont Royal York, this bar has a sumptuous schmaltz about it all year round, but offers air conditioned respite from the heat in the summer. With a brand new menu designed by 2021 World Class Global Bartender of the Year and 2022 Canada’s 100 Best Bartender of the year, James Grant, there has never been a time to meet for a high class swill in the heart of the city. 

The Reverie is not only a delight to behold (hello Instagramable smoke bubble of olfactory dreams), it is made up of some sumptuous summery flavours too; Plantation 3 Star rum, Saint James Rhum Agricole Blanc, fino sherry, lime, pandan, lemongrass, lime leaf, allspice, sugar and coconut. 

 Pandan – Mother Tongue (348 Adelaide St. W.)

A cocktail bar and excellent pan-Asian restaurant in it’s own right; Mother Tongue really does have it all and is the type of bar to retire on a summer’s evening after a day out soaking up the rays (although, to be fair, it’s a cool spot all year round). So, what to order? Summer always screams mojitos to me and Mother Tongue have a delightful riff. The Buko Pandan features house coconut rum, cachaça, lime, mint and soda. Long, bubbly and refreshing, this is a real feel good hit of the summer. 

The Mari – Vela (90 Portland St.)

Speaking of bubbly, Portland Street gem, Vela, has a dedicated “Spritz Garden” patio and both the snacks and sips menus are bangin’. Trust me.  While the cocktail programme is a real all-rounder (and pioneered by Toronto cocktail king, Robin Goodfellow), I’m all about an Italian vibe spritz this summer because, well, naturally … right?!  The “Champagne Cocktails”  menu features some crackers, my favourite of which has to be a toss up between  The Mari ( Martini Fiero, grapefruit, oro blanco and lambrusco) and The Crispy Clean (Dillon’s Gin, vermouth, balsam fir, lemon and prosecco).  I think the edge has to go to The Mari as, truly, Lambrusco is having a moment and I’m so very here for it.

Cheers to a longer summer in the tastiest city in Canada! 

Oh, and remember, always tip your bartender: they’re working hard to make this season delicious!

The post 5 Summer Cocktails We’re Loving in Downtown Toronto appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Hey Torontonians! When was the last time you visited Calgary? With more direct airplane routes serving as a one stop bus to ‘Berta, may I suggest you get yourself out there this summer? 

Restaurant & Patio Scene 

Calgary is coming in HOT in the Canadian restaurant scene. With four restaurants to place in the Canada’s 100 Best list for Best Restaurants (Major Tom, Charcut, Rouge and River Cafe), the city is becoming a culinary destination in its own right. We personally can’t praise Major Tom highly enough; the views, the cocktails, chef de cusine, Garret Rotel’s dishes…it’s a synery and we’re here for it! For more casual fare, we love Barbarella (literally downstairs and owned by the same group as Major Tom), which proffers a robust happy hour on a Sunday with 50% off the entire drinks menu and pizza menu. Winner. 

There are some fantastic restaurants to be found near the Calgary Tower between 8th – 10th Avenue, as well as some Inglewood gems worth exploring. In the summer 17th Avenue is the hot spot for patio life; our favourites of which include Pigeon Hole and Model Milk (which also has awesome cocktails).

Speaking of cocktails, if you’re looking specifically for sipping spots, we love Fine Print, Proof, Betty Lou’s Library, Ricardo’s Hideaway and Shelter Cocktail Bar. 

Stampede

Yahoo! Welcome to the greatest outdoor show on earth. The Calgary Stampede has been the highlight of Albertan summers since the dawn of time. Okay, not actually, but since 1912. Drawing in over 1.2 million people annually (this year 1.39 million!), the city of Calgary comes alive with the spirit of the West for ten exhilarating days. The all-encompasing, multi-entertainment, multi-cultural event is organized by year-round staff as well as 3,000 happy volunteers, allowing the event to grow to become the world’s biggest outdoor rodeo! 

What can you expect? Well, it’s like the CNE but much bigger. Things kick off with a parade across the city, featuring over 100 floats, majestic horses, marching bands, dancers and performers. In the grounds, you’ll find wild carnival food (hello ketchup and mustard soft serve), fairground rides, dog shows, motorbike stunts at the Motorcross, rodeo horse and bull conetests, chuckwagon races, live music, and an exhibition centre featuring retail outlets and indoor performances. Stick around for the OUTSTANDING  Evening Show, which takes place nightly at 7.45pm at the GMC Stadium. Acrobats, song and dance numbers, a drone show and an epic firework display dazzle the night’s sky for the entirety of the Stampede duration. 

Calgary, frequently nicknamed “Cowtown” has become synonymous with the Stampede, with pretty much ever resident of the city able to regale you with tales of happy memories of years gone by. Embraced by Calgarians, the energy of the city during Stampede season is infectious and inviting. It really is a joy to behold. 

Missed this years? Bookmark this page as a reminder that you NEED to visit next year. 

Park Life 

Calgary has A LOT of parks, which is perfect for summer picnicking, bike rides, skating and general strolling. Downtown alone there are over 20 parks! Visit Confederation Park for expert landscape design, with a special dedication for Canada’s 150th birthday.  Centrepeiced by an upturned canoe and replete with a multi-level fort and playable water pump, the whole family will love it here. Looking for a park experience that’s good for a whole day out? Visit Granary Road Activity Park for 3 kilometres of trails connecting 36 acres of exhibits and active fun for kids and teens. There’s a petting zoo, maze, goat stampede, and zip lines too!

Calgary Tower 

A trip to a city isn’t complete without summiting its tallest tower, is it! The Calgary Tower opened in 1968, back when it was the second tallest structure in Canada ( after our boi, the CN Tower). Standing at 190.8 metres tall ground to spire, the tower offers incredible bird’s eye views of the city and the neighbouring rocky mountains, for which the ride up the tower is worth it alone. Like with the CN Tower, there is indeed a rotating restaurant at the top, Sky 360, which – you guessed it – offers 360 degree views of the city and beyond. A reservation at the restaurant gets you free access to the rest of the tower. 

Inglewood 

Inglewood is for sure the coolest neighbourhood in Calgary. Street art, instillations, galleries, boutique shops and indie record stores are complemented by a slew of hip restaurants and coffee shops. Located a 25 minute walk from the Calgary Tower and begining at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers, Inglewood is worth a visit for its bustling cool vibes and lovely vantage point of downtown. 

Bonus: The Rocky Mountains 

Got a little extra time in Calgary? Why not take a day trip or even spend a couple of nights in Kananaskis or Banff? The mountains are very much the backyard playground for Calgarians with access to some of the world’s best hiking trails, river sports and helicopter tours with stunning vista views. 

Want a tip? We LOVE White Wolf Rafting down the Kananaskis River. 

OKAY, convinced? Cool! See you in Cowtown!

The post 5 Things To Do In Calgary In The Summer – ready appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Street Level Patios

Oretta 

Transforming King Street West into a floral heaven, the Oretta patio is well-situated along one of the tastiest streets in town. The art-deco chiq of the interior sits adjacent to the flourishing curbside stretch, where revellers can soak up the sun and enjoy traditional Italian fare with a spritz in hand. Pizza, pasta, insalate, antipasti; all the good stuff is here. Not in the mood for a full meal? No problem; Oretta is the perfect spot for a little patio cinq-a-sept. 

Gusto 101

Southern Italian fare with wine on tap in an industrial setting; Gusto 101 is a cool spot on the increasingly trendy Portland Street. Diners looking for some sunshine can choose between the street patios and the greenhouse rooftop, each offering a well deserved side dish of Vitamin D; something we’re all too keen for after our long winters. Okay, I promise that is the last time I’ll mention the “W” word… eeep! Exposed brick and wooden tables suggest relaxed dining, although the menu offers slight elevation on classics. Order the arancini. Just do it. Yum. 

Vela

If the Vela Patio wasn’t so lovely it would almost be a shame to sit outside this beautifully designed Portland Street restaurant. The interior IS stunning (so do pop in and take a gander), however the patio is spacious and replete with greenery. Sustainably mindful, Vela Chef Kim Haugen has created an approachable but classy menu indoors and out, but if you’re not in the mood for a full meal, the snack menu is quite the ticket.  Labelling itself as a Spritz Garden, I highly encourage cocktails and bites outdoors to start or finish your night. Speaking of cocktails, the Vela drinks menu was curated by Toronto mixology royalty, Robin Goodfellow, so you can expect them to be top-notch. Enjoy! 

O&B Canteen

I am calling it now; O&B Canteen is absolutely the best spot for people watching during TIFF.  Right in the hub of the entertainment district, O&B kitchen is a casual spot to grab a tasty bite pre-movie, pre-theatre or pre-show. Think unpretentious dishes lile nachos, calamari, poutine, pizza, tacos. What’s more, O&B canteen has a cracking Happy Hour (that actually lasts 4 hours). 

ALSO it is worth mentioning that this is one of downtown’s only fully dog friendly patios, so bring your pooch (then let me pet him/her…please!) 

Steamwhistle Biergarten

Be it a ball game or just general merriment that brings you down to Steamwhistle it is always a vibe. Styled on a Grerman Biergarten, here are few places you can drink steins of beer in this city, so I always take the opportunity! It doesn’t get fresher than Pilsner straight from the source! The menu also includes a bunch of cocktails and beercocktails, including a beerita that I really do actually rate as an excellent option for a hot day! Hungry? Cool, have a pretzel. Or some chicken wings. Or both! Backdropped by the Roger’s Centre, the CN Tower and a whole load of cool vintage trains, a trip to Steamwhistle always feels like an iconic Toronto day out in itself. 

Rooftop Patios 

Alright, shall we take this to the roof? 

Harriet’s 

Atop the 1 Hotel sits the dreamy rooftop restaurant and bar, Harriet’s, which is bright and airy indoors and a full on deck delight outside. Guests of 1 Hotel are able to use the pool, but visitors can buy a day pass for access. Fresh and healthy snacks are available to eat pool-side (including some pretty excellent sushi) as well as bright and delicious cocktails. The view of the Toronto Skyline is equally as impressive.  

Evangeline

Mid-Century Modern charm exudes from the Ace Hotel’s rooftop bar, Evangeline, which has a glorious patio. The sweet spot is round the corner to the right for the best views of the CN tower, but the whole space feels good to be in. A menu of light bites and cocktails makes for plenty of happy campers on the roof, although it is especially worth visiting for their Sunday funday High Tropics cocktail menu offering. Big fan of the Queen Anne’s Revenge, although word “revenge” in any espresso-based coffee gets me kinda pumped. 

Lavelle 

Lavelle is an absolute Toronto staple and enables all the thirsty people of the city to “tropic like it’s hot” all year long (but let’s face it, it hits different in the sunshine). Three pools and a Brazilian meets Japanese menu makes for a real feel good hit of the summer! I ADORE sitting poolside people-watching with a mango colada here. Stay for sunset and light up swimming pools, it’s a vibe. 

Baro 

If you’re looking for a more chill rooftop vibe, Baro is a restaurant-forward space overlooking King West (plenty of opportunity for train spotting, or, errr, streetcar watching!). “Latin cuisine with a modern flair” means menu items lille charred jalapeno hummus, ceviche, street corn and anticuchos. Mai tais, daiquris and mojitos keep things liquid lucious too. 

Oh, and there is a “Fiesta Hour” on the roof Monday – Thursday 5-7 and Fridays 3-5. 

Kost 

One more pool hop for the road, yeah? Go on then! On the rooftop of the Bisha Hotel sits Kost, with some full-scale oceanic “KOST” al vibes (sorry, had to). Airy and with a lightly Bajan-inspired menu, you’ll find yourself at one of the most Instagramable spots in the city. The towering views of the Toronto skyline are impressive and will truly make you feel as if you’re sitting on top of the world. 

Cheers everyone! Enjoy your summer outdoors! 

The post 10 Toronto Street Level and Rooftop Patios appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Coffee Shops in Roncesvalles

It is no secret that hipsters love a good well crafted cup of Joe, and Roncy is bumpin’ with beanie hats and Doc Martens. The good news is that there are a BUNCH of excellent independent coffee shops to choose from as you walk down Roncesvalles high street. Some of these coffee shops include:

• Reunion (385 Roncesvalles Ave) – A Canadian, family-owned specialty coffee roaster.

• Cherry Bomb Coffee (79 Roncesvalles Ave) – Freshly baked pastries & coffee drinks brewed from house-roasted beans served in a snug setting.

• Ethica Coffee Roasters (213 Sterling Rd) – Espresso drinks made from house-roasted, ethically sourced beans, served in an industrial setting.

West Toronto Rail Path 

Roncesvalles is next to the emerging Sterling Road development, with the West Toronto Rail Path running along side it. Ramblers can enjoy less a less crowded urban stole along a shared bike path, with plenty of stopping off points. Some of our favourite places to check out include:

• Henderson Brewery (128A Sterling Rd) – Brewery that was also included in our list of The Best Breweries in Toronto.

• Ethica Coffee Roasters (213 Sterling Rd) – A specialty coffee roaster that has amazing pour overs.

• House of Anansi Press (Lower Level, 128 Sterling Rd) – A publishing house and bookshop.

• Museum of Contemporary Art (158 Sterling Rd #100) – A museum of contemporary works.

Museum of Contemporary Art

Also off the Rail Path, Toronto’s Museum of Contemporary Art is an inclusive space that showcases modern work with a focus on the relationship between people, nature, culture and geography.  The building in itself is beautiful and a real historic landmark to an ever condofied city.

Hot tip: pop by on a Friday night! MOCA Free Friday Nights powered by Scotiabank where you can see exhibits brought to life with live performances, installations and pop-ups. 

Bandit Brewery

In a city with a thriving micro-brewery scene, Bandit is an absolute must-visit. Not only is the tap room stunning with a gorgeous year-round patio, Bandit Brewery also serve some of the best food in Roncy. I’ve long since suggest I might revolt if they ever take their beer-battered cheese curds off the menu, but there are also more refined dishes with a light Asian influence. The brews here are top notch and flights are available for the epicurious. It was also included in our list of The Best Breweries in Toronto.

Revue Cinema

What a delight it is to visit an old movie theatre! Revue claims to be Toronto’s oldest operating cinema. This not-for-profit community run picture house was established in 1912 and screens cult classics, indie movies and special features.

Check out their schedule HERE.

What to do in High Park

If you fancy a stroll with that coffee in hand, Roncy is right next to High Park, one of the city’s biggest and most accessible green spaces. In the winter, the trails are well maintained for hikes and those who pack skates can skate on the ice rink. In the summer, the park comes alive and even plays host to Shakespeare in the Park for the season, which is a pay what you can cultural delight. Love animals? The High Park zoo is open – for free – year round!

Find our more on our post of Things to do in High Park.

Independent Stores in Roncesvalles

Roncesvalles High Street is one of the last remaining strips in this city where small, independent shops outnumber chains. From second hand book stores to cute markets, plant shops, vintaging clothing spots, jewellery stores and a pretty awesome 3D printed design shop, Roncy is worth a jaunt for the window shopping alone. Some shops you may want to check out include:

• Sunnyside Provisions (287 Roncesvalles Ave) – a specialty grocery, bottle shop with take out food at good prices & very kind staff. 

• Scout (405 Roncesvalles Ave) – independent gift shop with a focus on Canadian handmade and independent gifts and cards.

• Another Story Bookshop (315 Roncesvalles Ave) – independent book store that specializes in books on social justice, equity and diversity.

• Bossanova (103 Roncesvalles Ave) – Wine and beer shop that sells unique non-LCBO alcohol with knowledgeable staff.

• Fevers Vintage (55 Roncesvalles Ave) – A great vintage clothing shop.

• Outclass (343 Roncesvalles Ave) – A Canadian made menswear brand.

Restaurants in Roncesvalles

Home to a multitude of cuisines, Roncesvalles is a tasty delight at all times of the day. The newly revived Ace continues to be a hot brunch spot in the city, with Easy Diner also hitting the right notes at the end of the strip. La Cubana (392 Roncesvalles Ave) brings Cuban comfort food, Barque Smokehouse (299 Roncesvalles Ave) delivers barbecue to the neighbourhood and there is huge buzz for Musoshin Ramen (9 Boustead Ave). Indian cuisine restaurant, Dil Se (335 Roncesvalles Ave), was recently featured in the Toronto release of the Michelin Guide as well as being included in our Best Restaurants in Toronto post. Other restaurants to check out include:

• Ace (231A Roncesvalles Ave) – Also mentioned in the Michelin guide.

• AM Bagel (53 Roncesvalles Ave) – Delicious bagel sandwiches with many vegan options.

• Cafe Polonez (195 Roncesvalles Ave) – Longstanding restaurant with delicious polish food.

• Gold Standard (385 Roncesvalles Ave) – One of the best breakfast sandwiches around.

• Pizzeria Defina (321 Roncesvalles Ave) – Inventive wood fired pizzas that have won several awards.

Sorauren Farmers Market 

Sorauren Farmers Market (50 Wabash Ave) is one of the city’s best farmers markets for local produce and absolutely POPPING in the summer months. During winter the market still runs, although it is indoors and a little more low key. Check out their website for their most up to date schedule. 

Pottery 

Looking for a fun and hands-on activity? Clay With Me (2112 Dundas St W) pottery studio has just opened up a second location in Roncesvalles. Wheel and hand-built pottery classes are available for three hour, four week and eight week classes, as well as special events.

Jewellery Making

Become a goldsmiths, because why not! Roncesvalles is home to Jewel Envy (151 Marion St), a bright blue building worth a jaunt for the exterior alone. Here you can learn how to set jewels, make your own statement pieces, work with metals and hone your craft. We’re into it!  

The post Things to do in the Roncesvalles Neighbourhood of Toronto appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

The Best Breweries in Toronto

East End Breweries

Avling

Address: 1042 Queen St. E.
Website: Avling.com

Go to Avling for the beer, but stay for the incredible food menu. A conceptual urban farm with a stellar lineup of experimental beer, Avling exudes an atmosphere of Nordic hipster chiq. Beanie hats and colour pops punctuate a clean space, replete with on-tap brews made in house. Staples include a Pilsner, Saison and an I.P.A, and more exciting seasonal releases see tasty adventures such as a Lavender Sour, the Carillon Biere de Miel with raw honey from Ontario’s Rosewood Estates. The largers and grisettes are also highly worthy of a swil. Avling is great at any time of day, but is especially popular for brunch and dinner. Try the smorgasbords; they’re iconic.

Black Lab Brewery

Address: 818 Eastern Ave
Website: blacklab.beer

Want to bring your pooch to the pub? No problem! Black Lab Brewery in the Eastend is fully dog friendly. Or, if you’re an aspiring dog mom like me, chances are you’ll get to pet a few good boys and girls while you’re there. The Black Lab tap room offer flights, which is a major draw for those looking to try a little something of everything. The beer list rotates seasonally but you’ll always be able to sip the Conerstone Black Larger, the Anubis Baltic Porter, a Double Dry Hopped IPA and the Needs More Dog Munich Dunkel and a Kennel Sour with a some weather appropriate iteration or another. There is no kitchen here, but Black Lab plays host to frequent culinary pop-ups.

Godspeed

Address: 242 Coxwell Ave
Website: godspeedbrewery.com

“Made with struggle and love in Toronto” is the Godspeed tagline, and the love at least is evident in each refined sip from this Japanese inspired brewery. Famous for their beloved Yuzu Citrus Saison, Godspeed also sell this in canned format through the LCBO. The Ochame Green Tea IPA is another menu must order, with the rest of the beer list presenting a twist on classic Czech and German beers. When the kitchen is operational it serves up snacks such as edamame and satay skewers to accompany your pints. 

Left Field 

Address: 36 Wagstaff Dr.
Website: leftfieldbrewery.ca

Left Field is the feel good hit of the East End with its vintage and lightly kitsch sports branding. ICE COLD BEER anyone? Sure! But Left Field also has an extensive list of bangers including the many iterations of the Squeeze Play Sour, the classic Bang-Bang sour (available in the LCBO), the Lazer Show Double IPA, Skipper IPA, Ephus Oatmeal Brown Ale and more, depending on when you pop by. If you’re looking to try a little of everything, you’ll be pleased to know that Left Field are celebrated for their flights. 

Another brewery that allows four legged friends to join the party, you’ll find as many people hitting the bottle shop here as those angling for bar stools.

Radical Road

Address: 1177 Queen St E.
Website: radicalroadbrew.com

The draft beer list is small but with focus and, like most breweries, shifts with the seasons. You’ll always be able to find a sour, a largered ale (Beer Beer), an IPA and some iteration of a brown ale (the Peanut Butter Brown Ale release was a real banger). Canned classics such as their Yuzu Pale Ale and Blackberry Sour are also available in-house. The vibe inside is more dive-bar than hipster brewhouse, with a cocktail menu that befits the mood. The kitchen plays host to beloved Toronto snack chain, Mean Bao, which is true joy. Tofu & Enoki Mushroom Bao and a larger? YES PLEASE. 

Rorschach

Address: 1001 Eastern Ave.
Website: rorschachbrewing.com

Rorschach declares that “life’s too short for ordinary beer” and they hold true to their promise. Their bottle shop is the most exciting in the city, with offerings such as Decadence (Peach Cobbler or Blueberry Cream) Chocolate Milk Stout, the Reverie Dreamsical IPA in all its seasonal iterations and the many releases of the Hedonism sorbet sour IPAs (one of which I distinctly remember pouring blue), and the frankly always mental Afterglow ( a “Rum Runner” Tiki sour with pineapple, orange, blackberry, banana and pomegranate). Inside the brewery there is an excellent array of food on the menu too. Praise. 

West End Breweries

Kensington Brewing Company

Address: 299 Augusta Ave.
Website: kensingtonbrewingcompany.com

Nestled in the heart of Toronto’s hipster Kensington Market neighbourhood, the Kensington Brewing Company is small and snug with a variety of board games to play while sampling a flight of their classics and seasonal beers. Well known for their Stout, and Hazy IPA, Kensington have also been playing in the fruity seltzer space. 

Blood Brothers

Address: 165 Geary Ave.
Website: bloodbrothersbrewing.com

Experimental beers galore can be found at this small but punchy tap room, replete with a kitchen run by Beast. Regular hop drops and sours on the wilder side are available on tap and in cans. Industrial glam plays backdrop to some of the best beers in the city. 

Bellwoods Brewery

Address: 124 Ossington Ave.
Website: bellwoodsbrewery.com

Bellwoods Brewery has been a Toronto staple for nearly a decade now and is a real highlight of the ever gentrifying Trinity Bellwood’s ‘hood. Well known for their Jelly King sour series and their hoppy Jutsu and Ghost Orchids and of course the long lost Witch Shark, you can’t go wrong with a Bellwoods beer.  Things have been on the rise for this microbrewery for a while; they have a second uptown taproom location and a brand new adjoining gastro brewpub space which creates FANTASTIC pairing dishes. 

Burdock 

Address: 184 Augusta Ave.
Website: burdockbrewery.com

If a trip to the infamous Dufferin Mall isn’t enough to steal you away to this spicy little pocket of town, Burdock Brewery create some true gems, including their Tuesday saison, the Cherry-B dry hopped sour, and the tart and juicy Nula pale ale. Burdock are also currently producing some pretty excellent beer-wines with their grape ales. The kitchen here has always been solid with its menu of elevated bar food. 

Bandit Brewery 

Address: 2125 Dundas St. W.
Website: banditbrewery.ca

It doesn’t get more Toronto than a micro-brewery with racoon branding, does it? As beloved for their beer battered cheese curds as they are for their accessible and tasty beers, Bandit has been making waves in Roncesvalles for five years now.  Flights for days and a wide selection of rotating beer as well as a few rockstar hits, there is something for all beer drinking palates. The space is curated to reflect brewery-chiq at its finest. The patio is a real feel-good hit of the summer, but it is also incredibly beautiful as an enclosed glass winter garden during the colder months. 

Halo 

Address: 247 Wallace Ave.
Website: halobrewery.com

A taproom with a mathematical and low key spacey style, Halo brings light and some reasonably “out-there” beers to a weird part of town worth venturing to for the Event Horizon stout and and Shapeshifter sour series. The patio in the summer is pretty cute too. 

Henderson Brewing Co.

Address: 128A Sterling Rd.
Website: shophendersonbrewing.com

Squirreled away off Toronto’s Railpath, Henderson is the perfect pit-stop on a multi-brewery bike ride adventure. Known best for their Food Truck largered blonde which can be found in Beer Stores and LCBOs, there are plenty of on-premise specials worth making the journey for. There are boardgames and dogs are welcome, need I say more.

High Park Brewery

Address: 839 Runnymede Rd.
Website: highparkbrewery.com

With a large taproom and event space, High Park Brewery has become a popular spot for weddings in the city. A dog-friendly winterized patio keep this a place for year-round fun and micro-brew joy. With 12 rotating taps and a food menu of fried chicken and smash burgers, there are some solid vibes being served up on Runnymede. 

Rainhard Brewing Co.

Address: 100 Symes Rd.
Website: rainhardbrewing.com

Rainhardt is one of three breweries in Toronto’s Stockyards district, which is the perfect location for a mini-crawl and definite stop on that aforementioned malt-brewery bike day of fun. Rainhart serves some pretty typical microbrewery vibes and my award for best beer name goes to their “Satanic Panic” Imperial stout. The flagship Armed ‘N Citra is pretty great, as is their dark larger. 

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