Descend into the world of illicit charm and vintage glamour at Toronto's speakeasies. Concealing the finest spirits and offering an atmosphere reminiscent of the Prohibition era, these exclusive bars hold an allure for those seeking a unique nightlife experience.
Hidden across the town, these speakeasies are perfect for locals and tourists alike who crave for classic cocktails with a modern twist. Be it a secret password or an unmarked door, finding these bars is part of the thrill.
For the adventurous souls yearning to find these hidden wonders, dive into The Best Speakeasies in Toronto and feel the thrill of discovering Toronto's best-kept secrets.
To put together this guide to speakeasies in Toronto, we looked at what each business really focuses on, how its customers rate it over time and what it shows about its work on its own channels. The order is ours and we review it regularly.
Featured positions are clearly marked and only offered to businesses that already earned their place in the guide.
Pick one to read the short summary below.
#1Bespoke cocktails
Live performances
Speakeasy-style setting
C Suite pairs bespoke cocktails with live performances in an intimate, upmarket setting in Toronto. The speakeasy-style bar also serves bites alongside its drinks, giving you something to eat during an evening built around cocktails and entertainment. Its snug atmosphere suits a night spent settling in over a drink.
#2No cocktail menu
Drinks tailored to your preferences
Live performances
Civil Liberties takes a menu-free approach to cocktails, with mixologists building drinks around your preferred spirits and flavours. That format suits anyone who enjoys describing what they like and trying a drink made to match. Live performances add another reason to spend an evening at this Toronto bar.
#3Library-themed setting
Artisanal cocktails
Live performances
Famous Last Words brings a library theme to a cocktail bar serving artisanal drinks and food in Toronto. The setting is quiet and casual, making it a fit for groups looking to catch up over cocktails. Live performances are also part of the offering, adding entertainment to the bookish surroundings.
#4Live jazz and blues
Karaoke
Cubano sandwich
Capone's Cocktail Lounge combines cocktails and food with live music, including jazz and blues performances. A Cubano sandwich is among the food options, while karaoke adds another way to make an evening of it. The casual lounge setting suits friends meeting for drinks or a date centred on music.
#5Cocktails with Asian-inspired flavours
Drinks recommendations based on preferences
Small food menu
Liquid Courage focuses on cocktails with Asian-inspired flavours in a compact, casual setting suited to dates and small gatherings. Bartenders can recommend drinks based on individual preferences, offering a starting point if you want to try something different. A limited food menu provides a few things to eat alongside the cocktails.
#6Cocktails and bites
Upmarket bar setting
Prequel & Co. Apothecary serves cocktails and bites in an upmarket Toronto setting with a sense of mystery. The atmosphere is a central part of the experience, pairing a cosy room with a feeling of stepping back in time. It suits an evening where the surroundings matter alongside the drinks.
#7Extensive cocktail menu
Beer and wine
Outdoor patio
Cocktail Bar offers an extensive drinks menu covering cocktails, beer and wine, with food available alongside. Its eclectic interior and music give the room a distinct character, while the outdoor patio offers another setting for a drink. The cosy atmosphere makes it an option for a date in Toronto.
#8Original cocktails
Beer, spirits and wine
Outdoor seating
Cry Baby Gallery serves original cocktails alongside beer, spirits and wine in a relaxed Toronto setting. The bar welcomes groups and LGBTQ+ gatherings, with a cosy atmosphere that also suits stopping in for a solo drink. Outdoor seating gives guests a place to enjoy their drinks on warm evenings.
#9Extensive drink menu
Food available
Private events
Bang Sue Bar offers cocktails and food, with an extensive drinks menu for evenings spent exploring different options. Music forms part of the atmosphere in this cosy Toronto bar. It also accommodates private events, making it relevant for readers choosing between a regular night out and a venue for a gathering.
#10Strawberry cocktail
Canapés
Tasting menus
Bar Banane combines cocktails with canapés and tasting menus in Toronto, making it an option for an evening of drinks and food. A strawberry cocktail features among the drinks, while the cosy, intimate and upscale atmosphere suits a romantic date or a night catching up with friends.
#11Behind Kome
Sake tasting
Live music
After Seven 後七 sits behind Kome, bringing cocktails, sake tasting and live music together in a Japanese-inspired setting. The small space lends itself to intimate gatherings, with an atmosphere that combines casual and upmarket elements. It offers a speakeasy setting for those who want to explore sake alongside cocktails.
#12Creative cocktail menu
Beer, spirits and wine
Food available
Bar 404 Toronto offers a cocktail menu alongside beer, spirits and wine, giving a group several directions to choose from. Food is available too, so drinks can be accompanied by something to eat. The interior design is part of the draw, and reservations can be made through the bar's website.
#13Homemade syrups
Cocktail infusions
Bar Sous Sol uses homemade syrups and infusions in its cocktails, giving readers interested in how drinks are built a concrete reason to consider it. The Toronto bar has an intimate, casual atmosphere suited to small groups. Cocktails are the focus for an evening spent together in a cosy setting.
#14Creative cocktail menu
Selection of spirits
Gift Shop centres its offering on cocktails and spirits, with a menu of drink creations to explore. The Toronto bar combines a casual feel with an upmarket atmosphere in an intimate space. It suits a night out where choosing a cocktail and spending time over it are the main plans.
#15Above George restaurant
Off-menu cocktails
Gnocchi with tarragon and lemon butter
Secrette sits above George restaurant in Toronto, with an intimate setting suited to quiet conversations and dates. Off-menu cocktails are part of the offering, alongside beer, spirits and wine. Small plates provide something to share with drinks, including gnocchi with tarragon and lemon butter, making food part of the evening too.
| # | Business | Rating | Reviews | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | C Suite | 4.9 | 152 | Cocktails with live entertainment |
| #2 | Civil Liberties | 4.7 | 1,061 | Exploring cocktails through personal preferences |
| #3 | Famous Last Words | 4.7 | 502 | Drinks in a library-themed setting |
| #4 | Capone's Cocktail Lounge | 4.8 | 81 | Cocktails and live music |
| #5 | Liquid Courage | 4.6 | 108 | Asian-inspired cocktails on a date |
| #6 | Prequel & Co. Apothecary | 4.5 | 717 | Drinks in an atmospheric setting |
| #7 | Cocktail Bar | 4.5 | 690 | Date-night drinks with menu choice |
| #8 | Cry Baby Gallery | 4.5 | 373 | Group drinks in casual surroundings |
| #9 | Bang Sue Bar | 4.5 | 309 | Private events with cocktails |
| #10 | Bar Banane | 4.5 | 119 | Cocktails with a tasting menu |
| #11 | after seven 後七 | 4.4 | 408 | Sake tasting in intimate surroundings |
| #12 | Bar 404 Toronto | 4.4 | 165 | Cocktails with mixed drink preferences |
| #13 | Bar Sous Sol | 4.5 | 41 | Small-group cocktail evenings |
| #14 | Gift Shop | 4.2 | 407 | Trying different cocktail creations |
| #15 | Secrette | 4.2 | 39 | Quiet conversations over cocktails |
Explore the vibrant nightlife of Canada's largest city with our comprehensive map of all the speakeasies in Toronto. Uncover hidden gems and cocktail culture in secret settings. Whether you seek a classic experience, or a modern twist, dive into our guide and discover the quintessential 1920's inspired drinking joints across Toronto.
A speakeasy is a hidden or secret establishment that serves alcoholic beverages illegally, typically resembling illegal bars that operated during the Prohibition era in the 1920s. In Toronto, these establishments offer a unique and secretive atmosphere for patrons to enjoy cocktails in a setting that harks back to a bygone era. They often require a password or some form of secret entrance to maintain their exclusive and clandestine nature. Speakeasies are typically characterized by their dim lighting, vintage decor, and craft cocktails made by skilled mixologists. They provide a sense of mystery and adventure for those looking to experience a different kind of nightlife in the city. Many speakeasies in Toronto pay homage to the Prohibition era with their decor and drink menus, adding to the authenticity of the experience.
Finding a speakeasy in Toronto can be a fun and adventurous experience, as they are often hidden from plain sight and require a bit of sleuthing to locate. Some speakeasies are located behind unmarked doors, within other establishments, or even accessed through secret entrances. To discover these hidden gems, consider asking locals or doing some research online to uncover their locations. Another way to find a speakeasy in Toronto is to follow social media accounts or websites that specialize in sharing information about hidden bars and secret establishments in the city. Some speakeasies may also require reservations or a password for entry, so be sure to follow their specific instructions to gain access to these exclusive venues.
When you visit a speakeasy in Toronto, you can expect a unique and memorable experience that differs from traditional bars and lounges. These establishments often have a 1920s theme, with vintage decor, classic cocktails, and a cozy ambiance that transports you to another time. The bartenders at speakeasies are usually skilled mixologists who can craft custom cocktails based on your preferences. Speakeasies in Toronto may also feature live music, themed events, or special cocktail menus to enhance the overall experience. The intimate setting of these hidden bars makes them ideal for date nights, special occasions, or simply enjoying a night out with friends in a more exclusive setting. Be prepared to immerse yourself in the atmosphere and history of the Prohibition era when visiting a speakeasy in Toronto.
While each speakeasy in Toronto may have its own unique atmosphere and rules, it is common for these establishments to have dress codes or etiquette guidelines to maintain their exclusive and sophisticated ambiance. Some speakeasies may require patrons to dress in vintage or upscale attire to match the theme of the venue, while others may have more relaxed dress codes. It is also important to follow any specific instructions provided by the speakeasy for entry, such as requiring a password, making reservations in advance, or adhering to specific entrance protocols. Additionally, patrons are typically expected to conduct themselves respectfully and responsibly while at a speakeasy, as these establishments strive to provide a high-quality and enjoyable experience for all guests.
