Food & drink
of fine sherries and imaginative
cocktails like the Doctor’s Order
with death wish syrup and lemon.
505 College St., thisisbarraval.com
Reposado Bar and Lounge
Tequila buffs have congregated
here for nearly a decade to take
in live jazz and the most exten-
sive agave-derived selection in
the city—well over 130 bottles,
from crisp blancos to top-shelf
anejos. Order a vertical or
horizontal flight to start your
journey. 136 Ossington Ave.,
reposadobar.com
Thompson Hotel
Of all the city’s luxury hotels, this
is the most attractive prospect for
a boozy evening. The chic, mod-
coloured lobby bar draws beautiful
and well-connected crowds nightly,
but even better is the roof lounge—
if you can gain access, poolside
cabanas and panoramic views are
your reward. 550 Wellington St. W.,
thompsonhotels.com
Cloak Bar
Sneak down to the basement of
Marben, lift the curtain and you’ll
find yourself in a clandestine haven
for Colonial-inspired libations.
Bring a group for the decanters
and punch bowls, which serve
at least four, and sample bites
of oysters and charcuterie while
you sip away. 488 Wellington St. W.,
anything is available by the glass.
The menu is sparse (as wine bar
menus should be), but the morsels
are thoughtful complements to
the beverages. 1434 Dundas St. W.,
midfieldwine.com
BarChef
Many Torontonians credit Frankie
Solarik with kick-starting the
city’s cocktail rebirth. Under
low lighting, his bar wizards
take molecular mixology to new
frontiers, devising complex,
multi-sensory experiences in
a glass, such as the famed vanilla-
and-hickory-smoked Manhattan,
rumoured to be a favourite
of Drake’s. 472 Queen St. W.,
Reposado Bar and Lounge
barcheftoronto.com.
Cibo Wine Bar
Cibo’s King West flagship location
has long been the place to hit for
handmade pasta, a glass of vino
and perhaps a celebrity sighting
(it’s a popular stop with TIFF
guests). There are now three
locations citywide, each housing
1,500-plus bottles of predominantly
Italian origin. 522 King St. W.;
2472 Yonge St.; 133 Yorkville Ave.,
cibowinebar.com
The One Eighty
thecloakbar.com
Bar Begonia
Chef Anthony Rose has already con-
quered barbecue, Middle Eastern,
diner and deli fare; his latest ex-
periment looks to do the same with
Parisian flavours. Bar Begonia serves
seasonal aperitifs, French wines and
draft Negronis alongside unfussy
bistro plates in a casual atmosphere.
252 Dupont St., barbegonia.com
Midfield Wine Bar and Tavern
A Dundas West institution,
Midfield wets oenophile whistles
via a diverse, worldly wine list—
and a Coravin means that almost
Jen Agg’s casually
elegant Grey Gardens
EssEntial toronto
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