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Proof The Vodka Bar
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Good For Dancing:
- No
8 reviews for Proof The Vodka Bar
8 reviews in English
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Review from Theresa W.
Vancouver, BC
Boozing it up with class? Then step right in!
Came here for some catch-up time with friends late on a Saturday, and was not disappointed. Those drinks are pricy, but they don't skimp on the alki. It was already late when we showed up at 1230am, but the server brought over some complimentary house-made chips to tide over our hunger pangs. Definitely useful, since I'm a cheap drunk and was pretty hungry at this point.
Even more disappointed when I finally settled on one of their many (many) cocktail options, only to find out they were out of hot chocolate, one of the key non-alcoholic ingredients for the drink. :\
The bellini my friend ordered was also kinda gross, the champagne in it tasted off. They offered to remake it with a new bottle, but she picked up a cocktail instead. They also had a good selection of whiskey on the list, so the men gave the place a thumbs up too.
The location is really nice - it's just by Yorkville - and the decor is great. They were playing some old school 90s popular hip-hop music, which was really strange for the ambiance but since we grew up with it, everyone in our party was pretty pleased. Despite it being a Saturday, the place was pretty empty, there was one other large party in there other than our group of 6. They've got a beautiful piano in the middle of an open space which I assume is a dance floor, and the bar is connected to a hotel so the bathrooms are out by their lobby.
Overall a decent place for a nice late night drink. Will definitely keep this in mind for a future meet up suggestion!Listed in: Toronto Love
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Review from Anton K.
Toronto, ON
9/19/2011
I went to Proof on a Saturday night as it was the venue selected to host a charity fundraiser. For this reason, I'm not sure if the night I went can be described as an average night for this bar.
The place itself has a nice layout and ambience. There is a DJ and a large patio, and plenty of seating. The patio seemed a little lacking in terms of heaters though.
The drinks range from $12 to $14 a cocktail. This is double what you would pay at any average bar, but considering you're in Yorkville I would say it's not out of the ordinary.
The one annoyance I had with this bar is the bartending service. It was abysmal. The bartenders looked confused and were painfully slow. For a bar that was half full at most, I had to wait 20 minutes just to be noticed. The bartenders would even leave the bar to go to the back room for some reason. It just seemed very disorganized; I felt like I was at an upscale lemonade stand at the CNE.
Overall, the nice layout did not make up for the lack of service. If you have the word "Bar" in your name, you should be capable of living up to it. -
Review from Emerson K.
Toronto, ON
8/13/2011
Went to this lounge with a friend who was interested in checking out this bar in town. so we sat down and ordered a drink, next thing you know the bartender told us it was his first week. who the hell tells a customer it's his first week at bartender? the drink wasn't good either way.
The music was bad and randomly cut between songs. There were was also a gold digger booty train. Decidedly unclassy in general. -
Review from Raymond W.
Toronto, ON
9/6/2011 4 photos
The existence of Proof Vodka Bar (from what I can imagine) serves only one purpose--waiting area for Sky Lounge.
By square footage Proof is about equivalent to Sky Lounge, everything else falls short. But it's existence is not completely unjustifiable. It is after a bar, and all hotels need an indoor bar for it's guests to feel bad about themselves. So that is my interpretation of Proof Vodka Bar, a 'feel bad bar'.
It is nearly impossible to be objective when reviewing this place because it's in many ways just an extension to Sky Lounge. There are two drinking venues within the Intercontinental Hotel Yorkville, and there is absolutely no reason why anyone should drink here when they can drink at Sky Lounge instead, which is separated by a few pieces of glass. There's no reason you should pick this place over Sky Lounge, not even on a rainy day, because the patio umbrellas & heaters at Sky Lounge provides complete protection from the elements.
Proof is:
-less romantic
-dimly lit
-more depressing
-always empty
This might as well be a review on Sky Lounge, because really what is there to talk about? Same service staff as Sky, same menu, same bar capability. Sitting here and looking through the window at Sky Lounge is like eating a hot dog on Front Street while gazing at the people coming out of all the restaurants around the corner.
The furniture is posh, but so what?
I get it, Proof serves it purpose as being a bar with a roof at a hotel. It's there solely for that purpose, and perhaps I am being a bit harsh. But it's kind of like being told the reasons to buy a smaller diamond by the sales persons at Tiffany's, when the bigger rock is staring you straight in the face.
How many times did I say 'sky Lounge' in this review for Proof Vodka Bar? -
Review from Bahi K.
Scarborough, ON
6/28/2011
Organized a gathering here for a group of friends on a Saturday night and the evening was quite the success. The bartender, Daniel, was friendly and takes his art very seriously. Luckily for us the place was not crowded at all, and our group (that must've numbered in the 30+ range) were basically able to take over the space for the night. Drinks are well made and the service is top notch. I actually had a server call me by my name! I will definitely sing the praises of Proof.
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Review from sarah c.
Toronto, ON
3/2/2011
I love Proof! I'm at this bar around once a month, it's central and the drinks are good. They are creative with their cocktails and always have something to suggest that you try. The food is ok, nothing amazing - I would avoid the smoked salmon appetizer though as it's not that good. The spring rolls aren't bad though and the potato chips they always have out are really good! They've got a patio that's quite nice as well in the summer but you can hear all the commotion on Bloor.
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Review from Denise S.
7/30/2010
Came here with a group of about 10 people following a concert. They were very accommodating and we were able to get a nice table on the patio, which is lovely on a warm summer evening. Service is excellent -- attentive without being intrusive. The drinks menu is vast, with plenty of creative martinis, bellinis, mojitos, and the like (prices range from $11-13). Of course, there are several types of vodka you can order straight up, plus a small wine list. I tried the strawberry mojito which was yummy! The menu definitely is ideal for those who are into "girly" (or as one guy in our party said, "metrosexual") cocktails. Our server also brought us bowls of potato chips, which were warm and delicious. I think they actually make them on the premises, because no chips that came out of a bag ever tasted this good. She refilled our chips a couple times over the evening, which was much appreciated. The space itself is lounge-y and stylish, but also quiet enough to carry on a conversation. This would be a great place to unwind after work or a show, or to bridge the gap between dinner and dancing!
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Review from Erin W.
Winnipeg, MB
10/3/2009
Was staying at the Intercontinental Hotel in the Yorkville area and met a friend here for drinks. Good vibe, friendly servers, and comfy couches for talking and relaxing. Was nothing too fancy, but a good place to meet and catch up as it wasn't too loud. Very convenient as well if you're staying in the attached hotel!
