Not your average EtOH

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My favourite places to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine

 1. Cocktail Bar

923 Dundas St W
Toronto, ON M6J 1W3
(416) 792-7511

Category: Bars

Neighbourhood: Little Italy

4.0 star rating
  9/15/2011

This is like the Toronto Temperance Society (that review is pending!) without the membership fees. Classic, beautiful ambiance and a great soundtrack that takes you back to the 20's and 30's. I love the little white cupboards with glass windows…More »

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 2. Poetry Jazz Cafe

224 Augusta Avenue
Toronto, ON M5T 1M5
(416) 599-5299

Category: Music Venues

Neighbourhood: Kensington Market

4.0 star rating
  Update - 2/25/2012

Came here again on a Friday night to catch some live jazz. The band was great and the atmosphere was warm and intimate (different from last time I came, which was for an event and the place was packed!). Seating is a bit limited though, so I would…More »

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  • 4.0 star rating
    1/11/2012

    (3.5 stars, and review #300! woot!)

    Came by Poetry for the launch of issue 2 of the Toronto Review of… Read more »

 3. Mavrik Wine Bar

676 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M6J 1E5
(416) 214-9429

Categories: Wine Bars, Canadian (New)

Neighbourhoods: Niagara, West Queen West, Trinity Bellwoods

3.0 star rating
  Update - 1/18/2012

I came back here recently for dinner with a wine-loving friend from out of town. The food selection is not great, but the fish tacos (cod in a light batter) were delicious! You get 3 small tacos. It's not really filling enough for a meal, but a good…More »

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  • 4.0 star rating
    8/10/2011

    I stopped by for the CMYE: Jennifer K Spectacular and really enjoyed the place! It is small and… Read more »

 4. Swirl

946 1/2 Queen St E
Toronto, ON M4M 1J7
(647) 351-5453

Categories: Canadian (New), Wine Bars

Neighbourhood: Leslieville

4.0 star rating
  8/8/2011

How cute is this Leslieville wine bar? The sign is small and it's up a narrow flight of stairs. I wouldn't have noticed it, but had heard good things from Yelpers (thanks guys!) so the sign caught my eye. Came on a weekend after dinner and the main…More »

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 5. Ciao Wine Bar

133 Yorkville Ave
Toronto, ON M5R 1C4
(416) 925-2143

Categories: Italian, Wine Bars

Neighbourhood: Yorkville

4.0 star rating
  5/30/2011

I came here for a private event recently. The basement offers a large space that is great for large groups (~50 people), with coat check, long tables for people to stand around and mingle, and more cozy round booths. The basement sort of feels like…More »

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 6. Pravda Vodka Bar

44 Wellington St E
Toronto, ON M5E 1C7
(416) 366-0303

Category: Lounges

Neighbourhoods: St. Lawrence, Downtown Core

4.0 star rating
  Update - 4/5/2011

Since my first visit, which was for dinner, I have been here a few more times. I definitely think this is better as a post-work drinks place or late night place, rather than for food (the food is good, but overpriced IMO).

Happy Hour here makes for a…More »

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  • 3.0 star rating
    4/5/2010

    Had dinner here recently on a Saturday night. When we got there it was really quiet. Love the… Read more »

 7. Proof The Vodka Bar

220 Bloor Street West
Toronto, ON M5S 1T8
(416) 800-3152

Categories: Lounges, Pubs

Neighbourhoods: The Annex, Downtown Core

4.0 star rating
  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…More »

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 8. Carens Wine & Cheese Bar

158 Cumberland St
Toronto, ON M5R 1A8
(416) 962-5158

Category: Wine Bars

Neighbourhood: Yorkville

4.0 star rating
  7/11/2010

Have been here twice for brunch and it is a real Yorkville find -- great ambiance, excellent food, good service, and surprisingly affordable especially for the area. Look for the yellow sign across from the Cumberland Theatres... It's easy to miss.
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 9. Sidecar

577 College St
Toronto, ON M6G 1B2
(416) 536-7000

Categories: Modern European, Canadian (New)

Neighbourhoods: Little Italy, Palmerston, Bickford Park

4.0 star rating
  5/11/2010

Great place all around! I came with a friend  for dinner on Friday. When I phoned to make a reservation they informed me that there was another reservation for our table in 2 hours and asked if it was okay. I appreciated them letting me know up…More »

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 10. Avenue

21 Avenue Rd
Toronto, ON M5R 2G1
(416) 964-0411

Category: Lounges

Neighbourhoods: The Annex, Yorkville

4.0 star rating
  4/13/2010

Elegant atmosphere and great (and strong!) martinis. They'll usually bring some complimentary munchies to go with your drink. Very thoughtful and polite service (a rarity in Yorkville if you look young and/or not dressed to the nines).

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 11. The Wine Bar

9 Church St
Toronto, ON M5E 1M2
(416) 504-9463

Categories: Tapas Bars, Wine Bars

Neighbourhood: St. Lawrence

3.0 star rating
  Update - 7/8/2010

Went here again this week. For the month of July they have a "G-ate" promotion - $25 for 3 courses. Basically trying to support businesses that lost money during the summit. However, depending on what you order, 3 "courses" may not fill you up. The…More »

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  • 4.0 star rating
    5/10/2010

    I ate here last week for dinner. I had been several times when it was "Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar" and… Read more »

 12. Screen Lounge

20 College St
Toronto, ON M5G 2B3

Category: Lounges

Neighbourhood: Downtown Core

3.0 star rating
  10/4/2011

As other reviewers have mentioned, Screen Lounge feels a lot more like King West than College/Yonge... so the experience is a bit odd. The heated rooftop patio is pretty sweet, although not the most scenic (overlooking Winners!). Came on a Saturday…More »

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 13. Blowfish on Bay

333 Bay St
Toronto, ON M5H 2T4
(416) 860-0606

Category: Asian Fusion

Neighbourhoods: Financial District, Downtown Core

3.0 star rating
  2/16/2012

*This review is just for drinks.*

Came here on a weeknight with a friend who works in the area. The vibe is very chichi and akin to places like Ki or Maro. It's dark and moody with sleek, minimalist design. There's a DJ booth by the door, but there…More »

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 14. The Saint

227 Ossington Avenue
Toronto, ON M6J 3A1

Categories: Bars, Gastropubs

Neighbourhoods: Little Portugal, Ossington Strip, Trinity Bellwoods, Beaconsfield Village

4.0 star rating
  Update - 5/22/2012

Came back here, this time for weekend brunch. This would be a perfect place for a group get together -- they take resos via OpenTable, and the semi-circle booths by the bar are cozy place to dine with friends! It's pretty quiet for brunch, I suppose…More »

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  • 3.0 star rating
    4/29/2012

    Originally slated to open in 2009, this Ossington bar has finally opened. It's sleek black and white… Read more »


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See all 29 lists »

Review votes:
665 Useful, 283 Funny, and 500 Cool

Location

Toronto, ON

Yelping Since

April 2010

Things I Love

sleeping in, dance, film fests, hello kitty, yoga, travel, carbs, karaoke, pandas

My Hometown

Mississauga

My Blog Or Website

http://twitter.com/TOp...

The Last Great Book I Read

"Dry" by Augusten Burroughs

My First Concert

Weezer

My Favourite Movie

Amores Perros, Before Sunset, Hable con Ella

My Last Meal On Earth

caprese salad, spaghetti cacio e pepe, tiramisu

Don't Tell Anyone Else But...

I want to see "Step Up 3D"

Most Recent Discovery

Kings of Convenience

Current Crush

Prabal Gurung