We’ll see you in there.
Connect to customize your food & drink discovery.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
The Best Speakeasies and Hidden Bars in Toronto
Written By
The Best Speakeasies and Hidden Bars in Toronto
The best speakeasies in Toronto may be hard to find – but reward your effort with some of the city's most covetable sips. Sneak past heavy curtains and through hidden doors, down dimly lit staircases and into rooms perched above the main action, and stumble upon sexy rooms rife with style, swagger and enough booze to push the memory of prohibition dramatically into the rear view.
Seek out the best speakeasies in Toronto, and spend a night treasure-hunting your new favourite watering hole.
The Gift Shop
Suited to small groups, this tiny haunt at the back of an Ossington barbershop is as refreshingly surprising as bars can be. Thanks to a clever approach to mixology, scoring a table can be an adventure.
The Gift Shop
Suited to small groups, this tiny haunt at the back of an Ossington barbershop is as refreshingly surprising as bars can be. Thanks to a clever approach to mixology, scoring a table can be an adventure.
Secrette
Perched above GEORGE Restaurant, on Queen East, this cozy spot serves top-notch small plates alongside stunning sippers. Serious skills paired with a playful approach guarantee a good time.
Secrette
Perched above GEORGE Restaurant, on Queen East, this cozy spot serves top-notch small plates alongside stunning sippers. Serious skills paired with a playful approach guarantee a good time.
West Queen West
1036 Queen St W
Prequel & Co.
Stepping into this hidden space means stepping into the Belle Époque period — complete with luxe touches, nature-inspired décor and a proliferation of French influences. Yield to a menu of elegant snacks, romantic cocktails and the feeling of being a million miles from home.
Prequel & Co.
West Queen West
1036 Queen St W
Stepping into this hidden space means stepping into the Belle Époque period — complete with luxe touches, nature-inspired décor and a proliferation of French influences. Yield to a menu of elegant snacks, romantic cocktails and the feeling of being a million miles from home.
Lonely Bar
Delve deep inside College Street's buzzy Midnight Market and, if you're lucky, you'll end up staring down the Insta-ready offerings at this heady spot. Order off the menu or leave your fate up to the crew — either way, you're in good hands.
Lonely Bar
Delve deep inside College Street's buzzy Midnight Market and, if you're lucky, you'll end up staring down the Insta-ready offerings at this heady spot. Order off the menu or leave your fate up to the crew — either way, you're in good hands.
Liquid Courage
The red sign marks the spot — if what you're looking for is the speakeasy occupying space beneath Mother Tongue. Seven nights a week, join other in-the-know types for noteworthy cocktails, naughty bar bites and the allure of the swank surroundings.
Liquid Courage
The red sign marks the spot — if what you're looking for is the speakeasy occupying space beneath Mother Tongue. Seven nights a week, join other in-the-know types for noteworthy cocktails, naughty bar bites and the allure of the swank surroundings.
Bloorcourt Village
878 Bloor St W
Civil Liberties
Bar
Guided by little more than a pineapple-shaped sign and the promise of customized cocktails, tenacious types find their way to this hidden-in-plain sight spot on Bloor. There's no menu here, so shoot the bartender a notion — from a flavour, to a mood, even a dream — and wait for the surprise to hit.
Civil Liberties
Bloorcourt Village
878 Bloor St W
Guided by little more than a pineapple-shaped sign and the promise of customized cocktails, tenacious types find their way to this hidden-in-plain sight spot on Bloor. There's no menu here, so shoot the bartender a notion — from a flavour, to a mood, even a dream — and wait for the surprise to hit.
Bar
Charlemagne Cocktail Bar
Instead of bidding adieu to Café Renee, end a night at the bustling European eatery at its effortlessly chic and spirited (sort of secret) upstairs bar. Here, bar bites include chef Nick Liu's famed dumplings and cocktails are as wild and wonderful as you'd expect.
Charlemagne Cocktail Bar
Instead of bidding adieu to Café Renee, end a night at the bustling European eatery at its effortlessly chic and spirited (sort of secret) upstairs bar. Here, bar bites include chef Nick Liu's famed dumplings and cocktails are as wild and wonderful as you'd expect.
King West
102 Portland St
XXX
A true cocktail den, this diminutive spot (below Little Sister Portland) comes complete with red lights, a covert entry system, and cocktails that have garnered national praise. Wait your turn, then settle into the intimate space with something from the boundary-pushing menu — or something custom made.
XXX
King West
102 Portland St
A true cocktail den, this diminutive spot (below Little Sister Portland) comes complete with red lights, a covert entry system, and cocktails that have garnered national praise. Wait your turn, then settle into the intimate space with something from the boundary-pushing menu — or something custom made.
Sous Sol
From Thursday to Saturday, scurry down the steps at Maison Selby and slip between the crack in the white-tiled wall to find this exclusive space. With room for just 26, and a no-reservations policy, only a select few each night can tuck into the bar's French-style plates and house drinks made with Maison Selby-branded booze.
Sous Sol
From Thursday to Saturday, scurry down the steps at Maison Selby and slip between the crack in the white-tiled wall to find this exclusive space. With room for just 26, and a no-reservations policy, only a select few each night can tuck into the bar's French-style plates and house drinks made with Maison Selby-branded booze.
Bar Habana
When the red light is on, this sexy little space at the back of La Cubana Ossington is open for business. Inside, the team pours signature cocktails and delivers plate after plate of snack-sized sustenance. Part dessert, part espresso martini, the Carajillo Affogato is 100% a good idea.
Bar Habana
When the red light is on, this sexy little space at the back of La Cubana Ossington is open for business. Inside, the team pours signature cocktails and delivers plate after plate of snack-sized sustenance. Part dessert, part espresso martini, the Carajillo Affogato is 100% a good idea.
Bar 404
Step inside this glowing space and witness what elevated elegance means. Besides the sophisticated scene, this one boasts a requisite hidden entrance, unique cocktails and delicious bites.
Bar 404
Step inside this glowing space and witness what elevated elegance means. Besides the sophisticated scene, this one boasts a requisite hidden entrance, unique cocktails and delicious bites.
Bar Bowie
Do your laundry, then unwind over martinis and bar bites at this subterranean spot. The team may reject the speakeasy designation — but if the shoe fits, we say wear it with pride.
Bar Bowie
Do your laundry, then unwind over martinis and bar bites at this subterranean spot. The team may reject the speakeasy designation — but if the shoe fits, we say wear it with pride.
After Seven
A list of house rules doesn't spoil the fun at this spot tucked inside Kome Yogurt, on Stephanie Street. Whisky and truffle tastings are for the bold, with the team's refined drinks — from the Curry Colada to the Ginza Glow — pleasing everyone in between.
After Seven
A list of house rules doesn't spoil the fun at this spot tucked inside Kome Yogurt, on Stephanie Street. Whisky and truffle tastings are for the bold, with the team's refined drinks — from the Curry Colada to the Ginza Glow — pleasing everyone in between.
Little Italy
503 College St
LoPan
Bucking the subterranean trend, this speakeasy invites the curious to venture above Dailo for scrumptious sips and snacks, including Dailo's renowned Big Mac Bao.
LoPan
Little Italy
503 College St
Bucking the subterranean trend, this speakeasy invites the curious to venture above Dailo for scrumptious sips and snacks, including Dailo's renowned Big Mac Bao.
Dundas West
1468 Dundas St W
Cry Baby Gallery
Bar
Go for the art, stay for the killer drinks at this Dundas West gem. Here, the team treats house syrups, infusions and more like a liquid artist's palette — mixing their medium of choice into a number of masterful pieces.
Cry Baby Gallery
Dundas West
1468 Dundas St W
Go for the art, stay for the killer drinks at this Dundas West gem. Here, the team treats house syrups, infusions and more like a liquid artist's palette — mixing their medium of choice into a number of masterful pieces.
Bar
Leslieville
1047 Gerrard St E
The Vatican Gift Shop
A speakeasy that recognizes the importance of a serious food program, this one matches Neapolitan-style pizzas with old-world brews and crafty cocktails. As at any place of worship, there's plenty of room for everyone at this spacious spot.
The Vatican Gift Shop
Leslieville
1047 Gerrard St E
A speakeasy that recognizes the importance of a serious food program, this one matches Neapolitan-style pizzas with old-world brews and crafty cocktails. As at any place of worship, there's plenty of room for everyone at this spacious spot.
Dundas West
1276 Dundas St W
Mahjong Bar
Bar
Expansive, by most speakeasy standards, this spot is no less intimate, dimly lit, booze-soaked or sultry than its pocket-sized brethren. Dig past the nondescript bodega fronting the joint, and find a full menu, plenty of liquid temptations and soft serve, for a sweet finish.
Mahjong Bar
Dundas West
1276 Dundas St W
Expansive, by most speakeasy standards, this spot is no less intimate, dimly lit, booze-soaked or sultry than its pocket-sized brethren. Dig past the nondescript bodega fronting the joint, and find a full menu, plenty of liquid temptations and soft serve, for a sweet finish.
Bar
Entertainment District
214 King St W
À Toi
Bar
Any place accessed through a Champagne fridge is bound to be a delightfully French flight of fancy. Begin the night at Coffee Oysters Champagne, then carry on behind the bubbly wall, where the mood is sultry, the snacks are luxurious, and your secrets are safe — for a time.
À Toi
Entertainment District
214 King St W
Any place accessed through a Champagne fridge is bound to be a delightfully French flight of fancy. Begin the night at Coffee Oysters Champagne, then carry on behind the bubbly wall, where the mood is sultry, the snacks are luxurious, and your secrets are safe — for a time.
Bar