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The Best Places to Get Happy Hour Drinks in the Financial District

Rosa Kumar

8 months ago

The Best Places to Get Happy Hour Drinks in the Financial District

To all my fellow hybrid workers who commute to the office on our mandated bi-weekly scheduled basis, I am here to help. It's been a long time since we were haunting the halls of the Toronto PATH, looking for food and drinks, but it feels like everyone (Tuesday to Thursday anyway) is back in the financial hub of the city.

With so many Covid-closures (The Merchant, Irish Embassy, Duke of Westminster, etc.), many of our favourite haunts for a post-office tipple have disappeared. The following spots, however, are still thriving and lively, and perfect for a happy-hour stop. And as of 2023, this is now literal. The Financial District was once notable for lack of happy-hour deals in pre-covid days, but now there's a deal at almost every bar!

214 King St W

Coffee Oysters Champagne

"Work all day, shuck all night" - Coffee Oysters Champagne really knows its audience. A little further out west than the rest of the options, the swanky interiors are totally worth the trek; although you won't, unfortunately, find any happy hour deals here, you might find yourself attending a drag or burlesque show instead!

161 Bay St

Chotto Matte

The Japanese-Peruvian Chotto Matte on the ground floor of the the TD Tower is actually a restaurant, but it's a fantastically beautiful place to get drinks as well (it feels like you're in another country). Their happy hour deal runs from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, and you can get a two-for-one on their signature Tokyo to Lima cocktails.

270 Adelaide St W #300

Melrose on Adelaide

A personal favourite for atmosphere (and deals) - Melrose on Adelaide is beautiful, warm, romantic, and somehow still cozy. Their 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. happy hour deals include a $5 house lager, $7 wine options, and a few price-reduced snacks like $5 warm olives. They also have weekly feature cocktails and 1/2 wine bottles on Wednesdays.

Canadian Pl

Reds Wine Tavern

A good place to go if you're hungry AND thirsty; according to their website, they have happy hour from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. and DIY G&Ts.

37 King St E

The Consort Bar

As elegantly fussy as the name implies, the Consort Bar was designed in the style of an English aristocrats’ club, especially given its the lobby bar of the Omni King Edward Hotel. No happy hour deals are currently publicized, but they still have an amazing cocktail list.

100 Front St W

Clockwork

Another watering hole in the Fairmont Royal York, CLOCKWORK is their show-stopper lobby bar. They don't do a regular happy hour, but they do offer specials on occasion, and also an afternoon tea.

1 Adelaide St E

Craft Beer Market

If you want deals on food and drinks, CRAFT Beer Market is your place to go. Happy hour runs Monday to Thursday from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. and from 9 p.m. until closing. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m., and Sunday ALL DAY. With Pizza Mondays, Six Buck Tuesdays, the weekly food and beverage steals go beyond just happy hour.

100 Front St W

Library Bar at The Fairmont Royal York

This beautiful bar sits snug and a little hidden in the Fairmont Royal York, perfect for Union Station commuters who want to stop for one before heading on the Go Train to the 'burbs. The cocktail den has premium drinks, snacks, and of course, prices, sorry lads, no happy hour deals here.

77 Adelaide St W

Cactus Club Cafe

The Vancouver-born chain has two locations in Ontario, one in Sherway Gardens and one right here in the Financial District. They offer a liberal happy hour schedule: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m., and again from 9 p.m. to close on Sunday to Thursday, and 10 p.m. to close on Friday and Saturday.

18 Wellington St W

Jump Restaurant

Jump is a bit on the formal side, and it is a restaurant, but they do make it welcoming for the happy hour crowd (until 6 p.m. at least: $9 glasses of wine, $12 for a shot and a pint, $10 aperitivo, and even $2 oysters if you get a bottle of wine).

187 Bay St.

Walrus Pub and Beer Hall

Pub, beer hall, martini bar, the Walrus does it all (and even a happy hour, which runs from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m., so you'll just have to sneak in on a late lunch break). My favourite reason to go to the Walrus is their excellent choice of coffee table books and art.