Toronto · Historic District
The Distillery District ran as Gooderham & Worts' whisky empire from 1832 to 1990, then sat derelict for thirteen years, then reopened in 2003 as the pedestrian-only Victorian-industrial heritage district it is today. The bar scene leans accordingly — whisky rooms, microbreweries, cocktail bars in former still-houses.
Polished, walkable, evening-into-late. Brick-and-stone Victorian architecture, no cars, restaurants-and-bars integrated. The destination drinking district for visitors; locals come for the better rooms (Cluny, El Catrin).
The Distillery District ran as Gooderham & Worts' whisky empire from 1832 to 1990, then sat derelict for thirteen years, then reopened in 2003 as the pedestrian-only Victorian-industrial heritage district it is today. The bar scene leans accordingly — whisky rooms, microbreweries, cocktail bars in former still-houses.
Around 6 bars we currently rate in Distillery District. The list runs cocktail rooms, craft beer halls, wine bars, and a couple of dives. For the ranked list, see the Toronto city guide and filter by neighbourhood, or browse our category pages below.
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