Toronto

The 10 Best Bars with a View in Toronto

Toronto's most photographed drinks aren't on any menu — they're in the rooms with the right windows. The bars with a view on this list span every neighbourhood worth a trip — the central districts all show up — and every price tier from a $5 local pour to a $25 hotel-bar tasting. Each bar earns its spot for a different reason. We have visited every one.

  1. 01

    Kost at Bisha Hotel

    ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT · $$$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Kost at Bisha Hotel draws a steady local crowd in Entertainment District. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

  2. 02

    Lavelle Rooftop

    KING WEST · $$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Lavelle Rooftop draws a steady local crowd in King West. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

  3. 03

    Sky Yard at Drake Hotel

    QUEEN WEST · $$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Sky Yard at Drake Hotel draws a steady local crowd in Queen West. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.

  4. 04

    The Rooftop Lounge at Thompson Toronto

    KING WEST · $$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    The Rooftop Lounge at Thompson Toronto draws a steady local crowd in King West. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the e. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.

  5. 05

    The Rooftop at Cabin Five

    LIBERTY VILLAGE · $$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    The Rooftop at Cabin Five draws a steady local crowd in Liberty Village. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

  6. 06

    Allen's

    GREEKTOWN · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Allen's draws a steady local crowd in Greektown. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

  7. 07

    Archive 909

    QUEEN WEST · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Archive 909 draws a steady local crowd in Queen West. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.

  8. 08

    Bar Buca

    KING WEST · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Bar Buca draws a steady local crowd in King West. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.

  9. 09

    BarChef Toronto

    THE CENTRE · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    There is nothing in Toronto quite like BarChef, and after more than fifteen years operating on Queen West, that distinction remains intact. Frankie Solarik — th. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

  10. 10

    Bar Hop Toronto

    THE CENTRE · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Bar Hop has held its position as Toronto's most credible craft beer bar since opening on King West in 2012. The 50-tap wall covers every style intelligently: 8 . Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

Use this guide either as a single curated route through Toronto or as a checklist to revisit over a long weekend. Reservations are flagged where they matter. Otherwise, walk in. Below: the ten bars with a view that any serious drinker in Toronto would tell you to put on the list.

Kost at Bisha Hotel draws a steady local crowd in Entertainment District. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

Lavelle Rooftop draws a steady local crowd in King West. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

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Looking beyond Toronto? See our guide to the best bars with a view worldwide, or compare bars with a view city by city.