Where to grab a cocktail around the ACC in Toronto
Date night at the ACC? If you find yourself more ready for a quiet cocktail than for a rubbing of elbows with sloshy sports fans, know that the stadium-district and downtown core are flush with sexy spots that fit the bill. On those post-game nights when you’re looking for an antidote to the crowd, these hotel bars and long-loved canteens will set you up with anything from a Manhattan to a craft beer to a late-night dinner.
Drake One Fifty
150 York St, Toronto ON M5H 3S5In hot pursuit of a martini after an evening at the ACC? The Drake Hotel’s outpost at York and Adelaide is the spot to find one, alongside other made-so-right traditional cocktails and conceived-in-house innovations. The circular wraparound bar commands the attention as soon as you walk in, while vintage parlour lighting, green and leather tufted seating, and geometric tile floors cast a distinct Mad Men glow about the place. Hot tip: Drake One Fifty is nice mix of upscale and casual; it’ll suit your fanciest clothes and high heels just as well as your dressed-down Leafs game look.
Luckee Restaurant
328 Wellington St W, Toronto ON M5V 3T4No better way to follow a concert at the ACC than by drinking down a few cocktails in a saucy hotel bar – and the Soho Metropolitan Hotel’s Luckee is one of our fave spots to make it happen. Toronto legend Susur Lee serves up a sexy, Asian-inspired experience at this resto-bar dealing in Chinois Nouvelle cuisine. Crimson velvet couches, racy murals, and neon signage commingle in this unique space, a rare mix of upscale, intimate, and non-pretentious.
The Bar Hop Inc
391 King St W, Toronto ON M5V 1K1This compact cocktail house and brew pub is perched at King and Spadina, and has long been a mainstay of those looking for a lively atmosphere, sans drunk teenagers. The good vibes spot has been heralded as one of Toronto’s go-to pub spots, with a no-fuss atmosphere, plenty of craft beer, and a melange of interesting city folk hanging out. If the King and Spadina spot is a wee bit crowded, check out the sprawling second location at Queen and John (it’s just as great).
Fairmont Royal York
100 Front Street W., TORONTO ON M5J 1E3You won’t find too many young’uns at Toronto’s most infamous hotel bar, but it’s worth a visit for anyone looking to be whisked from downtown’s bustling streets and into a 1940s film. Old souls of all ages love the Library Bar at the Fairmont Royal York, furnished with leather couches and armchairs, wood panelling, and bookshelves of Canadian classics (hardcover and leather-bound, naturally). Located across the street from Union Station (aka a stone’s throw from the ACC), the lobby-level bar is the ideal spot to enjoy a whiskey neat and a boost of class to your evening.
The Ritz-Carlton
181, Wellington St W, Toronto ON M5V 3G7Live jazz several nights a week and a sommelier-selected list of wines make the Ritz Bar at The Ritz Carleton Hotel a tempting option for a post-game pick-me-up, or antidote to the crowds of an ACC concert. The high-ceilinged space is lit by an eye-catching red chandelier overhead, while modern furniture creates yet another upscale touch. And, in the warmer months, the hotel’s upper-level patio bar, Deq, presents a welcome outdoor alternative.
Victor Restaurant
30 Mercer St, Toronto ON M5V 1H3If you’re looking to accent your cocktail with candlelight, a plush couch to rest your tush and a wall-of-windows view to Mercer Street, Bar Victor at Le Germain Hotel should be your first stop. You’ll find classy Canadian-French and other fusion fare at this airy eatery, making it a perfect spot for dinner before your event at the ACC. Stop by after the spectacle and treat your date to a classic cocktail made right.
Mon Site Web
Mon Twitter
