Hemingway's
Hemingway’s has been been a Toronto bar institution for decades. Despite its literary name, this is a party spot packed with multiple levels of patios that are known for being open year round, heated and covered in the winter and misted in the summer.
This place is more likely to pluck the heartstrings of Kiwis than book lovers (it actually has nothing to do with Ernest Hemingway) as it’s owned by a pair of them, Martin McSkimming and Daimin Bodnar.
It’s decorated with road signs from New Zealand, kiwi-bird-themed items and framed jerseys from an Australian football club they sponsor.
The patios have different names like McSheep, a nickname of Martin’s, and Shotover, a river in New Zealand.
The upper patio is, of course, fully equipped with its own tin-roofed bar.
All cocktails are $10, a great price point for the area.
A Beachcomber is breezy and easy-drinking, made with tequila, lime juice, and Chambord which gives it a tartness and pink colour, shaken and topped with slightly spicy ginger beer over ice, garnished with a lime wedge.
A punchy mojito muddles rum with brown sugar, lime, mint and simple syrup and tops it with thirst-quenching soda.
Among the offerings of import and craft beer there are rotating seasonal choices like 9% pinot noir Shiny cider that combines a gal’s two favourite things, cider and wine.
Nachos ($16) come in a shareable pile, topped with melted cheddar and mozzarella that’s more on the crispy side than gooey, and loaded with tomatoes, green onions, peppers, olives, jalapenos, served with the usual sour cream, guac and salsa.
A salmon salad is surprisingly tasty, though it does clock in at $18. But you do get nice big, cooked, flaky salmon filets on top of your bed of baby spinach with a pleasing combo of mango, cubed avocado, strawberry and tomato tossed in a wasabi, lemon, olive oil and rice vinegar dressing.
They’re known for their New Zealand lamb burger ($15), a grilled ground New Zealand spring lamb patty on a toasted egg bun with lettuce, onion, tomato, pickle, along with goat cheese and mint jelly for something slightly different.
The place brings together the vibes of Yorkville past and present.
It’s as much a meeting spot at the end of the day for workers dressed to the nines as it is for Yorkville locals who have been here forever, shoppers or students. Leave pretension at the door and get ready for outdoor bar fun.
Jesse Milns
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Hemingway's
Hemingway's
13 Upcoming Events
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June 29
It’s a trivia night about nothing… and absolutely everything! Grab your friends and compete in a night dedicated to tv’s most iconic sitcom!
Join us at Hemingway’s on Monday, June 29th for Seinfeld Trivia!
From Festivus and puffy shirts to marble rye disasters, questionable dating decisions, and endlessly quotable moments from Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer, this trivia night celebrates every …
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June 30
Grab your favourite hockey romance readers and compete in a night of trivia dedicated to one of BookTok’s most beloved love stories.
Join us at Hemingway’s on Wednesday, June 17th for Heated Rivalry Trivia!
From unforgettable tension and secret meetups to iconic quotes, emotional moments, hockey chaos, and everything between Shane and Ilya, this trivia night is designed for the viewers who became…
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June 30
Somebody saaaave your spot at trivia night! Grab your friends and compete in a night dedicated to one of tv's most beloved superhero!
Join us at Hemingway’s on Tuesday, June 30th for Smallville Trivia!
From meteor freaks and Kryptonian secrets to legendary Lana and Lois moments, Luthor family drama, and Clark Kent’s long journey toward becoming Superman, this trivia night celebrates every er…
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July 6
Think you know sports? From championship moments to legendary athletes, put your knowledge to the test at Sports Trivia!
From the Olympics to the Stanley Cup, March Madness to the Global championships, Sports Trivia is your chance to prove you're the ultimate fan.
Join us for a night of questions covering athletes, teams, championships, records, rivalries, and unforgettable moments from acro…
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July 7
Return to Briar U and test your knowledge of bestselling Off Campus TV series! Hockey, romance, and chaos await!
Join us for Off Campus Trivia, a night celebrating the hit TV series based on the bestselling novels. From locker room friendships to complicated relationships, we'll test your knowledge of all the romance, drama, hockey, and unforgettable moments from the show.
Whether you'v…
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July 8
Think you know a little bit about everything? Grab your smartest friends and compete in a night of fast paced pub trivia at Hemingway’s.
Join us on Wednesday, July 8th for a night of Pub Trivia hosted by Almost Jeopardy!
From pop culture, movies, and music to sports, history, internet chaos, and completely random facts you forgot your brain stored away, this game covers a little bit of everything…
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July 13
From cult classics to blockbuster hits, test your film knowledge in a night of movie trivia at Hemingway’s.
Join us on the second Monday of every month for Movie Trivia hosted by Almost Jeopardy!
From unforgettable quotes and iconic soundtracks to award winners, animated favourites, comedies, horror, action, and deep cut film knowledge, this trivia night covers every corner of the movie world. Wh…
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July 14
Do-Re-Mi your way to victory! Test your knowledge of iconic movie musicals, songs, stars, and show-stopping moments
Join us for Movie Musicals Trivia, a celebration of the biggest songs, characters, performances, and unforgettable moments from your favourite musical films.
From The Sound of Music to Chicago, Hairspray to Mamma Mia!, Grease to Wicked, we'll cover classic favourites, modern hi…
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July 15
Excellent! Test your knowledge of Springfield's finest family, unforgettable quotes, and decades of Simpsons history
Ay caramba!
We're heading back to the Golden Age of The Simpsons for a trivia night dedicated exclusively to Seasons 1–7!
From Homer's misadventures and Bart's pranks to Springfield's unforgettable residents, classic episodes, running gags, and legendary on…
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July 20
From Babe Ruth to Shohei Ohtani, test your knowledge of baseball legends, records, rivalries, and unforgettable moments ⚾
Play ball!
Step up to the plate for Baseball Trivia, a celebration of America's pastime and the legends who helped shape the game. From historic World Series moments and record-breaking performances to iconic teams, unforgettable players, and baseball's biggest contr…
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July 21
Who's that girl? Test your knowledge of loft shenanigans, True American, and one of TV's funniest sitcoms
From Jess, Nick, Schmidt, Winston, and Cece to iconic relationships, running gags, hilarious quotes, and memorable episodes, we'll test your knowledge of all seasons of New Girl.
Whether you're a fan of Nick's wisdom, Schmidt's dramatics, Prank Sinatra, or Jess&#…
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July 28
From Snow White to Tarzan, test your knowledge of Disney's animated classics through the legendary Disney Renaissance ✨
Be our guest for a night of Disney Animated Classics Trivia!
This game celebrates Disney's animated feature films from the studio's earliest classics through the end of the Disney Renaissance in 1999. From Snow White and Cinderella to The Little Mermaid, Beauty an…
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July 29
The drama is fresh, the taglines are ready, and the champagne is chilled. Test your RHORI knowledge
You heard it here first: it's time for Real Housewives of Rhode Island Trivia!
Join us for a night dedicated to Bravo's newest Housewives franchise. From iconic introductions and unforgettable moments to friendships, feuds, family drama, and everything in between, we'll put your RHOR…
