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
Latest Videos
Hemingway's
Hemingway's
11 Upcoming Events
-
May 12
Coffee, chaos, and fast talk at Gilmore Girls Trivia! Test your Stars Hollow knowledge, from Luke’s diner to Friday night dinners.
From Stars Hollow town meetings and rapid-fire pop culture references, this night celebrates everything that makes Gilmore Girls iconic.
Expect questions across all seasons, unforgettable relationships, and the moments that made you laugh, cry, and crave takeout.
Brin…
-
May 13
Rosé, drama, and weekends away at Summer House Trivia! Test your Hamptons knowledge, hookups, and chaos. Send it!
From Hamptons share house chaos to iconic fights, friendships, and questionable decisions, this night covers everything that’s gone down between Friday arrival and Sunday departure.
Expect questions on cast drama (some more recent than others!!), hookups, themed parties, and the momen…
-
May 19
Come on Boot, it's roll call for The Rookie Trivia! From patrol to high-stakes ops, prove you know the drama at the Mid-Wilshire Division.
From John Nolan’s late start in the LAPD to high-stakes cases, intense training, and evolving partnerships (i.e. #Chenford ), this night covers the biggest moments from The Rookie.
Expect questions on key storylines, character arcs, unforgettable cases, a…
-
May 20
Pub Trivia is coming to Hemingway's this week!
TorontoTrivia.com presents: Almost Jeopardy?* Trivia Night - Toronto's favourite Trivia Night every other Wednesday with fresh new questions this week at Hemingway's!
Bi-weekly we have a brand new quiz to challenge your team in the quest for Trivia Glory. The things you'll see in the quiz might be on your episode when YOU appear o…
-
May 25
Goals, glory, and global pride at FIFA World Cup Trivia! From legends to last-minute winners, test your football knowledge. ⚽
The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 starts here!
From legendary goals and iconic players to unforgettable finals and global upsets, this trivia night celebrates the biggest tournament in football history.
Expect questions across decades of World Cup moments; past cham…
-
May 26
Remember the chaos, cases, and high-stakes shifts at The Pitt Trivia! Test your knowledge of the ER, the team, and every intense moment.
Welcome to The Pitt.
From chaotic ER shifts and life-or-death decisions to the team dynamics that keep it all together, this trivia night dives into the intensity of The Pitt.
Expect questions on major cases, character arcs, hospital politics, and the moments th…
-
May 27
Celebrate 46 years with us! Enjoy music, raffle prizes & swag as we thank this amazing community for another year of love and loyalty!
Forty-six years in Yorkville doesn’t happen by accident.
Join us on Wednesday, May 27th starting at 5pm as we celebrate 46 years of packed patios, late nights, and the community that’s made it all possible.
We’re marking the occasion the only way we know how: …
-
June 1
Grab your favourite Gleeks, test your knowledge, and compete in a night dedicated to one of television’s most iconic musical series!
Step into the halls of William McKinley High for a night of Glee Trivia at Hemingway’s on Monday, June 1st.
From unforgettable performances and iconic mashups to Sue Sylvester insults, Nationals drama, and emotional character moments, this trivia night will challeng…
-
June 2
Keep up and compete in a night of trivia dedicated to television’s most iconic reality TV family and their unforgettable empire.
Step into the world of Calabasas chaos for The Kardashians Trivia at Hemingway’s on Tuesday, June 2nd.
From iconic fights and viral one liners to luxury brands, relationships, family drama, and legendary Keeping Up moments, this trivia night is designed for the fans who…
-
June 3
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, June 3rd 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…
-
June 4
We’re celebrating Amsterdam’s 40th Anniversary with a night built for the people who’ve been part of it, and the ones just joining the story.
To kick things off: “40 beers for 40 damn good years.”
The first 40 guests through the door? Your first beer is on us!
Inside, the night keeps moving:
- Scratch & Win cards with prizes ranging from free apps (yes, nachos are in play) to pitchers of beer…
