The top after work bars in the Financial District will help you forget about all the fluorescent lights and files that permeate your day at the office. Instead of fighting traffic immediately after leaving work, opt to stop by one of the area's top watering holes for a beverage or two. Most of them also double as restaurants, so you may want to stick around for dinner.

Here are my picks for the top after work bars in the Financial District.

3 Brewers
3 Brewers has a few locations in Toronto, but the Financial District spot is one of its best. The French microbrewery/restaurant caters to those looking for an elevated pub experience, serving up classic eats and craft beers. Grab a house-brewed beverage and post up at the bar, or, if the weather's nice, take it outside to the patio and people watch on Adelaide.

Beerbistro
As the name suggests, this place caters to beer lovers. Its drink menu boasts options for every type of brew fanatic, flaunting everything from thirst-quenching wheat beers to bold ales. If you're with a crowd that enjoys pinot noir more than pints, the wine list here is more than satisfactory.

SpeakEasy 21
This sleek cocktail lounge on Adelaide will help you forget about mergers and budget balancing with its extensive list of libations. You'll find the menu stacked with dozens of classic signature cocktails plus a healthy selection of brews and wines. It also has an elevated sidewalk patio that makes for a great summer spot.

Cactus Club
After looking at a computer screen all day, you probably want to go somewhere with some visual appeal. Cactus Club boasts some of the best art in the city outside of the AGO - you'll see works by Mr. Brainwash and Andy Warhol on its walls - making it infinitely better than your average pub. The drink menu has all the tried-and-true options plus a smattering of more interesting cocktails.

The Merchant
The Merchant is the perfect middle-of-the-road spot to grab a drink after work. It's not as swanky as the Cactus Club but it's a far cry from a sports bar. You'll find a wide selection of imported beers and beers on tap plus all the standard cocktails. If you're looking for a bargain, they offer daily drink specials around the $5 mark.

Irish Embassy
Perched on the corner of Yonge and Wellington you'll find the Irish Embassy, a Financial District mainstay. The bar is rowdier than most watering holes in the area, making it a favourite of more than just suit-clad business people. If you're in the mood to shed your Fred Perry button-down and let loose, this is where to go.

The Calvin Bar
Located at the foot of the Trump Hotel, The Calvin Bar is a favourite of those who enjoy the finer things in life. The cocktail menu sports a bevy of updated classics like almond old fashioneds and guava and berry mimosas. If you really feel like treating yourself, the liquor and wine lists are both extensive and expensive.

Duke of Westminster
Prefer a more laid-back atmosphere post-work? The Duke of Westminster will be right up your alley. The British-inspired bar serves up standard pub grub (think shepherd's pie and fish 'n' chips) and has a solid selection of craft and imported beers on tap. If you're closer to York and Wellington, its sister bar, Duke of Devon, has a similar vibe.

Earls Toronto
Earls may not have the most exotic or lengthy drink menu in the city, but the bartenders here can craft all the staples to perfection. If you're in the mood for a Moscow mule, paloma or margarita, it's got you covered. It also has daily drink specials in the $5-$7 neighbourhood, if you're trying to be fiscally responsible.

Drake One Fifty
The offshoot of the Drake Hotel is well-loved by the business crowds for its art, eats and drinks. The upscale lounge features works by established and emerging artists (like Gary Baseman) and serves up expertly-crafted cocktails in the $15 range.

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What did I miss? Add your favourite after work bar in the Financial District to the comments.

Photo of Drake 150 by Jesse Milns.