The Best Beer Selection in Toronto
Opening a restaurant without a well thought out wine list is tantamount to suicide for any establishment, so why is it still okay for bars to get away with the unholy trinity of Canadian, Coors Light and Heineken? I say it isn't. I crave variety, complexity; I want to be seduced by a lively bouquet of bitter hops and dark caramel malt, or a playful golden thirst quencher on a hot summer day. So, I went off in search of the establishments that feel as strongly as I do about god's nectar.
Here are 15 bars and restaurants that have the best beer selection in Toronto.
Writing and small photos by John Papamarko Lead photos by Lyndsay Jobe, SJ Gardiner and SJ Gardiner again on Flickr
Victory Cafe
Located in the heart of Mirvish Village, the Victory patio is always packed with a mixture of upper year UofT students and other Annex locals enjoying the finest of Ontario’s micro brewed beers like F&M Stone Hammer, Durham County and if you’re looking for something really different, try the Nickelbrook Maple Porter. More...
The Rhino
Characterized by the large, stuffed Rhino head behind the bar, Parkdale’s Rhino has something for everyone. Updated monthly, the Beer list is alphabetized by country and colour coded by style of beer. This can come in handy with over 340 bottles to choose from. More...
Bar Volo
Their cask events are legendary and they’re currently running a tournament pinning Ontario IPA’s against each other in a battle royale of ales. Volo’s menu is updated so frequently that you can even subscribe to their RSS feed and keep abreast of changes. Finally, a real use for RSS! More...
Beerbistro
Not for the light of wallet, a true Beerbistro experience includes pairing your beer with dinner. The menu and staff make that an easy and satisfying experience. If you’re adventurous, try something from their beer cellar, which is packed with exclusive Lambics and other rare treats. More...
Bier Markt
Better suited for a quick afternoon foray than an evening out. After 9pm this place turns into the Brunny for the Bay Street set. However, you can’t discount it entirely because where else in this city can you find a bottle of Hoegaarden Gran Cru? On a Friday afternoon, don’t even think about getting a table on the patio without a lengthy wait. More...
C'est What?
The place to go if you’re looking for craft brewed Ontario beers not readily available at the LCBO, the staff at C’est What know their products and are quick with a suggestion or free sample if you’re waffling. Service can be a bit touch and go on busy nights, but the staggering selection, interesting food and casual atmosphere more than make up for any shortfalls. More...
Ciro's
Despite having an intimidating beer list chocked full of Lambics and world class strong ales, this small west end bar doesn’t take themselves too seriously. Proclaiming on the menu, “Remember, Bier is to be FUN!!!” Casual bars are great, but I still would have liked properly branded glassware with my pint. More...
Smokeless Joe
Unfortunately named and in the heart of the entertainment district, Joe’s is often overlooked by beer connoisseurs as just another John St. Stella mill. Its compact size can be deceiving, but Joe’s can boast over 200 different bottles and a dozen beers on tap that are constantly changing. Their beer list chalkboard isn’t a style choice, it’s a necessity. More...
Sin & Redemption
This busy resto lounge is capitalizing on the increased foot traffic brought to the area by the AGO, but their beer list reflects their target market, bland tourist types. There’s no reason to have Budweiser, Stella Artois and both of their light counterparts on tap anywhere. Other than that, their selection is pretty decent, but I couldn’t help but think about what they would have offered in place of those four. More...
Allens
A sophisticated irish pub, Allens has long been the default stop before an evening at the Danforth Music Hall, and in many other cases the destination itself. A throw back to the casual class of the 1950s, Allens impressive selection of beers can be found behind an even more impressive wood bar. More...
Abbot on the Hill
This quaint uptown pub has the feeling of a Trappist monastery, but the beers offered read more like the menu of a British ale house. Fullers, Old Speckled Hen, etc. and the only European beers offered are readily available in the smallest LCBO’s in town. The staff are helpful, but they have to be, as the menu is so sparse it’s even omitted the prices. More...
The Only Cafe
The Only Café is indeed the only place on our list that can boast a rock song written about it. In the 1990s, The Lowest Of The Low pined “Let's take a walk down to the Only and drink until our kidneys fail” Patrons still drink with a purpose and look past the garage sale furniture, poor lighting and lack of a beer menu. This is definitely not a destination for beer tourists. More...
Dominion on Queen
A Queen St. E. institution, The Dominion features 20 tap selections that change about once every three weeks, including White Seal lager, brewed by Great Lakes brewery just for the Dominion. Try their tap sampler, three six ounce glasses for six dollars. More...
Le Select Bistro
As authentic a Parisian bistro as you can find in Toronto, Le Select Bistro has mood an ambiance locked up. You could be drinking a Blue Light and still feel like you’re sitting in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. Thankfully, you won’t have to drink Blue Light, as they stock an excellent selection of old European beers from France and Belguim and most of what Quebec brewery Unibroue has to offer. More...
Comments (45)
I'd like the Rhino a lot better if they ever had any beer in stock. In my experience, their menu lists everything they've ever carried, and ordering involves five or six tries with servers who have no idea what is and isn't available, and eventually settling on something boring but available.
if the menu was half as diverse as its beer selection, Bier Markt may be a place to which i'd return... but given that their food selection is seriously underwhelming (and i'm pretty sure the mussels made a quarter of our group ill), i'd have a hard time returning, even for the beer.
No love for Castro's located out in the Beaches. Cozy atmosphere and 100+ bottles, beer tastings and more.
There's also Castro's Lounge in the Beaches (2116 Queen St E). Great unpretentious little pub with an excellent selection of imports and microbrews.
http://www.torontolife.com/guide/bars-and-clubs/bars/castros-lounge/
And, IMO, C'est What >>>> Bier Markt.
Argh! Beaten!
Another bonus with Castro's - if you go on Saturdays you can win a dildo at Dirty Bingo!
The Only cafe makes your list for top beer selection, yet in the write up you condemn it for "lack of a beer menu" and even say "this is definitely not a destination for beer tourists." Huh? Did you run out of bars (I think not).
I can agree with all the bars mentioned, however in the light of "best beer selection" Bar Volo and Beer Bistro are by far the number one in the city, if not the country. At both these establishments, the staff are educated, friendly and advocate the craft beer movement. Their beer selection exceeds beyond draft choice, but unique bottles both places have seeked out from around the world, especially their american micro selections. Volo does a tremendous job with their weekly casks and their countless beer oriented events are top notch. Again, this is just coming from a beer lover who has been to all these establishments. Victory and Rhino are situated in trendy spots in toronto, which is why i can understand blogto placed them at the top.
It's true. The Rhino is good - but the food also sucks. Victory Cafe is pretty awesome. The menu, beer and service @ Beer Bistro is amazing. They also do amazing parings. It's pretty sad they don't have a patio.
Oh my. Please tell me these aren't ranked. Tell me they're just a list (and a good one at that) of the top fifteen beer joints in the city, listed in no particular order.
If these *are* supposed to be ranked, then I'd beg to differ and emphatically agree with Hop's top two. I'd sneak Smokeless Joe in there at #3, maybe, but I might be biased. That place is so small and laid back that it feels like I'm drinking in my garage...if my garage had a fridge full of trappist ale in the back.
Agreed, Dan: Surely Smokeless Joe's ought to be close to the top and the Victory (though I do like it) further down if we are judging on the basis of the beer selection alone.
As for Bier Markt, have you actually tried ordering bottled beer there? They are consistently out of like 85% of what's on the menu. Order a more exotic-sounding Belgian and I'll wager they'll come back and tell you they don't have it "right now." This has happened to me several times during every single visit to the place.
It's as if the menu is simply a boast to make it seem as if they carry far more beers than they actually do.
I had the same question about Sin and Redemption. I asked our server when we were there and he said that the taps belonged to/were purchased from Budweiser, so they had to serve it.
Bier Markt on King West has really interesting menu items, that they rotate regularly. I was super impressed with their Fondue at Valentine's... and they have blue cheese poutine.
Hey Raptor Rob,
The Only Cafe has a staggering selection of beers, but they don't have a menu, which makes ordering pretty difficult for the uninitiated. I wasn't condemning it, just making sure people won't be expecting to go in and be presented with a 25 page tome of information like some of the other places on the list.
If you're in the east end, i'd recommend checking it out.
~john
I agree with raptorob.
You say the Only has a lack of beer menu but then when you click the link provided you get this description: "with over a dozen beers on tap, and a hundred bottled beers to choose from, The Only Cafe is a true neighbourhood gem."
Prey tell exactly how many beers constitutes an adequate beer menu?
This is a pretty good list but I'd have to agree that Castro's exclusion is a pretty big oversight.
Also, The Only is a great place for tourists if they're in the area. I always recommend it for people looking for a little character.
Both the Bier Markt and The Rhino are consistently out of beers and Smokeless Joes' (while good) food menu has gone down in quality a bit (chowder's still terrific!).
PS. And like that other person mentioned, The Rhino is filthy and their food is bad.
An interesting comparison
http://ratebeer.com/Places/FindPlacesByCity.asp?SortBy=2&CountryID=39&StateID=59&City=Toronto
I really don't think The Local should be on there. If it is, then Magpie should be included in this list. But given the breadth of beer selection at Bar Volo, The Rhino, etc., neither should be on here.
The Abbott on the Hill is great for a date - interesting beers and a great menu. The two owners split the duties - one runs the kitchen, the other runs the bar/orders the beer.
They often get limited supplies in direct, stuff you can't get at the LCBO as the article seems to imply.
You forgot The Harbord House.
150 Harbord St
All craft brewers on tap and great service comes standard... Highly recommended!
I agree with a lot of what others have said, but I have to say that although the beer list at Smokeless Joe's is great, the service for food is awful, and some of the food is mediocre at best.
Volo is my favourite place for different types of beer. I also like Beer Bistro. Both places have knowledgeable servers, which is great. C'est What usually has something that I find interesting too.
And yes, Harbord House! I love that place. Great menu and good beer.
I've been to the Abbot on the Hill a couple of times and enjoyed it as well. Good beer selections, good food and usually less crowded than Rebel House down the street.
Bier Markt on King, go for the beer if you must, don't eat, the food and the service are shite. Last time got dragged there for a workplace social lunch some people never got ordered apps (but they were on the bill, which at least they did correct without arguement), other apps arrived at same time as mains and one even showed up well after most of the party (and it wasn't a huge one) were having their mains cleared.
I had an opposite experience. I went in with low expectations being vegan and having to go for a business lunch, and the chef made me an amazing flatbread that blew me away.
First of: i am not a beer man...
However: Jerrold took me to Beerbistro and changed my opinion - the 3-part 'beer-tasting' thing you can get is awesome - and get this - reasonably priced!
Check it out, it is really neat!
jonathan@blogTO
Bier Market Rocks!!! Drinks Festival coming to Toronto this week... Great show... Check out the details below...
Only restaurants between Greenwood and High Park have decent selections of beer? It's a shame that so many of these lists give the impression that it's still 1997 and that "Toronto" doesn't apply to the former suburbs or even the wider GTA.
It's a shame that so many of these best of Toronto lists give the impression that it's still 1997 and the former suburbs, let alone the rest of the GTA, doesn't count as "Toronto".
It baffles me how places with reasonably static taplists have managed to beat out Volo, Beerbistro and C'est What for beer selection. I mean count the taps at Beerbistro and then check out the breadth and depth of their bottled selection. I'm guessing you're a west-ender John?
I think the list you have compiled is pretty good. The notable omissions from it are;
Castro's, Cloak & Dagger, Magpie, and Granite.
Since you didn't stipulate specific criteria for your article beyond "best beer selection" I think it's rash for anyone to argue that this means "largest craft beer selection" or "greatest variety"...I think you are simply pointing out the better beer destinations in town. "Selection" can be 6 beers of exceptional quality depending on how you choose to interpret the word. Having said that the ranking of them is fairly subjective and if it was your intention for this article to do so I think many of us would disagree with the order...but my guess is the numbers aren't actually rankings and the placement is random.
Regardless...for those of you who enjoy this kind of discussion and aren't yet aware of www.bartowel.com you should check it out and join in the ongoing discussions on the "forums" page. Cheers.
There seems to be some confusion about whether these are ranked or not and what the criteria was. Like almost all of our Best of Toronto lists, this one was determined by a reader vote.
The Cloak and Dagger should be high on this list. They have a microbrew on tap for every seat in the bar!
The problem with these lists is that they're voted on by the hip & trendy who never go anywhere it isn't cool to be seen. This is why The Victory can be voted as having a greater beer selection than beerbistro, which caters more to businesspeople and beer nerds.
Also, I just noticed C'est What did make the list. I'm dumb like that.
Mill Street & The Granite didn't, so that's only one of three brewpubs.
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