CKTL & Co.
CKTL & Co. is Toronto's first stock market-themed bar and cocktail lounge in the heart of the Financial District.
Committed to the theme, everything from the bar's name CKTL (referring to the ticker symbol for the word "cocktail") to fluctuating menu prices based on supply and demand is an ode to the stock exchange.
Located at the corner of Bay and Adelaide, the 4000-square-foot bar took over an old office space with a polished makeover that can seat 95 people.
The dark interior is highlighted with gold accents and luxe navy and brown leather seating.
Green bankers lamps complement the theme, as does the bar's most captivating feature: live ticker boards which change in real-time, showing the rise and fall of their featured drink prices.
Using a software program called The Drink Exchange, CKTL & Co. uses data collected from their sales for the night, adjusting the prices of select items which then flash across the digital boards in red (indicating a drop in price) or green (an increase in price).
While the concept sounds like it could be the recipe for one expensive night, the drink prices will never go above the listed menu price, nor fall below the minimum allowed by the AGCO.
The Black Market Manhattan ($20) arrives in a smoking treasure trove, its bitter flavour enhanced with coffee liqueur, dark chocolate bitters, and dried blood orange.
For a refreshingly tart classic, go for the Paloma ($19), which blends Mezcal, grapefruit, and one of their signature giant ice cubes.
A real crowd-pleaser both in looks and taste was The '34 ($16), which combines gin, Cointreau, Angostura bitters, lemon, and raspberry syrup all topped with a bubble of Earl Grey–infused air.
As anticipated, this cocktail's popularity hovered around its menu price throughout the night as it was consistently being ordered across the board.
Mocktail drinkers are also in for a treat, with five creative options on their spirit-free cocktail menu. The Mango Mule ($9) comes in a tall glass made with mango and lime juice, agave, Fever Tree ginger beer, and of course, the essential muddled mint.
CKTL & Co.'s food menu prices stay consistent, unlike the drinks. Bar snacks include small bites to nibble on, like warm dates stuffed with marscapone cheese ($9) or the sweet and spicy spiced almonds ($9).
Appetizers range from steak and shrimp tacos ($18) to fresh rice paper rolls ($14), or if you're hungry for something heartier, they also serve poke bowls ($22), a selection of burgers ($21 - $23), or entrees like grilled lamb chops ($35) or mushroom risotto ($26).
CKTL & Co. is located at 330 Bay Street and is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. On weekends, they are only open for dinner, starting at 4:30 p.m.
Fareen Karim
