Bar Volo re-opening in historic mansion on Church St.

Toronto beer lovers are probably bracing for the long-standing Bar Volo to close in order to make way for a 44-storey condo. And while the watering hole at 587 Yonge St., will serve its last pint on October 1, it won't be leaving the neighbourhood for good.

That's because it's slated to reopen at 582 Church St., inside the historic house at the corner of Dundonald (it'll be in the unit right next to the old House Maison space).

Co-owner Tomas Morana tells me that he and his family, which is also behind Cask Days, planned to stay in the neighbourhood even though they're getting ready to introduce a new bar in Little Italy. "Our intention was always to have two places open," he says.

This incoming spot, called Birreria Volo, is moving into 612 College St. Unlike the original Bar Volo, it'll focus exclusively on barrel-aged, saison and sour beer as well as on cider and natural wines.

"Opening up a craft beer bar is pretty simple," says Morana, "but I think we want to do something that's a bit more specifically stylized." He describes Birreria as a hole-in-the-wall tasting room, or the type of place you'd find off the beaten path in a place like Italy, Spain or Portugal.

Accordingly, it'll serve up Italian-style bar snacks and fried chicken sandwiches from PG Clucks, which is opening up next door.

Along with pints, Birreria will dole out 12, 6 and 3-ounce pours. It'll also feature a by-the-glass bottle program, which will include a number of beers that've never shipped to Canada before. Morana won't confirm an opening date, but he says Birreria will likely make its debut within the next few weeks.

As for the new Bar Volo, it'll be ready in the new year. In the mean time, you can visit the 28-year-old outpost on Yonge Street until October 1. And while it'll probably host a farewell event some time next month, you won't have to say goodbye, only see you later.

Photo by Kathy Coleman