Patio Guide 2014: 10 spots the locals don’t want you to discover
Patio Guide 2014: 10 spots the locals don’t want you to discover
“Big” and “new” don’t always mean “better,” especially when it comes to patios. That’s why this year’s guide is devoted to a less ostentatious breed of outdoor drinking venue—places every local knows and loves, but that don’t have the kind of flashy features (a retractable roof, say, or a giant hexagonal pool) that would necessarily catapult them onto a top-10 list. So, in no particular order, here they are: 10 patios you should probably know about—but that the locals would prefer to keep to themselves.
See all 10 patios »
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- <a href="http://aftbar.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Aft</strong></a><br /><br /> <br /> The Queen East barbecue restaurant's back deck has a bar and a flat-screen TV, making it a rowdy World Cup–watching venue<br /><br /> <br /> <strong>Insider Tip: </strong>On Monday nights, Aft has one of the best dinner deals in town: a pair of steak-frites dinners and a bottle of wine for $55<br /><br /> <br /> <em>686 Queen St. E., 647-346-1541</em>
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Patio Guide 2014
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- <a href="http://www.coffeemillrestaurant.com/" target="_blank"><strong>The Coffee Mill</strong></a><br /><br /> <br /> This tucked-away restaurant has been supplying Yorkville with schnitzel and paprikash for over 50 years (the plastic patio furniture has possibly been around just as long). It's mercilessly untrendy—and that's just how the regulars like it<br /><br /> <br /> <strong>Insider Tip: </strong>The service can sometimes be a little brusque. Just go with it<br /><br /> <br /> <em>99 Yorkville Ave., <a title="Call via Hangouts" data-number="+14169202108" data-rtid="rhscol1" data-ved="0CLIBEJAIKAEwDQ">416-920-2108</a></em>
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Patio Guide 2014
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- <a href="http://johnandsonsoysterhouse.com/#about-1" target="_blank"><strong>John and Sons</strong></a><br /><br /> <br /> The seafood spot's curbside patio sits right on Yonge Street, but it's totally shrouded by tall shrubs, making for a surprisingly idyllic midtown retreat<br /><br /> <br /> <strong>Insider Tip: </strong>The oyster po'boy is big enough to share (but you probably won't want to)<br /><br /> <br /> <em>1 Balmoral Ave., <a class="fl r-rhscol1" title="Call via Hangouts" data-number="+14165150551" data-rtid="rhscol1" data-ved="0CLYBEJAIKAEwDQ">416-515-0551</a></em>
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Patio Guide 2014
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- <a href="http://fika.ca/" target="_blank"><strong>Fika</strong></a><br /><br /> <br /> The pretty Kensington café is owned by Splendido's Victor Barry (with his wife Nikki Leigh McKean), but it's the antithesis to stuffy fine-dining. The grassy back patio feels like a slightly unkempt yard—complete with a rope hammock<br /><br /> <br /> <strong>Insider Tip: </strong>Order one of Barry's fluffy raisin scones. They’re best consumed lazily with a cup of coffee and the Sunday paper<br /><br /> <br /> <em>28 Kensington Ave., <a href="http://fika.ca/" target="_blank">fika.ca</a></em>
- (Image: Renée Suen)
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- <a href="http://foodandliquor.ca/" target="_blank"><strong>Food and Liquor</strong></a><br /><br /> <br /> This Parkdale retreat has a partial tin roof, a natural stone waterfall and bits of greenery creeping over the walls<br /><br /> <br /> <strong>Insider Tip: </strong>On Sundays, the bar hosts barbecue pop-up parties with food from neighbourhood chefs (recent moonlighters have included The Rude Boy's Liam Kelly and Porzia's Basilio Pesce)<br /><br /> <br /> <em>1610 Queen St. W., <a title="Call via Hangouts" data-number="+16477487113" data-rtid="rhscol1" data-ved="0CKIBEJAIKAEwDQ">647-748-7113</a></em>
- (Image: Renée Suen)
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- <a href="http://www.lacubana.ca/" target="_blank"><strong>La Cubana</strong></a><br /><br /> <br /> The Cuban diner has brought two good things to the Roncey strip: sloppy short-rib medianoches and a cute fenced-in patio that's great for brunch, but even better for cocktails on a hot summer night<br /><br /> <br /> <strong>Insider Tip: </strong>The Bolero, a citrusy rum cocktail, manages to be warm, spicy and supremely refreshing. (It might be the extra shot of Courvoisier)<br /><br /> <br /> <em>392 Roncesvalles Ave., <a title="Call via Hangouts" data-number="+14165387500" data-rtid="rhscol1" data-ved="0CKUBEJAIKAEwDQ">416-538-7500</a></em>
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Patio Guide 2014
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- <a href="http://rebelhouse.ca/" target="_blank"><strong>The Rebel House</strong></a><br /><br /> <br /> Rosedale's best pub is named after the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion, which took place along a nearby stretch of Yonge Street. On the roomy back patio, a giant nylon parachute provides a makeshift roof<br /><br /> <br /> <strong>Insider Tip: </strong>Don’t be the jerk who goes to a pub and asks for dry white. Suck it up and order a pint (there are 18 to choose from)<br /><br /> <br /> <em>1068 Yonge St., <a title="Call via Hangouts" data-number="+14169270704" data-rtid="rhscol1" data-ved="0CKABEJAIKAEwEA">416-927-0704</a></em>
- (Image: Renée Suen)
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- <a href="http://www.reposadobar.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Reposado</strong></a><br /><br /> <br /> Premium tequila tastes better when consumed outdoors, preferably under Reposado's pretty, lantern-strung trellis<br /><br /> <br /> <strong>Insider Tip: </strong>The patio is a tranquil retreat on weekdays, but prepare to be jostled after 10 on weekends<br /><br /> <br /> <em>136 Ossington Ave., <a title="Call via Hangouts" data-number="+14165326474" data-rtid="rhscol1" data-ved="0CKkBEJAIKAEwDQ">416-532-6474</a></em><br />
- (Image: Renée Suen)
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- <a href="http://www.553church.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Smith</strong></a><br /><br /> <br /> This Village bar is known for its great cocktail list. It's also got a charming, bi-level back patio with strung lights and comfy throw pillows<br /><br /> <br /> <strong>Insider Tip: </strong>Order the Minimalist—a cross between a margarita and a mojito. Extra tip: request a rocks glass instead of the usual birdbath-sized coupe<br /><br /> <br /> <em>553 Church St., <a title="Call via Hangouts" data-number="+14169262501" data-rtid="rhscol1" data-ved="0CJYBEJAIKAEwDg">416-926-2501</a></em>
- (Image: Renée Suen)
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- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WallflowerTO" target="_blank"><strong>Wallflower</strong></a><br /><br /> <br /> True to its name, this homey bar near Dundas and Lansdowne kind of fades into the woodwork. The backyard deserves notice, though: it's decorated with fairy lights and licensed until 2 a.m.<br /><br /> <br /> <strong>Insider Tip: </strong> If there's any Toronto bar where you won't feel weird hanging out solo, this is it<br /> <br /> <br /> <em>1665 Dundas St. W., <a title="Call via Hangouts" data-number="+16473525605" data-rtid="rhscol1" data-ved="0CJgBEJAIKAEwDg">647-352-5605</a></em>
- (Image: Renée Suen)
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"Big" and "new" don't always mean "better," especially when it comes to patios. That's why this year's guide is devoted to a less ostentatious breed of outdoor drinking venue—places every local knows and loves, but that don't have the kind of flashy features (a retractable roof, say, or a giant hexagonal pool) that would necessarily catapult them onto a top-10 list. So, in no particular order, here they are: 10 patios you should probably know about—but that the locals would prefer to keep to themselves.
See all 10 patios »
[gallery columns="6" ids="280941,280942,280945,280943,280944,280946,280947,280948,280949,280950"]){kind=link}
Saddens me that the city of Toronto currently has a ban on any new patios south of Bloor, with plans for the Harmonized Bylaw to make it illegal for ANY new patios to open in Toronto – as some areas currently do have patios that can apply, and some that can go until 2am and others do not, they wish to harmonize the laws and err on the side of caution. what does this mean: As existing patios shut down no new ones will be created.
The City of Toronto doesn’t know what’s good for it. It’s such a bad bylaw and once again the few have ruined it for the many (bad behavior, loud).