The Only

What began over 35 years ago as a bohemian sandwich counter has morphed into one of the city’s finest beer emporiums. Behind a graffiti-muralled Danforth storefront, a snug 50-seat backyard patio courts hops aficionados from both sides of the DVP. They come for the colossal list of more than 200 bottles and cans (recent highlights include sour ales from Belgium’s Cantillon and 3 Fonteinen breweries), 25 rotating beers on draft, including special nitro taps, at least one cask-conditioned ale and Ontario ciders. And when the inevitable hunger kicks in, take advantage of how close the bar is to the very excellent Big House Pizza, and go grab the Big Mac–inspired Sir John A McDonald pie to bring back to your stool.

972 Danforth Ave., 416-463-7843, theonlycafe.com