Best Bars: A brief history of hooch in Toronto, from 1837 to the present day
Best Bars: A brief history of hooch in Toronto, from 1837 to the present day
1837
Gooderham and Worts opens. Within 40 years, it becomes the largest distillery in the world.
Gooderham and Worts opens. Within 40 years, it becomes the largest distillery in the world.
1876
George Davis builds a stage coach stop that will become the frat boy–filled Brunswick House 80 years hence.
George Davis builds a stage coach stop that will become the frat boy–filled Brunswick House 80 years hence.
1880 to 1893
Half of Torontonians thrown in jail are there for drunk and disorderly behaviour.
Half of Torontonians thrown in jail are there for drunk and disorderly behaviour.
1916
Half of Torontonians thrown in jail are there for drunk and disorderly behaviour.
Half of Torontonians thrown in jail are there for drunk and disorderly behaviour.
1920
Much of Toronto’s liquor is smuggled illegally into the U.S. by gangsters like husband-and-wife team Rocco and Bessi Perri.
Much of Toronto’s liquor is smuggled illegally into the U.S. by gangsters like husband-and-wife team Rocco and Bessi Perri.
1927
The creation of the LCBO and the Brewer’s Warehousing Company (later known as The Beer Store) heralds the end of Prohibition, but booze is only available by permit and only dispensed over the counter.
The creation of the LCBO and the Brewer’s Warehousing Company (later known as The Beer Store) heralds the end of Prohibition, but booze is only available by permit and only dispensed over the counter.
1934
Hotels are allowed to sell beer and wine with meals. Business travel becomes bearable.
Hotels are allowed to sell beer and wine with meals. Business travel becomes bearable.
1947
A new law allows spirits to be sold by the glass. Flask sales plummet.
A new law allows spirits to be sold by the glass. Flask sales plummet.
1947
The Roof Lounge opens on the 18th floor of what is now the Park Hyatt, bringing back pre-Prohibition cocktails like the old-fashioned.
The Roof Lounge opens on the 18th floor of what is now the Park Hyatt, bringing back pre-Prohibition cocktails like the old-fashioned.
1961
Liquor can be purchased without a permit.
Liquor can be purchased without a permit.
1969
The LCBO goes self-service, allowing Torontonians to browse the booze aisles for the first time.
The LCBO goes self-service, allowing Torontonians to browse the booze aisles for the first time.
1970
Pubs open their men-only drinking rooms to women; cheesy pickup lines flourish.
Pubs open their men-only drinking rooms to women; cheesy pickup lines flourish.
1971
Legal drinking age reduced from 21 to 18.
Legal drinking age reduced from 21 to 18.
1981
Drinking on patios is legalized, leading to The Black Bull’s infamous lineups.
Drinking on patios is legalized, leading to The Black Bull’s infamous lineups.
1983
BamBoo opens on Queen West, making umbrella drinks and jazz-funk dance parties popular.
BamBoo opens on Queen West, making umbrella drinks and jazz-funk dance parties popular.
1984
Happy hours are banned (turns out too many people got happy and got behind the wheel).
Happy hours are banned (turns out too many people got happy and got behind the wheel).
1987
Charles Khabouth opens Stilife on Richmond, sparking development of the Entertainment District.
Charles Khabouth opens Stilife on Richmond, sparking development of the Entertainment District.
1989
Woody’s opens, becoming the hub of the Church-and- Wellesley village. Gay men rejoice.
Woody’s opens, becoming the hub of the Church-and- Wellesley village. Gay men rejoice.
1992
Alcohol allowed at Leafs and Blue Jays games. Price-gouging pints become the norm.
Alcohol allowed at Leafs and Blue Jays games. Price-gouging pints become the norm.
1992
College Street takes off with neighbourhood hangs like College Street Bar, The Midtown and Ted’s Wrecking Yard.
College Street takes off with neighbourhood hangs like College Street Bar, The Midtown and Ted’s Wrecking Yard.
1996
Last call extended until 2 a.m.
Last call extended until 2 a.m.
1998
Sex and the City ushers in an era of sickly-sweet concoctions: bellinis, crantinis, and, of course, the cosmo.
Sex and the City ushers in an era of sickly-sweet concoctions: bellinis, crantinis, and, of course, the cosmo.
2002
Amber opens in Yorkville, spawns a slew of resto-lounge copycats.
Amber opens in Yorkville, spawns a slew of resto-lounge copycats.
2002
Amber opens in Yorkville, spawns a slew of resto-lounge copycats.
Amber opens in Yorkville, spawns a slew of resto-lounge copycats.
2004
Sweaty Betty’s opens on Ossington, spurring the strip’s gentrification and the popularization of Pabst Blue Ribbon as the ironic beer of choice.
Sweaty Betty’s opens on Ossington, spurring the strip’s gentrification and the popularization of Pabst Blue Ribbon as the ironic beer of choice.
2005
College Street, its cool phase long over, is overrun with lycheetini lounges.
College Street, its cool phase long over, is overrun with lycheetini lounges.
2005
BYOW begins, as does the eternal debate over how much is too much for a corkage fee.
BYOW begins, as does the eternal debate over how much is too much for a corkage fee.
2006
Cask-conditioned ale takes over C’est What, Granite Brewery and Bar Volo.
Cask-conditioned ale takes over C’est What, Granite Brewery and Bar Volo.
2007
New York club king Peter Gatien opens mega-club Circa; vodka and Red Bull fuel all-night dancing.
New York club king Peter Gatien opens mega-club Circa; vodka and Red Bull fuel all-night dancing.
2008
Enomatic dispensers at restaurants like Reds allow for wines by the glass without turning the bottle into vinegar.
Enomatic dispensers at restaurants like Reds allow for wines by the glass without turning the bottle into vinegar.
2008
Barchef opens; booze scientist Frankie Solarik crafts $40 molecular cocktails. Jay-Z is a fan.
Barchef opens; booze scientist Frankie Solarik crafts $40 molecular cocktails. Jay-Z is a fan.
2008
Bacon-washed, pickle-topped, salt-filled cocktails populate menus.
Bacon-washed, pickle-topped, salt-filled cocktails populate menus.
2009
Jen Agg and Grant van Gameren open the Black Hoof, foisting barrel aging and artisanal bitters into the mainstream.
Jen Agg and Grant van Gameren open the Black Hoof, foisting barrel aging and artisanal bitters into the mainstream.
2009
Joe Pantalone becomes the face of the new sobriety movement by starting an 18-month fight against booze on Ossington.
Joe Pantalone becomes the face of the new sobriety movement by starting an 18-month fight against booze on Ossington.
2009
Toronto Temperance Society, a members-only cocktail lounge, revives the old-school speakeasy.
Toronto Temperance Society, a members-only cocktail lounge, revives the old-school speakeasy.
2009
Ceili Cottage and Queen and Beaver, the city’s first real gastropubs, put Firkins everywhere to shame.
Ceili Cottage and Queen and Beaver, the city’s first real gastropubs, put Firkins everywhere to shame.
2010
Circa goes bust.
Circa goes bust.
2010
An onslaught of new rustic Italian restaurants makes medicinal-tasting aperitifs like Aperol and Campari all the rage.
An onslaught of new rustic Italian restaurants makes medicinal-tasting aperitifs like Aperol and Campari all the rage.
2011
Ontario craft brewers like Flying Monkeys make beer geekery chic.
Ontario craft brewers like Flying Monkeys make beer geekery chic.
2011
Jen and Grant break up. Jen opens Cocktail Bar, the apotheosis of the city’s new artisanal cocktail culture.
Jen and Grant break up. Jen opens Cocktail Bar, the apotheosis of the city’s new artisanal cocktail culture.
By Denise Balkissoon, Ariel Brewster, Andrew D’Cruz, Matthew Hague, Malcolm Johnston, Emily Landau, Jason McBride, Alexandra Molotkow, Mark Pupo, Peter Saltsman, Courtney Shea and Eric Vellend. Timeline Photographs: Istock; Getstock; David Laurence; A. H. Hider/Wikimedia Commons; Rob Nguyen/Flickr and courtesy of Barchef; Park Hyatt Toronto; and Woody’s
 heralds the end of Prohibition, but booze is only available by permit and only dispensed over the counter.
1934
Hotels are allowed to sell beer and wine with meals. Business travel becomes bearable.
1947
A new law allows spirits to be sold by the glass. Flask sales plummet.
1947
The Roof Lounge opens on the 18th floor of what is now the Park Hyatt, bringing back pre-Prohibition cocktails like the old-fashioned.
1961
Liquor can be purchased without a permit.
1969
The LCBO goes self-service, allowing Torontonians to browse the booze aisles for the first time.
1970
Pubs open their men-only drinking rooms to women; cheesy pickup lines flourish.
1971
Legal drinking age reduced from 21 to 18.
1981
Drinking on patios is legalized, leading to The Black Bull’s infamous lineups.
1983
BamBoo opens on Queen West, making umbrella drinks and jazz-funk dance parties popular.
1984
Happy hours are banned (turns out too many people got happy and got behind the wheel).
1987
Charles Khabouth opens Stilife on Richmond, sparking development of the Entertainment District.
1989
Woody’s opens, becoming the hub of the Church-and- Wellesley village. Gay men rejoice.
1992
Alcohol allowed at Leafs and Blue Jays games. Price-gouging pints become the norm.
1992
College Street takes off with neighbourhood hangs like College Street Bar, The Midtown and Ted’s Wrecking Yard.
1996
Last call extended until 2 a.m.
1998
Sex and the City ushers in an era of sickly-sweet concoctions: bellinis, crantinis, and, of course, the cosmo.
2002
Amber opens in Yorkville, spawns a slew of resto-lounge copycats.
2002
Amber opens in Yorkville, spawns a slew of resto-lounge copycats.
2004
Sweaty Betty’s opens on Ossington, spurring the strip’s gentrification and the popularization of Pabst Blue Ribbon as the ironic beer of choice.
2005
College Street, its cool phase long over, is overrun with lycheetini lounges.
2005
BYOW begins, as does the eternal debate over how much is too much for a corkage fee.
2006
Cask-conditioned ale takes over C’est What, Granite Brewery and Bar Volo.
2007
New York club king Peter Gatien opens mega-club Circa; vodka and Red Bull fuel all-night dancing.
2008
Enomatic dispensers at restaurants like Reds allow for wines by the glass without turning the bottle into vinegar.
2008
Barchef opens; booze scientist Frankie Solarik crafts $40 molecular cocktails. Jay-Z is a fan.
2008
Bacon-washed, pickle-topped, salt-filled cocktails populate menus.
2009
Jen Agg and Grant van Gameren open the Black Hoof, foisting barrel aging and artisanal bitters into the mainstream.
2009
Joe Pantalone becomes the face of the new sobriety movement by starting an 18-month fight against booze on Ossington.
2009
Toronto Temperance Society, a members-only cocktail lounge, revives the old-school speakeasy.
2009
Ceili Cottage and Queen and Beaver, the city’s first real gastropubs, put Firkins everywhere to shame.
2010
Circa goes bust.
2010
An onslaught of new rustic Italian restaurants makes medicinal-tasting aperitifs like Aperol and Campari all the rage.
2011
Ontario craft brewers like Flying Monkeys make beer geekery chic.
2011
Jen and Grant break up. Jen opens Cocktail Bar, the apotheosis of the city’s new artisanal cocktail culture.
By Denise Balkissoon, Ariel Brewster, Andrew D'Cruz, Matthew Hague, Malcolm Johnston, Emily Landau, Jason McBride, Alexandra Molotkow, Mark Pupo, Peter Saltsman, Courtney Shea and Eric Vellend. Timeline Photographs: Istock; Getstock; David Laurence; A. H. Hider/Wikimedia Commons; Rob Nguyen/Flickr and courtesy of Barchef; Park Hyatt Toronto; and Woody’s){kind=link}