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Food & Drink

Toronto’s best new patios this summer

By Rebecca Fleming| Photography by Gabby Frank
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This year’s best new patios come in all shapes and sizes, each with their own unique amenities—including raw bars, giant Jenga sets, retractable roofs and bocce ball courts. Every one of them is a prime place to sip on something cold while catching some rays (or playing it safe in the shade).

The Slip

Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., no phone, theslip.ca

Toronto's best new patios this summer

Good for: All-day sun, breeze off the lake and cocktail pitchers (or buckets of Corona). It’s Harbourfront Centre meets 90210.    

Bar Begonia

252 Dupont St., 647-352-3337, barbegonia.com

Toronto's best new patios this summer

Good for: Cider on tap, shrimp cocktail from the spot’s new backyard raw bar and a game of bocce ball or cornhole (otherwise known as beanbag toss).    

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The Walton

607 College St., 647-352-5520, thewalton607.com

Toronto's best new patios this summer

Good for: Peace and quiet and Pimm’s Cups.    

Barhop Brewco

137 Peter St., 647-348-1137, barhoptoronto.com

Toronto's best new patios this summer

Good for: Thirty-six kinds of craft beer on tap, snacks by chef Mark Cutrara (scotch olives, Ontario venison tartare, beer-braised brisket on a bun) and a bird’s-eye view of Queen West.    

Maple Leaf Tavern

955 Gerrard St. E., 416-465-0955, mapleleaftavern.ca

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Toronto's best new patios this summer

Good for: Kegged rye and gingers and chef Jesse Vallins’s crazy-good cheeseburger.    

El Rey

2A Kensington Ave., no phone, elreybar.com

Toronto's best new patios this summer
El Rey’s Kensington Market patio. Photo by Gabby Frank

Good for: Mezcal, mezcal, people-watching... and more mezcal.    

The Addisons

456 Wellington St., 416-260-9393, theaddisonsto.com

Toronto's best new patios this summer
The Addisons. Photo courtesy of Duet PR

Good for: Boozy slushies and giant lawn games (Jenga, Connect 4, Tic Tac Toe) in the Addison family’s swanky backyard.    

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Bandit Brewery

2125 Dundas St. W., 647-348-1002, banditbrewery.ca

Toronto's best new patios this summer

Good for: Beer flights in adorably branded glassware and the chicken tails (or “chicken butts,” if you will) served with a spicy white barbecue sauce.    

Clocktower Bar

1210 Yonge St., no phone, clocktowerbar.ca

Toronto's best new patios this summer

Good for: Coffee, cocktails and coffee-based cocktails, like the Straight Up (rum, Armagnac, espresso tincture, Bénédictine, Cointreau, cascara syrup, chocolate bitters).    

Macho Radio Bar

92 Fort York Blvd., 416-623-2323, machoradiobar.com

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Toronto's best new patios this summer

Good for: Potent pitchers of tequila-laced aguas frescas. And tacos, of course.    

Round the Horn

331 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-785-2123, @roundthehorn331

Toronto's best new patios this summer
Round the Horn’s leafy back patio. Photo by Gabby Frank

Good for: An all–hot dog menu (the Mac Daddy is a delicious mess of shredded lettuce, cheese, onions, pickles and secret sauce), tallboys of local beer and classic board games.    

Cactus Club

77 Adelaide St. W., 647-748-2025, cactusclubcafe.com

Toronto's best new patios this summer
Cactus Club Cafe. Photo by Gabby Frank

Good for: Networking over signature martinis (Flirtini, anyone?) to DJ sets—under a retractable roof.    

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Bar Reyna

158 Cumberland St., 647-748-4464, barreyna.com

Toronto's best new patios this summer
Bar Reyna. Photo by Caroline Aksich

Good for: Five kinds of fully loaded fries and house cocktails like Her Royal Highness, a $30 number made with vodka, rum, saffron, cardamom and rosewater that’s served in a giant, bronze, pineapple-shaped goblet.

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