/
1x
Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
Food & Drink

Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel, a bright new island-themed bar from the owners of Betty’s

By Karolyne Ellacott
Copy link
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)

The Pacific Junction Hotel is not, despite its name, a hotel. Instead, it’s a brightly coloured new bar in the King Street East space that formerly housed Brad Long’s Veritas, and it’s packed from floor to ceiling with whimsical pieces. Owned by the same people behind next door’s Betty’s, this free-spirited cousin is a much-needed injection of laid-back island attitude into the sometimes staid neighbourhood.

The space is decked out with fantastical finds plucked from all over the world. Up front, repurposed oil drums act as stools; in the back, a former bathtub serves as a two-seater (one whole edge has been removed). Twinkly Christmas lights butt heads with pink plastic flamingoes, while mismatched fixtures dangle above, illuminating an eclectic mix of retro tables and chairs. Out back, the patio is brightly striped in a medley of pinks and greens (it’s probably best to avoid following excessive tequila consumption).

Aiming to attract the local barflies (whether from the nearby George Brown campus or the Toronto Sun building across the street), the main focus here is, naturally, the booze. Patrons can peruse the cheeky menu—craftily pasted into vintage magazines—to choose between the various hard-to-find tequilas (Rojo Verde Reposado, say), mezcals (like Cha Cha Cha) and under-appreciated rum picks (Pyrat XO). The signature cocktail is the Coronita ($10.50). Served in two parts, the hands-on concotion involves pouring a Corona into a margarita-filled mason jar. Food options include a guilty-pleasure combination of two drunk-food favourites: poutine spring rolls (the latter wrapping the former), available with either oxtail gravy or mushrooms and caramelized onions ($9). There really isn’t another bar in Toronto with quite this tiki-lounge-meets-junk-shop vibe.

Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel
Introducing: Pacific Junction Hotel

Pacific Junction Hotel, 236 King St. E., 416-363-8447, pacificjunctionhotel.com, @pacjunkhotel

NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY

Sign up for Table Talk, our free newsletter with essential food and drink stories.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
You may unsubscribe at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The Latest

"We love a good drama queen or king": This guy is bringing a Summer House –inspired reality series to Muskoka
Culture

“We love a good drama queen or king”: This guy is bringing a Summer House–inspired reality series to Muskoka

Inside the Latest Issue

The June issue of Toronto Life features our annual ranking of the best new restaurants. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.