5 Best Bars in Old Town, Toronto

This laid-back dive bar has an excellent selection of draft beers and classic pub fare, from poutine to nachos and chicken wings. It’s a fun spot to watch sports.

Pouring over 150 beers from 30 countries, including 50 on tap, this expansive restaurant and bar is well-regarded on the international beer scene. The highlight of the Bier Markt is its spacious, year-round sidewalk patio on the Esplanade, ideal for enjoying a cold brew on a leisurely afternoon.  The lines are ridiculous on weekends—do as the locals do and go midweek instead.

Founded in 1988, this cozy underground spot combines the charm of a beer cellar, the comfort of a library, and the fun of a pool hall. With over 40 taps of Canadian beer and a menu of globally inspired pub fare, it’s a perfect place to relax. The main room features several pool tables and a cozy fireplace area with couches, while an adjoining room hosts live folk, rock, and roots performances several times a week.

For more than 10 years, this bar and gastropub has been a nightlife staple in downtown Toronto. The front dining room serves Prohibition-style fare and generous portions, while the back transforms into a vibrant nightclub Thursday through Saturday, featuring an array of music genres like pop, dance, hip-hop, and soca. With more than 500 types of whiskey, it’s one of the city’s largest whiskey lounges—private tastings can be booked in advance. The venue caters to a 25-plus crowd, and a business casual dress code is recommended.

Just steps from the historic St. Lawrence Market, the restaurant and bar has been a neighborhood fixture for more than 30 years. The restaurant serves French-Moroccan fare, including tapas, eggplant Zaalouk, and tagines in traditional earthenware dishes. Inside, guests enter a Casablanca-inspired space, furnished with plush divans, rich fabrics, and lanterns. Sip a specialty cocktail like the Arabian caesar or Moroccan old-fashioned. It's also also known for its nightly belly dancing performances.