The 8 Best Places for After-Work Drinks in Toronto

What better way to reward yourself for the daily grind than with a cold beer, wine or cocktail after work?

The après work scene in Toronto is the perfect example of the “work hard, play harder” ethos, thanks to the numerous opportunities for both networking and cocktail consumption.

Luckily, there is no shortage of spots in Toronto that do post-work get-togethers right.

Here are our top eight picks…

ob-cafe-grill

O&B Café Grill, Yonge & Front
Just because their beloved patio will soon close for the season doesn’t mean O&B stops being the Financial District’s “it” spot for post-work cocktails. And with menu items like the always-worth-it Ontario Tenderloin Steak Frites or the assortment of pizzas and pastas, it’s no surprise that happy hour typically turns into dinner for most patrons.

drake-hotel

The Drake Hotel
Across town, The Drake Hotel is great pretty much any time of day. While their brunch is well-known throughout the city, the Drake’s Après Work menu features some of their most popular shareable options, like cheese and charcuterie, oysters, edamame, lobster nachos and avocado toast.

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Jump
This sleek space has been the backdrop of high-powered business deals and client meetings for years. Fortunately, their Power Hour menu features drink specials everyone can afford – even if you’re not in finance. Think $4 shots of bourbon, $5 bar rail drinks and $7 glasses of wine. Need to soak up all that alcohol with a hearty meal? We recommend their Southern Fried Chicken ($8).

belfast-love

Belfast Love
At King Street’s Belfast Love, you’ll find a younger, edgier vibe than your typical after-work spot. Things like upscale pub grub, pool tables, and ample TVs keep the mood casual for mingling with coworkers and strangers alike. If beer is more your thing, you’ll find no shortage of options on tap at Belfast Love.

luma-restaurant

Luma Restaurant
Situated in the TIFF Bell Lightbox, Luma’s central location makes it perfect for meeting all of your friends, post-work – no matter where their offices are. And much to the joy of martini and Manhattan-lovers, their Magic Hour promotion is back. Monday through Saturday from 4pm until close, all martinis and Manhattans are $5 (seriously), as is their addictive sangria. If you’re more of a beer drinker, you’ll also find $5 Grolsch lager pints.

bar-fancy

Bar Fancy
For less of a corporate vibe, the city’s young creative set can be found getting their drink on at Queen West’s Bar Fancy. Between 5-7pm daily, not only will you find cheap drinks, their signature fried chicken is on special for $2 and oysters are half-price. Other shareable, happy hour appropriate dishes include the restaurant’s famous Dirty Nachos.

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Beaumont Kitchen
Cocktails and shopping are a perfect pairing, right? Well, they can be at Beaumont Kitchen, O&B’s latest spot in Saks at Sherway Gardens. The West Coast-inspired restaurant is just as good for cocktails as it is for mouth-watering food. The restaurant features daily drink specials like $7 prosecco and $5 Peroni on Tuesdays and half-price bottles of wine on Wednesdays, just to name a few. You can also fuel up for your shopping trip with their thin crust pizza or a hearty steak.

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Pravda Vodka Bar
If you’re a vodka lover, you’ll be pleased to know that Pravda Vodka Bar supports your happy hour needs wholeheartedly. They have martinis for just $7 – almost half the price of some selections – and from 4-7pm daily, your vodka can come with a complimentary appetizer. It can get rowdier later in the evening, so Happy Hour is the perfect time to visit if you’re craving a more refined sipping experience.

Cheers!