We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again: Sundays hold a special place in our heart for us young professionals. Although not a typical day to consume copious amounts of alcohol (Super bowl Sunday may provide an exception for some YPs throughout the city), there are those days, whether entertaining visitors, on a date that is now in its 18th hour, or just because you feel like it, that sometimes there’s nothing better than a few drinks to close out the weekend. Sure, you know the typical places to hit up depending on your mood on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, YPs may not know where to go on a Sunday afternoon, especially in the winter when patios are not yet an option.
Luckily, you will no longer find yourself with this dilemma as we’ve scoped out the best bars in the city for Sunday Funday beverages.
Rose and Crown – 2335 Yonge St.
As a favourite local watering hole for uptown YPs, The Rose and Crown offers the ultimate Sunday Funday, with live music, an open jam session and $4 drink specials on domestic beer, Jagermeister, bar drinks and (yikes) tequila. We must say, we have enjoyed this low-key hangout since university and are never disappointed by the band.
Real Sports – 15 York St.
We have mentioned Real Sports before but it really is a perfect place for a chilled out Sunday afternoon, especially if a game is on. Their Caesars are hailed as among the best in the city by sports-loving Toronto YPs and we recently discovered just why. With its chilled out vibe, it won’t require a change from the typical Sunday plaid shirt and jeans look, either.
Pure Spirits – 55 Mill St.
Perhaps a little off the beaten path for a midweek dinner, the Distillery District provides the chance to get some exercise, shop and enjoy a warming glass of red wine on a Sunday afternoon. Pure Spirits features an upbeat, bustling vibe and boasts a wide selection of rare, vintage wines and a variety of more affordable options as well, perfect for those winter afternoons.
MoRoCo – 99 Yorkville Ave.
Yorkville’s MoRoCo provides the ultimate indulgent girls Sunday afternoon with its chocolate-inspired dessert selection, which we typically (and appropriately) pair with champagne in the lounge area. If we have been relatively “good” all weekend, the brunch fondue makes a rewarding afternoon treat and is easily shared with company. It is usually wise to make a reservation as Sundays fill up quick with moms, daughters and bridal showers alike.
Le Brunch at Nyood – 1096 Queen St. W
This monthly brunch series/DJ and Grey Goose-fueled after party is by far the most ambitious option for the Toronto YP. When the lights go down and the sparklers come out after the last brunch seating, it may be difficult not to confuse the daytime scene with that of the night before. Though bottle service (yes, it happens) probably isn’t a good idea if you want to make it into work on Monday, there’s no harm in staying for a few post-brunch cocktails. To skip the brunch part all together, the party usually begins about 3pm.
Dominion on Queen – 500 Queen St. E
We recently discovered this Queen East pub and ended up having a fabulous Sunday Funday there. The comedy and jazz bar features live music every Sunday afternoon with their Rockabilly brunch, complete with a dance floor. One of the city’s oldest establishments, it also features pool tables and ample screens playing sporting events. The rock0inspired brunch ends at 3:00pm but by 4:00pm another performance will take over after as guests stay well into the evening.
High Tea at the Windsor Arms – 18 St. Thomas St.
High tea at the Windsor Arms provides a luxurious and sometimes welcomed alternative to the midday cocktail for the more refined YP who likes to trade in their Sunday sweats for their Sunday best now and then. A welcomed, cozy option for a mid-winter Sunday afternoon, the high tea includes mini sandwiches and sweet treats, so leave room at brunch.
The Foggy Dew – 803 King St. W
We admit, we had never been inclined to check out this King West bar until a fellow YP suggested we check out their weekend Caesar bar. We know how picky fellow young professionals can be about their Caesars; now instead of complaining to the waitress, we can bloody well do it ourselves. The Caesar bar is one of the best drink values we’ve seen in a long time, at $3/drink. The Caesar bar functions from 11am to 3pm on weekends. Options include hot peppers, sweet peppers, pickled onions, horseradish and Tabasco, among others!
Photo courtesy Pure Spirits
