1. Ronnie’s Local 069
69 Nassau, at Augusta, 416-340-1110. Yes, other Kensington Market patios have attracted an equally eclectic mix of musicians, artists and local layabouts (anyone else vaguely remember the Tropical Paradise or the Lisbon Plate?), but only this unabashedly divey bar stays true to the nabe’s boho roots. Of course, it helps that Delirium Tremens is on tap. As it should be. Feeling peckish? Management doesn’t mind if you grab something to go nearby – tostadas from Agave y Aguacate, tacos from Rebozos, empanadas from Jumbo – to help you soak up the suds and sun. Little wonder they say you can’t swing a left-handed 62 Fender Jazzmaster without hitting some trending indie celeb. Wristband policy in effect.
2. Against the Grain
25 Dockside, at Queens Quay E, 647-344-1562, atgurbantavern.ca. Patios by the lake are as rare as rice crackers in Rob Ford’s fridge. Problem is, everyone and his smarter brother heads there on the same sunny day as you. This corporate resto-lounge next to Sugar Beach right on the harbour is bigger than most – 150 seats – but you’ll still need a reservation to snag a table any time other than 3 pm on a cloudy Tuesday. And even then you’ll likely wait. But, then, it’s so nice to be at the seaside.
3. Fifth Grill
225 Richmond W, at Duncan, 416-979-3005, thefifthgrill.com. Now that the mega-clubs that used to surround this urban oasis on the roof of a downtown warehouse have either morphed into condos or moved west, the Fifth is again an island of calm. You still ride a rickety freight elevator to the terrace, where the champagne flows, the breeze wafts from the lake and the CN Tower romantically blinks in the distance. Pricey, yes. But way cheaper than a day trip to the south of France. Closed Sunday to Wednesday.
4. Black Bull
298 Queen W, at Soho, 416-593-2766. You can’t keep a good pub down. When fire ripped through this venerable 160-year-old watering hole last April, its 200-seat patio was open for business the very next day. Now that the weekend biker-friendly bar has been returned to its previous beer-stained glory, the sidewalk scene is in full swing, never more so than when the temperature soars into double digits and the sun pokes out from behind the clouds. Warning: perpetual lineups.
5. Rectory
102 Lakeshore, Ward’s Island, 416-203-2152, rectorycafe.com. Located in an old stone rectory on the south boardwalk close to the ferry docks, this all-weather café comes into bloom once the summer hits. On a pretty garden terrace surrounded by whispering pines, while away the afternoon over $14 bison burgers and a glass of local plonk from an all-VQA cellar. Makes the perfect pit stop on a bike trip!
