1. ORIGIN
107 King East, at Church, 416-603-8009, origintoronto.com
Opened last June, celebu-chef Claudio Aprile’s casual spinoff from Colborne Lane is just as famous for its tapas-style grazing card as for its record noise levels. Now that the action spills out onto a spectacular terrace oppo-site St. James Cathedral, the scene is slightly – slightly! – less riotous.
Commandeer a chaise and soak up the sun along with classic hangover cures like Death In The Afternoon (absinthe and Prosecco, $15). Or sip retro mixed drinks like the Moscow Mule (Ketel One vodka, ginger beer, lime, cucumber and mint) or Planter’s Punch (dark ‘n’ spicy Captain Morgan rum, grenadine, bitters and orange, lime and pineapple juices).
The last two are served chilled in old recycled glass milk bottles big enough for a group to share ($25 to $35 for 16 ounces, depending on the mix).
2. ROOF LOUNGE
4 Avenue Rd, at Bloor West, 416-924-5471, parktoronto.hyatt.com
A fraction the size it was back in its 70s heyday when it was the roof of the Park Plaza, the small 18th-floor aerie on top of the Park Hyatt Hotel is the perfect patio for reliving the past. Fans of TV’s Mad Men knock back straight-up rye whiskey Manhattans ($16) while more cosmopolitan types down caipirinhas (Brazilian cachaça, lime juice, lemonade and sugar cane, $14) over plates of butter chicken poutine ($7).
3. REPOSADO
136 Ossington, at Argyle, 416-532-6474, reposadobar.com
This west-side cantina is dedicated to all things tequila, and we’re not talking reality TV star Tila. Besides more than 40 different brands of Mexican firewater, there’s an extensive roster of killer tequila cocktails ranging from basic gluten-free Acapulco margaritas ($10.50) to complex Big Spenders (tequila, Grand Marnier, cava and freshly squeezed blood orange juice, $15, tax included). Regular taste testings and a just-introduced tiki bar, too. Tila would approve!
4. BOUTIQUE BAR
506 Church, at Maitland, 647-705-0006, boutiquebar.ca
The latest al fresco addition to the Church Street strip not only features daily happy hour drink specials from 5 to 7 pm but “happy ending” discounts from midnight till 2 am closing time as well. Sundays and Tuesdays, martinis like the Coffee Bean (vodka, Kahlua, Bailey’s and espresso) and the Life’s A Beach (gin, lemon juice, aloe vera) go for 6 bucks.
5. ULTRA
314 Queen West, at Peter, 416-263-0330, ultratoronto.com
The yin to next-door Black Bull’s yang, the long-gone Bamboo (Toronto’s best patio ever?) has been transformed into a massive 250-seat rooftop deck complete with white-on-white sofas, wicker accents and billowing tents. Join the after-work crowd for Ultra Cosmos (Smirnoff vodka, triple sec, lime and cranberry juice, $12) and Red Bull martinis ($12). Warning: dress code. Opens June 5.
