BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA
Hit up local watering hole Insomnia (563 Bloor West, 416-588-3907, insomniarestaurant.com) for its relaxed vibe, drink specials and hyper-convenient location. And the kitchen’s open late.
Consider heading to local favourite the Harbord Room (89 Harbord, 416-962-8989, theharbordroom.com) for a round of delicious, classically inspired signature cocktails at the bar or on the garden patio. Might as well stay for dinner, too.
An Annex stalwart, the relaxed Victory Café (581 Markham, 416-516-5787, victorycafe.ca) is a destination for craft beer and cask ale.
Trendy Bar Raval (505 College, thisisbarraval.com) offers pintxos and Spanish sips like vermouth, sherry and cava in a snug, remarkable space. Standing room mostly.
R. Jeanette Martin
Beerbistro
WINTER GARDEN THEATRE
After a long, stimulating day of sitting in the dark, treat yourself to a few frosty pints at Beerbistro (18 King East, 416-861-9872, beerbistro.com), which boasts one of the best European-focused beer lists in town.
Comfortable, elevated and always welcoming, the Gabardine (372 Bay, 647-352-3211, thegabardine.com) is fantastic for drinks, lunch and dinner.
Brush elbows with suits and pretty people while sipping fancy things at the Chase (10 Temperance, 647-348-7000, thechasetoronto.com), a beautifully manicured, airy rooftop room with an unreal patio overlooking the financial district.
Micheal Watier
Rooftop bar at the Park Hyatt
ISABEL BADER THEATRE
Don’t forget the cozy and classy Museum Tavern (208 Bloor West, 416-920-0110, museumtavern.ca) right across from the ROM to spark cinematic discourse over a round of strong drinks like house barrel-aged old-fashioneds and Sazeracs ($15).
Wine (and dine, if you please) at Opus (37 Prince Arthur, 416-921-3105, opusrestaurant.com), which has one of the most impressive stocks of vino in the city. Got a fat wad to blow? How about a 1985 San Guido Sassicaia for $4,500? A 1959 Château Lafite Rothschild for $7,000, perhaps? There are plenty of reasonably priced bottles for non-millionaires, too.
Saunter into d-bar (60 Yorkville, 416-963-6010, dbartoronto.com) in the Four Seasons
Stephania Yarhi
Bar Hop
TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX (PLUS ROY THOMSON HALL, PRINCESS OF WALES AND GLENN GOULD STUDIO)
Members can soak up the peasant-free scene at Toronto’s central Soho House (192 Adelaide West, 416-599-7646, sohohousetoronto.com) over TIFF-inspired cocktails. Or crush a few craft pints between screenings at Bar Hop (391 King West, 647-352-7476, barhopbar.com), one of T.O.’s most popular destinations for quality brew, much of it local.
When a day at the movies has you feeling emotionally touched and a wee bit nostalgic, make a beeline for charmingly old-world Le Sélect (432 Wellington West, 416-596-6405, leselect.com) to remedy that with wine, oysters and classic steak tartare. The well-stocked wine cellar won’t let you down.
You could also spend a slick evening at the Ritz Bar (181 Wellington West, 416-585-2500, ritzcarlton.com), especially from 6 to 8 pm during the week, when select dishes and cocktails are just $10.
When TIFF starts to take its toll, ease your burning eyes and recharge your dwindling soul with a few stiff drinks. Rowdy Wide Open (139A Spadina, 416-727-5411, wideopenbar.ca), a veritable hole in the wall that slings cheap booze every day, could become a popular haven for festival-goers with a deep-seated love for dives.
David Laurence
Peoples Eatery
JACKMAN HALL, AGO
An unassuming pub that pours a killer variety of Belgian and European beers, Sin & Redemption (136 McCaul, at Dundas West, 416-640-9197, sinandredemption.com) is great for groups or a solo afternoon pint.
Grab a day drink and a quick bite at Peoples Eatery (307 Spadina, 416-792-1784, peopleseatery.com) before zipping off to movie number two, three or four. Return to sate late-night cravings – the bar and kitchen are open until 2 am.
Micheal Watier
Queen and Beaver
RYERSON THEATRE
A few blocks north is Smith (553 Church, 416-926-2501, smithrestaurant.com), a stylish three-storey spot for cocktails and film-related chitchat.
Tucked away on Elm, the charming, Brit-inspired Queen and Beaver (35 Elm, 647-347-2712, queenandbeaverpub.ca) is just the place for a cocktail and a few glasses of wine (make that a bottle) after a hard day’s viewing.
It doesn’t get more retro-shabby – hold the chic – than the Imperial Pub‘s Library Bar (54 Dundas East, 416-977-4667, imperialpub.com), a divey departure from TIFF’s glitter and flashing lights. Step up to the bar to order a pint before burying your nose in your TIFF guide or heading to the back patio for some sun.
Micheal Watier
Thoroughbred
SCOTIABANK THEATRE
A hop, skip and a stumble from this downtown theatre, Thoroughbred (304 Richmond West, 416-551-9221, tbto.ca) is a prime spot to down a few refreshing cocktails and Canadian-inspired small plates between showings.
One of Queen West’s best-kept secrets, the tidy roof bar at the Beverley Hotel (335 Queen West, 416-493-2786, thebeverleyhotel.ca) is a relaxing way to finish a day of screenings, wine in hand.
Quench your thirst classily at Nota Bene (180 Queen West, 416-977-6400, notabenerestaurant.com), which has a ceviche bar and cocktails tailored to TIFF.
