This Week’s Issue
Does the LCBO deliver? Can I get same-day alcohol delivery in Toronto? What alcohol delivery apps should I use? And other booze delivery questions, answered
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From beer to sake to spirits, Toronto's alcohol delivery options have never been better.
Alcohol delivery in Toronto has become an increasingly viable option during the coronavirus pandemic – just one of the many ways COVID-19 has changed our day-to-day lives here in the city.
The AGCO’s recent allowance of alcohol delivery through bars, restaurants, and delivery apps with any food order has helped Toronto’s residents get their much-needed drink on while staying at home.
But while alcohol delivery has definitely opened up the city’s drinking landscape, the urgency of the legislation made the process a little rushed – so it can be a bit difficult to figuring out exactly which drinks can be sent to your door and when.
To help you navigate the new landscape, we’ve put together a handy guide to alcohol delivery in Toronto – plus a list of 68 options you can check out at home.
The LCBO does offer alcohol delivery – and on paper it can be a better option than risking your health by going to a physical store. But the service isn’t without its problems.
Firstly, Canada Post suspended all deliveries requiring proof of age back in March – so instead, they’ll be dropped off at your nearest post office.
Secondly, the LCBO itself cannot confirm delivery dates. (I’ve heard from folks who have gotten their orders within a few days and others who had to wait a couple of weeks).
And aside from a few online exclusives, you’re mainly dealing with the LCBO’s everyday stock list, which means missing out on some more unique offerings you just can’t get at the store.
The Beer Store’s Beer XPress platform is good for basics, with flat delivery rates (starting at around $10) within Toronto and a to-your-door delivery time as low as two hours.
However, if you’re willing to go off the beaten path, taking advantage of the unique products available outside of those stores – often at a discount – is what’s making Toronto alcohol delivery particularly interesting right now.
Yes! There are actually lots of the dang things popping up, but even some of the most popular apps have their limitations:
This is where things get a little tricky. Now that they’ve rolled out support for alcohol delivery, DoorDash and UberEats are usually a pretty safe bet to see what booze a restaurant has – but sometimes, the bar might have to-go alcohol offerings not available on the app.
To get a current idea of what’s available, checking the web sites and social media feeds of your bar or restaurant of choice is the best way. (Yeah, it’s a little annoying – but these are weird times, and not everyone was exactly able to put up an online ordering system right away.)
Pro tip: You’ll find menus located on the platform where the business has the biggest following. Project Gigglewater posts updates on Instagram, for instance, while Cabbagetown’s House on Parliament puts their ever-changing menus up on Facebook. Hell, there’s probably even a bar advertising on TikTok.
To learn more about bars offering alcohol delivery in Toronto, check out our list of unique wines and cocktail kits available to go.
Ordering right from producers themselves is another option. While apps like Boozer can be really helpful in terms of hunting down unusual offerings, getting the skinny on some unlisted options will require research.
Fortunately for people who hate putting in work, there are a few resources out there.
The Ontario craft beer community in particular has really come together to promote local breweries offering Toronto and Ontario-wide beer delivery. The most definitive at the moment is the Ontario Beer Delivery Index, which allows you to search for breweries who ship right to your area. Alternatively if you’re at a loss for what to order, the Beer Finder site allows for you to search through thousands of beers by style, brewery, and region.
As for distilleries and wineries, some importers like the Grape Witches or Nicholas Pearse Wines have online shops selling wine by the case. The latter has even paired with Mercatto to create a curated online wholesale shop that even includes a pack of spirits from Prince Edward County.
That depends on where your delivery is coming from. Food delivery apps like UberEats and DoorDash could take under an hour Boozer, Runner and BeerXPress can be as low as two hours.
Breweries and producers with their own delivery channels may offer local delivery the same day, next-day or within a few days, while some are still shipping by Canada Post or another service, which could take several days.
When ordering alcohol delivery, keep an eye out for shipping times, minimum order requirements, and how you may qualify for free shipping. (For instance, Supernova Ballroom’s Dolly Trolly requires a minimum order of $40, and only delivers Monday, Thursday & Saturday between 6 pm and 10 pm.)
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Crate with full beer bottles
Try Junction Craft Brewing’s beers at home thanks to their beer delivery program.
Try Junction Craft Brewing’s beers at home thanks to their beer delivery program.
Natalia Manzocco
Paradise Grapevine delivers wine (and beer).
Robin LeBlanc
Supernova Ballroom’s delivery cocktails are some of the best in Toronto.
Prince Edward County distillery Kinsip delivers its spirits to Toronto.
Natalia Manzocco
Sakai Bar has started selling its bottled sake direct-to-consumer.
– Compiled by Natalia Manzocco and Robin LeBlanc
@TheThirstyWench
