What to know
- The second annual Toronto Cocktail Festival runs from Oct. 18 to 25, with events taking place across the city.
- The festival’s Gala of Cocktails takes place Oct. 23 at Waterworks Event Hall, featuring more than 20 open-bar stations and over 25 drinks to sample.
- Other events include the Little Italy Cocktail Crawl on Oct. 18, the Dirty Laundry Race for Glory on Oct. 20 and the Lot 40 Mastery Experience on Oct. 21.
- The Oct. 22 lineup includes Tiles & Turntables, a Vietnamese-inspired cocktail party at Mahjong Bar, and a Día de los Muertos celebration at Suite 115.
- Ticket prices vary by event, starting at $20 for the Dirty Laundry competition and $155 for the Gala of Cocktails. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
A delicious crafted cocktail can take a night out to the next level, and for one entire week, Torontonians will enjoy the best of the art of making drinks.
After a successful debut last fall, the second annual Toronto Cocktail Festival will take over the city next week.
The festival is the destination to celebrate Toronto’s stellar food-and-drink scene and give its best award-winning bartenders and chiefs the recognition they deserve, while offering customers a taste.
The Toronto Cocktail Festival is happening between Oct. 18–25, with dozens of events taking over the city throughout the week, leading to its grand Gala of Cocktails on Oct. 23.
While there are plenty of events for every taste, Now Toronto has gathered a lineup of some of the most expected segments taking over the festival.
Toronto Cocktail Festival Gala of Cocktails
Date: Oct. 23
Location: Waterworks Event Hall (50 Brant St.)
The festival’s premier event takes place on Friday, Oct. 23. Attendees are invited to dress their best and enjoy cocktail creations for over 20 open bar stations, while mingling with the best of Toronto’s bar scene.
There will be over 25 different drinks to try from, including premium and international spirits made by top bartenders and brand ambassadors.
General admission to the event starts at 8 p.m., while VIP early access begins at 7 p.m. Tickets go from $155, and are available on Eventbrite.
Little Italy Cocktail Crawl
Date: Oct. 18
Location: Starts at Bar Raval (505 College St.)
What better way to explore Toronto’s local bar scene than going on a bar crawl? At this event, guests will make three bar stops across Little Italy, where they will enjoy custom cocktails paired with small bites that complement the drinks.
Stops include the elegant Bar Ravel, the intimate and cozy Lonely Diner, and the sophisticated speakeasy Suite 115, each bringing their unique creations to the table.
Tickets are going for $97 on Eventbrite, and the event starts at 3:30 p.m.
The Dirty Laundry Race for Glory
Date: Oct. 20
Location: 1186 Queen St. W.
At this event, attendees will have a chance to watch some of the city’s top talent in action at this raw speed precision competition.
With just four bartenders remaining for the semi-finals and finals on Oct. 20, this competition tests talent’s abilities to make delicious precise drinks under pressure, determining who has the city’s fastest hands.
The competition is on from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., and tickets go from $20, with $10 from each ticket being donated to SickKids.
The Lot 40 Mastery Experience: A Culinary & Spirits Journey
Date: Oct. 21
Location: DaNico (440 College St.)
Michelin-starred DaNice invites festival goers to the newly-launched LUNA patio for a unique, intimate spirit and dining experience that celebrates a fusion of Italian gastronomy and Canadian rye.
Diners will enjoy a multi-course meal, paired with a series of delicious craft cocktails, from its Lot 40 Standard Release with notes of rye spice and citrus to the Lot 40 Dark Oak with a rich and wood-fired taste.
The event goes from 8–10 p.m., and events go for $155 on Eventbrite.
Tiles & Turntables : Vietnamese-inspired Cocktail Party
Date: Oct. 22
Location: Mahjong Bar (1276 Dundas St. W.)
Inspired by vibrant Vietnamese flavours, this late-night cocktail party features exclusive cocktails, DJ beats, and delicious snacks.
Attendees will enjoy a night at the Mahjong Bar, accompanied by craft cocktails like the Vietnamese Coffee Espresso Martinis or Mango Lassis, packed with vibrant flavours.
The event is running from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., and tickets are available on Eventbrite from $78.
Día de Los Muertos at Suite 115
Date: Oct. 22
Location: Suite 115 (532 College St.)
The traditional Mexican Día de los Muertos will be the inspiration for this event, where guests will enjoy vibrant drinks and a vivid atmosphere.
A mariachi band will take over Suite 115 for some dancing and celebration, and guests will be able to enjoy drinks made with Patrón Tequila and Ilegal Mezcal paired with a set of two delicious tacos, and get a complimentary Calavera face painting to embrace the spirit.
Tickets for the event are available on Eventbrite for $74, and the event is happening from 5:30–9:30 p.m.
