Happy hour in Toronto is precarious, and with the rising cost of living- precious.
After years of banning happy hours, the government allows reduced drink prices during certain times of day, as long as it’s not called “happy hour”.
So whether it’s “social club hour,” “appy hour,” “zinc and drink,” or has no name at all, you can still find a happy hour- wait don’t call it that!
With all these different names and lack of advertising, it can be hard to find cheap drinks…
Top 10 places for cheap after-work drinks:
10. AFT: 686 Queen Street E, 647-346-1541
You will feel like you’re having casual drinks in a friend’s backyard at this laid-back Leslieville/Riverside spot. Before 6pm Monday-Friday, enjoy a 16 oz glass of Sapporo, PBR or Wellington for $5.25. Tip: Ask about their smoked BBQ.
9. The Citizen: 522 King Street W, 416-703-2800
This King West spot is loud and fun. Tuesday to Friday 5-7pm enjoy $5 drinks: 20 oz pints (Heineken, Creemore, Banquet, Murphy’s Stout, Newcastle, Belgian Moon), Strongbow cider, house wine or bar rail mixed drinks. Hit the patio for an even livelier scene.
8. Northwood: 815 Bloor Street, 416-846-8324
This bar carefully curates a rotating menu of local craft beers that are all $2 off from 5-7pm everyday. Keeping up with new releases from Collective Arts, Junction and Beau’s will make you a regular.
7. Prohibition Gastro House: 696 Queen Street E, 416-406-2669
There’s something for all your friends during “Hooch Hour”: Even premium liquors like Glenlivet and Grey Goose get “the hooch” treatment along with 18oz pints (Beau’s, Pilsner Urquell, Stiegl, Creemore) and 6 oz wine pours for just $5.09 at this Lesieville spot from 5-7pm daily.
6. Pearl Diver: 100 Adelaide Street E, 416-366-7827
Weekdays 3-6pm get a featured pint of beer (usually Wellington) for $5 and 12 oysters for $18. The seafood tower (pictured) is half price ($30) on Tuesdays 6-10pm.
5. Liberty Commons: 42 Liberty Street, 416-304-9403
Located inside the Big Rock Brewing complex, this laid back gastropub offer you a 14 oz glass of Big Rock Lager for just $3.50 or an Old Fashioned for $7 every single day 5-7pm.
4. Luma: 2nd Floor, 330 King Street W, 647-288-4715
This swanky restaurant on the second floor of the TIFF Lightbox offers 6 different styles of manhattans, at just $6 each you might want to try them all- Monday to Friday 4-9pm.
3. Baro: 485 King Street W, 416-363-8388
On the second floor of this King West hot spot between 5-7pm you will find “Fiesta Hour”: $5 snacks such as beef and tuna hand rolls can be paired with a $5 glass of wine or $20 sangria pitcher.
2. Home of the Brave: 589 King Street W, 416-366-2736
Voted Toronto’s favourite bar, this King West hot spot offers you a $5 12oz mug of beer or a $9 old fashioned weekdays 5-7pm. Eye candy is free;)
1. Bar Neon: 1226 Bloor Street, 647-748-6366
The undeniably cool atmosphere of this Bloordale neighborhood spot offers buck-a-shuck and $5.50 16 oz craft beer pours everyday 5-7pm. The backyard patio has a laid back vibe perfect after a long workday.
Quoted prices do not include tax. Happy hours are known to change or disappear, not a bad idea to call ahead.
Keep Reading: 3 Places for Boozy Brunch
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