Ten Toronto patios to soak up the sun this summer
Whether it’s the peak of summer vacation, the end of a long day at work, or a lazy Saturday afternoon, why not hit a buzzing Toronto patio for your favourite brew?
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Canada has a worldwide reputation as a winter nation – but as lengthy as our winters are, Canadians always make the most of our country’s splendid summer months. In fact, when it comes to those brighter, hotter days, savouring some Sol Cerveza on a sunny patio is as much a part of Canadian culture as the hockey rink in the winter.
If you live in or around Toronto, the summers aren’t just ‘good enough’ – they’re awash in sunshine, with at least some sun for an astounding average of 305 days of the year. And as for the kind of bright sunshine that makes for perfect patio weather, you can count on that for almost half of the daylight hours.
And you can be sure it’s not just you who can’t resist. A full 60 per cent of Canadians say the ability to sit outside is important when picking a restaurant or bar, and three in ten say just being outside makes them switch up their drink order.
There’s a pretty clear preference for cerveza over vino: If numbers from the first three months of spring 2022 are anything to go by, half of patio goers opt for a beer, a third prefer wine, and a quarter choose cocktails.
Whether it’s the peak of summer vacation, the end of a long day at work, or a lazy Saturday afternoon, why not hit a buzzing Toronto patio for your favourite brew? Aside from cheerfulness that comes from just being outside, what better place is there to enjoy the summer with friends and family?
On that note, here are some of the city’s most radiant patios. Read through and find one that suits you, or go exploring to discover your own outdoor oasis. It’s summer in Toronto, and the city is filled with destination-worthy patios to sip a cold one this summer.
Courtesy: Molson Sol X
The owners of this gastropub at the corner of Portland and Adelaide went all out for their internal decor, with creative murals, plates and red mood lighting, but of course, sunseekers will be more than happy taking a seat on the patio, with a glass covering that will keep out any unexpected rain, but not the sun. Mealwise, Petty Cash’s gastropub fare (they seem really proud of their pizzas) is backed by a solid selection of summer beers on tap and in cans and bottles.
Some patios are small, almost cozy affairs. Rendezviews, steps away from Scotiabank Theatre on Richmond, is the complete opposite. This bright and colourful patio sprawls across what used to be a parking lot, and is the single largest in the city. Aside from a fine selection of beers in cans, a big draw is the beautiful art installation that blankets the floor, not to mention regular programming and entertainment, a sizeable outdoor view screen, and beach volleyball (yes, it really is big enough for all that).
Featuring five Toronto locations with mid-sized sidewalk patios, this Mexican-themed restaurant franchise makes a real splash with its unique artwork. For beer lovers, you’ll find brands on tap and in cans that match the vibe perfectly, including an in-house pilsner.
On King Street near Spadina, Baro offers a different, modern and unique spin on Latin culture. Featuring multiple levels, its crown jewel is its rooftop patio. Closed but bright and airy, you and your friends can enjoy your meal and your drink surrounded by tasteful tropical South American decor. It even includes its own, specialized menu, with mouth-watering Latin fare and a respectable selection of beers on tap.
Said to be Toronto’s oldest bar, the Wheatsheaf Tavern has occupied the corner of King and Bathurst since 1849. It’s been lovingly maintained and restored, so as far as tavern fare goes, you can’t get more classic than this, and visitors to its patio will have plenty of hearty food to choose from, not to mention a good variety of beer choices on tap.
The Madison Avenue Pub, popularly known as the Maddy, has been a mainstay for thirsty university students for 40 years, and it’s got quite the atmosphere. Spread out over multiple floors across three interconnected Victorian mansions, it may be somewhat rowdy on some nights, but the food is good and varied. Plus, there’s enough beer on tap and in cans that you’ll find something that you’ll be happy to sip on the pub’s abundant patio space.
‘Wilbur’ seems like a peculiar name for a Mexican restaurant, but the menu fare at this joint on King Street in the Fashion District is definitely in that vein, along with Mexican-style beers to enjoy on its outdoor patio.
In a city full of Irish pubs, this one offers some Northern fare to visitors who drop in to its location on King Street in the fashion district. Along with traditional pub favourites and abundant modern dishes, including pizzas, the patio is an inviting spot to enjoy one of the impressive selection of draft beers the Belfast Love Public House has on tap.
Jack Astor’s cheeky attitude is on display at multiple locations across Toronto, including its busy Front Street location, a fine place to grab a cold one on the patio whether you’re done work or just starting a visit downtown. Aside from the worthy food menu, there are so many beers on tap you’ll struggle NOT to find something that’ll hit the spot – and groups of two or more can enjoy one of their chilled beer buckets outdoors.
Everyone comes for the games (of which there is a truly staggering variety and number to choose from), but of course the food is grand, the draught beer selection is VERY extensive, and the patio space is abundant. Whether in between games, or just for its own sake, the patio helps you make the most of a summer afternoon at the city’s iconic Roundhouse Park.
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