Tough workweek got you down? Head over to these west end bars at happy hour and kick it with a pint, cocktail and glass of wine on special. When it comes to lively evening vibes and a sweet selection of libations, there’s no need to wait for the weekend – there’s something on every night of the week at these Toronto spots. [Image credit: iStock.com/PeopleImages]
Bar Neon is quickly gaining pace as one of the best happy hours spots in Toronto. Head over with some friends for $5 pints from 5 pm 7 pm and slurp back some super-fresh buck-a-shuck oysters. The drink specials keep flowing all week long with ½ price bottles of wine after 7 pm on Mondays and ½ price wings on Tuesdays. Still not convinced? The huge patio out back is one of Toronto’s best – or perhaps Bar Neon’s slogan up on the drinks board will make the sale: Cold beer, cute servers ;)
The Drake hosts their popular Aprés Work menu weekdays from 4 pm to 7 pm featuring special tasters and snacks like charcuterie, lobster nachos and a dry-dged burger and fries. Wash your food down with 2-ounce cocktails on special for $8, select beers at $5 and glasses of wine at $6. Still hungry? The Drake’s famous Sushi Omakase should do the trick.
Every Sunday night Farmhouse Tavern on Dupont does something called F*ck Mondays, a food and drink frenzy with rotating specials by the hour from 5 pm to 10 pm. It’s an everything-must-go night, with items crossed off the chalkboard menu as they sell out, so be sure to snag your table early. You’ll find $6 pints from 6 pm to 7 pm, $7 cocktails from 7 pm to 8 pm, $8 glasses of wine from 8 pm to 9 pm and 50 per cent off food from 9 pm to 10 pm.
Northwood is a hip candle-lit bar with a killer patio at the corner of Bloor and Crawford Streets. With a great craft selection on tap and in bottles, Northwood’s happy hour runs from 5 pm to 7 pm every day, with $2 off all beers. It’s a great chance to try some sours; Northwood’s made it their mandate to stock tasty, tart and always-unique brews.
The mingle-friendly Handlebar in Toronto’s Kensington Market is a great spot to catch some local live music or chat up some regulars at the bar. A low-lit interior with antique furniture à la Mad Men in the front, and table seating in the back (plus a sweet dance floor if you’re seeking some hip hop or soul tunes), Handlebar also hosts a front-facing patio with the perfect gaze to bustling Augusta Avenue. Swing by on Mondays when drinks are on special for just $5.
Loveless is Little Portugal neighbourhood haunt. The Dundas West spot is an all-day café gone bar at night with ample seating inside and a sprawling patio out front. Happy hour at Loveless runs from 4pm to 7pm. Grab a Woodhouse cider for $5 and saddle up beside fellow locals on the busy patio benches.