About Toronto
Toronto is the capital the province of Ontario and has the largest population of any Canadian city. The metropolitan area sits on the western edge of Lake Ontario. It has a large university and is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Canada (along with Vancouver) with over 150 different languages spoken. It is also the headquarters of Canada’s largest banks and media outlets.
Getting to Toronto
Toronto can be accessed worldwide through Pearson International airport (30 minutes to downtown) and Billy Bishop City airport on Toronto Island for flights within Canada, Boston and Washington. Visitors from the US can travel by car, typically Detroit 6 hours, New York and Chicago 11 hours. Public transport in the city is frequent and a choice of subway, streetcar and bus with some services available 24 hours.
I arrived from London Heathrow for a 2-day stopover on the way Vancouver, to visit the Winter Fair. The journey from the airport to the hotel was by train to Union station and took about 40 minutes ($12.50). The Chelsea hotel on Gerrard Street was a 20-minute walk away.
Here are some of my favourite places in no particular order:
1. Queen & Beaver (35 Elm Street), just round the corner from the hotel, this is a British style pub with a good range of beers (including Fullers London Pride). The menu is what you would expect, steak pies, fish and chips, the usual British pub grub. There is Premier League football on TV … did I really just come off a flight? With 2 patios and a dining room, there is plenty of space to have a quiet drink.
Opening hours
Mon-Wed 11:30 am - 12:00 am
Thu-Fri 11:30 am - 01:00 am
Sat 10:00 am - 01:00 am
Sun 10:00 am - 12:00 am
Website
2. Thirsty and Miserable (197 Baldwin Street) is probably my favourite bar in the city as my mood tends to fit the criteria. Named after a Black Flag song and owned by a punk band guitarist, you are assured of a quality beer selection and some conversation. The bar is cash only and you can pay in USD, but the exchange rate will be 1-1 with CAD! In some ways it reminds me of the Lab in Glasgow (which is not a bad thing) ... small outside area leading to a bar, well stocked fridge and downstairs toilets (Not as bad as you might think). Worth a visit.
3. Kensington Market (Kensington Avenue). Directly along the road from Thirsty and Miserable, the market has a variety of independent shops, street food vendors and craft stalls. Right beside Chinatown. A unique shopping experience.
4. Shortstack Records (778 Dundas Street West) An independent record store with a large selection of new and used vinyl. The sort of place you pop in when you have 15 minutes to spare and come out 2 hours later.
5. Imperial Pub (54 Dundas Street East) Right beside Dundas Square and Ryerson University, this is another old-style pub. Downstairs is the bar with fish tanks on the wall and upstairs is more of a library environment with leather couches. There is a roof top patio which is open in the summer months and reasonable bar menu. Busy with both students and locals.
6. The Craft Brasserie (107 Atlantic Avenue) The Craft is situated in Liberty Village in a modern brick building just 15 minutes from the Exhibition Centre. There are over 100 beers on tap with a large beer hall set in the basement. The food is the usual burgers, ribs, tacos and sharing platters. Beer glazed ribs are tasty and reasonable at 15 CAD. Order a beer flight if you want to try before deciding on your perfect pint.
7. Dominion Pub & Kitchen (500 Queen Street East) 30 minutes from the hotel in the Trefann Court area. Could be described as a hipster bar with exposed brick walls but a reasonable beer selection and live music on a Saturday night. Happy hours 3pm – 6pm Mon to Fri, then 10 pm – Close.
8. Massey Hall (178 Victoria Street). One of the most iconic buildings in Toronto. Opened in 1894, a host of famous names have appeared here. In 1965, Bob Dylan was booed as he played an electric guitar. In 1971, Neil Young played the first of his successful concerts there. The venue will be closed until mid-2021 for refurbishment.
Toronto is a great place to visit and some of the outlying ‘villages’ are worth exploring. I am due to return at the end of 2020 and look forward to revisiting and discovering more of the city.
