After enduring what feels like Toronto’s (in our opinion) longest winter ever, the weather has really warmed up. You know what that means — patio season! Where better to share loaded nachos and a jug of sangria in the sun with some amigos than Toronto’s own West Queen West to Queen West area? Cushman and Wakefield rated West Queen West one of North America’s coolest retail neighbourhoods but the area has so much more to offer, especially in terms of patios. With adorable boutiques, endless delicious eateries, and indie art galleries at every corner, Queen West’s cool factor is sitting at a 10. Secretly, we all know the best part of patio lounging is the people watching, and in this area of town, practically every person who passes you is bound to be cool enough to turn heads.
See Vv Magazine’s round up of Toronto’s Best Patios: Queen West Edition below!
The Drake Hotel Sky Yard
1550 Queen St. W
The Drake Hotel Sky Yard patio is as cool as it sounds. With a stunning decor and a decadent menu (we’re talking oysters and sashimi), this patio is perfect for date nights with the boo or some friends.
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Tequila Bookworm
512 Queen St. W
If you’re looking to escape the hustle & bustle of the city, Tequila Bookworm has the perfect, mid-sized rooftop patio. Fill up on easy drinks like craft beer or if you feel like socializing the night away, transition into the harder stuff because the kitchen is open until 2:00 am every day.
Terroni
720 Queen St. W
If you like real Southern Italian food and wine, Terroni is the spot for you. The wholesome joint’s back patio is an ideal place to cozy up with some of your closest friends and a bottle of Pinot.
Carmen
922 Queen St. W
Carmen is known for its Spanish-style cuisine, so don’t expect any less from its soon-to-come patio. The Spanish decor is charming and makes for a great place to enjoy some of the best tapas in the city paired with a glass of sangria.
Rivoli
334 Queen St. W
Rivoli is a Toronto hotspot. It’s said that some of the best people-watching in town goes down at the Rivoli patio, plus their food is authentic and tasty. We recommend the gnocchi — it’s bowl licking good. You can even shoot some pool upstairs as the night goes on!
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Nuit Social
1168 Queen St. W
Charcuterie, cheese, Italian dishes wine and signature cocktails galore! If you’re looking for a cozy or romantic spot, Nuit Social is one of your best options. The candle-lit, back patio is secluded and offers the perfect ambiance for a first-date or intimate meeting – plus, they do buck-a-shuck on Wednesdays!
Black Bull Tavern
298 Queen St. W
This place is always busy — and for good reason. The Black Bull’s patio is large and perfectly placed. Don’t be wearing any suits here, this hotspot is super casual. If you feel like pub grub and some good ol’ people watching, this is the patio to be at.
Squirly’s
807 Queen St. W
Squirly’s is hip, cool, and a great place for 20-somethings. With an extensive beer menu and reasonable prices, you’re bound to have a good time.
Bovine Sex Club
542 Queen St. W
Step past the club’s rock n’ roll (and sort of scary and intimidating) exterior, and up to their rooftop patio which has almost a completely different vibe. The Tiki Bar is a tropical oasis with picnic style seating and a fully loaded bar.
Queen Mother
208 Queen St. W
Famous for their Lao-Thai and pan-global cuisine, Queen Mother has been around for over 35 years — and for good reason. Housed in a 150-year-old building, the garden-style patio is a perfect fit to the old school atmosphere.
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Fresh
894 Queen St. W
Fresh since 1999, indeed. Fresh at Queen and Crawford’s pleasant patio is ideal for Toronto’s vegetarian crowd. The meatless menu may be healthy, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t delicious. Let the sun shine down, relax, and enjoy a nice cold microbew while sitting back.
County General
936 Queen St. W
Crafty cocktails, delicious brunch, and Ontario farmed food! That’s right: we’re talking about the County General. The vibe is country-meets-city and the servers feel like family. The patio is small but great for people-watching.
The Beverley Hotel
335 Queen St. W
The Beverley Hotel isn’t just a place to sleep. The menu is filled with locally farmed ingredients, making it a hit spot to dine on any day of the week. Grab a cocktail from one of the many talented mixologists and head up to the fabulous rooftop patio. The view will not fail to amaze.
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Fonda Lola
942 Queen St. W
Fonda Lola Mexican Bistro has an adorable back wooden patio where you can enjoy some of the most delicious Mexican food in the city. Owned by a Mexico City expat, you can expect some authentic dishes and, of course, drinks!
Java House
537 Queen St. W
If you’re looking to grab cheap drinks and grub, look no further. Located in the thick of downtown, Java House has a comfy, informal patio and bites to go along with it. Almost everything on the menu is under $10, plus they have all-day breakfast.
Queen Street Warehouse
232 Queen St. W
Be prepared to wait in line at Warehouse; there’s usually people filed down the street, but for good reason. The sidewalk patio has a laid back vibe, the menu is budget-friendly (everything is $4.95) and the drink list is long and lengthy. You’ll definitely leave feeling satisfied.
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Milagro
783 Queen St. W
Milagro has a little hidden gem of a patio; located on the second floor, it’s a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The authentic Mexican eatery has a long list of drool-worthy dishes and drinks to quench your thirst on those hot summer days. Plus what’s a Mexican restaurant without a Fiesta? Happy hour drink deals happen every Thursday to Saturday – go grab some margaritas!
The Dime
538 Queen St. W
Being the sister bar and eatery to Queen Street Warehouse, you can expect the same budget-friendly everything-$4.95 menu at The Dime. The quaint patio is located at the back and has cozy feel with several wooden booths as well as a small patio bar. Though it’s small, you could say easy access to drinks makes up for the lack of space.
RELATED LINK: The 15 Best Hidden Patios in Toronto
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What are some of your favourite patios on the Queen West strip? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.
