The city is back to life, full of events, activities, and things to do almost every week. Between concerts, plays, sports and more, there’s plenty to keep you in the downtown core after work. If you’re looking for a place to get hyped before a later activity, or you just want to meet a friend before heading home, the city is chock full of happy hours that offer a solid bang for your buck and a convivial, trendy atmosphere. We’ve rounded up some of our favourites in the city that are sure to offer good vibes, good food and good snacks. Keep reading to check them out.
Here are the best happy hour spots in Toronto:
Luma
Located inside the TIFF Bell Lightbox, Luma‘s happy hour, dubbed Magic Hour, takes place from Tuesday to Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The venue boasts impressive views of the King Street West nightlife scene and is a convenient location for many of the evening happenings in the city. Opt for the Luma takes on classic cocktails like the espresso martini, Manhattan or negroni sbagliato, and pair it with unique bar bites like the crispy tofu and cucumber, the carrot spring rolls, and more.
STK Yorkville
Situated a bit farther north, STK Yorkville‘s happy hour is certainly worth checking out, as some of the deals, including oysters on the half shell, start at just $3. A giant wagyu meatball, a vodka cured cucumber and salmon stiletto and a short rib quesadilla headline the $6 offerings, and the classic cocktails, alongside select wines by the glass and dishes like the beef tartare and crispy calamari, are all on offer for $9. STK’s happy hour takes place from Monday to Friday, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Melrose on Adelaide
Good drinks, good vibes and good people is the slogan at this downtown core cocktail bar, and with good reason. The everyday happy hour takes place from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and offers the restaurant‘s own lager for $5, as well as glasses of house wine for $7 and feature cocktails for $11. Some shareable snacks are on special too, with prices beginning at just $5. And, as an added bonus, Wednesdays are wine nights, boasting half-price bottles all night. And, Oysters & Bubbles Sundays bring buck-a-shuck and $45 bottles of bubbles (or mimosas) to the menu all night.
Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar
Established in 1955, Hy’s Steakhouse and Cocktail Bar has locations across Canada, primarily on the west coast. The happy hour is seven days a week and boasts two times: from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and after 9:00 p.m. The sharing and snacking menus, dotted with dishes like the Lobster Cobb Salad and the Vegetable Crudité, are 30% off, two-ounce feature cocktails are $10.50, and local draft beer is $8, among other specials that include wine and Veuve Clicquot.
King Taps
The happy hour menu at this King Street spot is brimming with options, from drinks to shareable to full-blown entrees. Choose from steak frites, nachos and a tuna poke bowl, or opt for smaller options like truffle fries or edamame. Pair your culinary selection with a glass of house wine ($6 for 5 ounces), a $7 pint of a rotating tap beer, or a $7 highball, among other drink selections. The specials take place every day from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., as well as from 9:00 p.m. to close Sundays through Thursdays and 10:00 p.m. to close on Fridays and Saturdays.
Score on King
This east-end spot is known for its huge selection of Caesars, but the brand-new happy hour has also quickly become one of the best in the city. From Monday to Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., guests can chomp down on shareables like cauliflower wings and stuffed tater kegs, or opt for entrees like the Score Burger or the Buddha Bowl at discounted prices. Drink specials include well highballs for $5.50, $5 Jameson shots, and six-ounce glasses of Peller Family Estate wines for $8. Daily drink specials are also on offer at this larger-than-life bar.