Once seedy, the Paddock has gone upscale: it has a beautiful curved bar, dim lights and cool jazz, plus an artsy-media crowd, who come to drink posh...

At the top of a skyscraper, Panorama lives up to its name, offering expansive views of the city. The crowd is conservative: thirtysomething power-suited...

Comfortable, well-lit, second-floor pool hall attracting both men and women.

Behind a glacial white façade, Russian dolls nestle under the hammer-and-sickle flag and portraits of Lenin. There's a sofa lounge at the back, and premium...

The vintage typewriter in the window may reflect the neighbourhood's gaggle of scribes, but you don't have to be a starving novelist to sidle up to the bar...

This smart pub has a beer garden patio in the back, with 17 local brews on tap. Hearty pub grub (try the buffalo burger) and easy access from the Rosedale...

From the people who brought you the Green Room comes another student-friendly pub. Old-fashioned street lamps light the patio, and inside the casually hip...

This party palace in Little Italy has been going strong for five years, with its mixed programme of DJs, concerts and the occasional surprise event, such as...

A classic Queen Street bar, the Rivoli has one of the best patios in the city, a popular restaurant and a long martini bar, which is often crowded with...

A mere 18 storeys off the ground, this is by no means the loftiest bar in the city. But it is possibly the nicest of Toronto's high-altitude drinking...

Smart lesbians dominate this bar-restaurant on weekends, but the rest of the time it's a real mix, not to mention a hoot. Formerly known as Slack Alice.

This small cocktail bar holds only 50 people (but another 25 can squeeze on to the back patio). It's dark and seductive, with red plush chairs and...

A favourite student and budget watering hole, with time-worn velveteen armchairs and, in summer, a pleasant, spacious back patio stuffed with mid-century...

A tiny piano bar with an older but lively clientele.