The chandeliers glow and reflect in the stainless- steel bar of the Beaconsfield, which is within staggering distance of the Drake. Housed in a former bank building, it's a...

This old townhouse is one of the more civilised drinking establishments in the Annex. The bar gets plenty of the university trade in the shape of graduate students sipping...

This cosy subterranean bar is a beer drinker's delight, offering 40 brews on tap, including the house's own hemp ale and coffee porter. Linger over backgammon, Scrabble, darts...

Denim-clad drinkers down bourbon and listen to country music in this appealingly shabby bar. There's a band playing most Saturday nights, and a honky-tonk Sunday matinée.

Old-cool and new-school Queen Street mix in this dark, friendly bar. Artists and musicians haunt the former flophouse, gaining inspiration from the faded ceiling murals, cheap...

Canoe is a Toronto showpiece, both for the lofty setting and superlative cuisine. It's also a favourite with the CEOs who toil in the concrete canyons of Bay Street: they...

Dundas West has a few quietly hip bars, and Chelsea Room is a gem. You could easily miss this gently lit space, but it's worth seeking out for its (tiny) patio, brightly tiled...

Exposed brick and dark wood set the tone for this old favourite. Less formal than some of its swanky neighbours, it's still a place where the young and fashionable come to see...

Tucked away among the area's macho Portuguese soccer bars and Catholic churches, this tiny bustling bar is as unpretentious as its surrounding neighbourhood, but somehow very...

A motley crowd of dykes and queens mingles in these Victorian houses. Entertainment ranges from drag to dancing to karaoke, and the vibe is down to earth. Expect queues on...

On a burgeoning strip, this comfy lounge attracts a mix of locals and hipsters who are venturing west. Roomy wooden booths invite lounging; the soundtrack is a mix of...

This airy, chic bar-bistro excels at wines by the glass, with more than 30 selections, and a robust menu. At midday, sizzling steak sandwiches are served with buttery...

Countrified trendiness is the idea at this western-themed watering hole, which features Sunday night barn dances and a bluegrass brunch. Settle into a barrel-shaped bar stool...

Favoured by locals for a pint of Guinness or a glass of Jameson's, this low-key Irish bar has a handsome wood and copper decor, a fireplace and a snug.