Toronto probably offers the best skyline view in Canada. And it would be a shame not being able to enjoy the fantastic rooftop views here during the winter season as well.
Not to worry, there are plenty of Toronto rooftop patios open also during the colder months. Retractable roofs, heaters and panoramic interior lounges ensures a cosy, comfy and elevated winter experience.
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Here's our list of the 7 best winter open rooftop bars in Toronto.
AP Restaurant invites to sky high dining in the heart of Yorkville, Toronto.
Found on the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre, this is Toronto's highest rooftop bar and restaurant.
Elegant and sophisticated, the rooftop blends two seasonal outdoor rooftop terraces with a panoramic interior, so the absolutely amazing views over the Toronto skyline are available year round.
High above it all, here you can enjoy Japanese and Pan-Asian inspired dishes created by celebrity chef Antonio Park.
The food is complemented with an impressive selection of sake, often also found in the signature cocktails. There is also Old World wines and Japanese whisky.
Booking are highly recommended to enjoy elevated and stylish Toronto evenings.
AP RESTAURANT
On the top floor of 1 Hotel Toronto you find a luxurious rooftop lounge with expansive city views.
Called Harriet's Rooftop, this elevated venue mixes the natural and sustainable with the posh and contemporary, creating a vibe that’s both lively and cozy.
Offering a sunny poolside lounge vibe during summer, Harriet's dress up with a heated winterized patio and interior seating during the colder months, creating a comfy winter experience.
Light bites made from seasonal ingredients are complemented with seasonal craft cocktails and bottle service, inviting to both stylish after work drinks, vibrant dinners and buzzing nights with live DJs.
HARRIET'S ROOFTOP
With a casual and relaxed atmosphere that invites you to chill with your friends, Hemingway's is a perfect little getaway for when you want to take a break.
Inspired by New Zealand, in both looks, food, and drinks, Hemingway's is a lot larger than it initially looks.
Equipped with four patios, all stacked with simple yet comfortable furniture, retractable roof and heaters, there's plenty of space to hold live DJ events, "silent disco nights," trivia nights, and all kinds of fun events.
Another thing that sets Hemingway apart is its tap system, as they offer up to 24 different draught beers. Perfect for the beer lovers!
If beer isn't your thing, don't worry, though it's the focus of the bar, Hemingway has an extensive drink menu that you're sure to enjoy.
Reservations are not needed, nor any specific dress style. Come as you are and get ready to have fun!
HEMINGWAY'S
The Pilot is a well-known bar around Toronto, thanks to its large terrace bar and comfortable atmosphere.
The "flight deck", as the terrace is called, offers simple but straight to the point decoration that seats plenty.
All while offering some pretty impressive views of the city.
The Pilot is split into two levels:
The lower level is entirely roofed, is open year-round, and is the perfect spot to watch sports games, listen to music and enjoy delicious bar-bites.
The terrace is officially only open from March to December, but it do come with heaters and retractable awnings, so as long as the weather is not to bad, it might just be available.
Don't let the eventual lack of an actual rooftop bar for a few winter months stop you, though.
The people at The Pilot certainly know how to have fun, and they're amazing at organizing seasonal events to keep the party going.
No specific dress code is required. This is a casual bar for casual people.
THE PILOT
If you're looking for a more exclusive yet equally enjoyable destination, then head out to 627 King Street West, where you can find Lavelle.
Though it's located on top of a condo building, this bar is open to the public, and what a good thing that is!
Proudly displaying not one, or two, but three rooftop pools, Lavelle is a preferred spot during the summer, but it's a great destination even during the chilly winters!
During the coldest months of the year, Lavelle undergoes a transformation.
The pools are enclosed to create three different areas, all with comfortable pool-side seating, and the ultramarine cabanas become tiny cottages.
If you're still not convinced by the changes, Lavelle offers indoor seating as well, making it an ideal place to visit no matter the season.
Though this isn't the most luxurious bar in Toronto, it's still up there, so make sure to dress to impress whenever visiting this rooftop bar.
LAVELLE
With a unique and colorful design that speaks of a lot of creativity, this restaurant/bar has everything a sky bar needs to be memorable.
Creative and delicious signature cocktails, tasty dishes perfect for sharing, a variety of comfortable seating options, and a great atmosphere makes the Drake Sky Yard a must-visit.
Best described as "colorful industrial chick," the Sky Yard offers both indoor and outdoor seatings and is open year-round.
While the construction is fairly airy, the bar transforms during the winters, usually setting up small tents and firepits to keep you warm.
Whether you're looking for sunny cocktails or warm drinks, the Drake Sky Yard has something for you.
Make sure to charge your phone before getting here, because you'll want to take plenty of pictures.
DRAKE SKY YARD
A spacious and comfortable location, the Gusto 101 is a restaurant with amazing bar options and a cozy roof terrace.
With only two-stories in height, the views aren't particularly noteworthy, but the food more than makes up for that!
Pair up traditional southern Italian cuisine with delicious wines –including the house wine, at $1 per ounce– or classic hand-made cocktails.
Gusto 101 has three areas: the street seating, indoor seating, and the terrace.
The terrace is the most popular and the one that fills the fastest, so make sure to arrive in time or make reservations.
The terrace is also equipped with a retractable roof, perfect for rainy or snowy days.
GUSTO 101
Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.
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