Babies don’t drink, but that doesn’t mean this family-friendly neighbourhood is devoid of places to get the sauce. With Runnymede subway at its core, it’s a city-suburb (a “cuburb,” if you please) that’s easy to get to. Plus, fewer buildings mean fewer places for the sun to hide.
OLD STANDBYS Wide open and with lots of seating, A Dark Horse (2401 Bloor W., 416-769-4696) is the best spot for those looking to get a tan. Multiple beer choices and pub grub will keep you happy for hours.
The Swan and Firkin (2205 Bloor W., 416-767-9222) has a second-floor patio that overlooks Bloor. Partially covered, it’s ideal for enjoying a pitcher in the open air but not the rain. Unlike some of the other Firkins, this one isn’t draped in British nostalgia… except for the meat pies. Go for the waffle cut fries instead.
The patio is the only thing that’s modest about Dr. Generosity (2197 Bloor W., 416-604-0704), which boasts an impressive selection of microbrews and whale-sized food portions. Dust off your Dom Pérignon and celebrate on a Monday for once, when the corking fee for BYOW is only $1.
AND FOR THE MORNING AFTER Sunset Grill (2200 Bloor W., 416-763-1444) slings breakfast hash all day, so there’s no hurry to get out of bed, and the patio is right in the thick of the village. If the crowd’s too much for you, get your coffee to go and walk east to High Park (nature’s patio). For the hardcore: stop at the LCBO on the way and Irish up that java.