The Distillery District is an upscale, arts-focussed oasis where you can go to escape the stresses of city life. On its cobbled walkways, you’ll encounter galleries, performance venues, high-end clothing, design and electronic shops as well as a range of bars and patios.
OLD STANDBYS With its chop-house style menu, industrial design and live jazz, the Boiler House (55 Mill, bldg. 46, 416-203-2121) is a fail-safe date, after-theatre or brunch destination. Oddly, and possibly attractively, its sprawling patio is illuminated by giant flowerpot-shaped lights.
The Mill Street Brew Pub (55 Mill, bldg. 63, 416-681-0338) specializes in pub fare like burgers, sandwiches and spectacular wings. Step inside, carefully ignoring the merch section, to admire the shiny beer vats and prettily painted brick walls. There are umbrella-sheltered patios on two sides of this relatively affordable establishment.
The Pure Spirits Oyster House and Grill (55 Mill, bldg. 62A, 416-361-5859) features an oyster bar, natch, plus an elegant atmosphere and menu, including some delicious-looking specialty drinks. Outside, there’s a 100-seat fine dining patio plus a large, adjacent beer garden.
Archeo (55 Mill, bldg. 45, 416-815-9898) is located in what was once the Distillery’s carpentry shop. Reflecting this, the district’s old wood was used in the construction of the trattoria’s tables and ornate bars. The gorgeous space has large windows, high ceilings and unusual dividers — and there’s a 100-plus-person patio hidden away from the local foot traffic.
BEST PLACE TO GET FULLY INTIMATE WITH CHOCOLATE As well as a 20-person patio, Soma Chocolate (55 Mill, bldg. 48, 416-815-7662) has a chocolate laboratory, a view of its chocolate makers, more types of chocolate than you can imagine and 14 varieties of sorbet and gelato.