I don't know how to describe the experience I had here. The super creative drinks are a whole experience! The ingredients on the menu ... first, they're creative. Second they're meant to be an experience. There are multiple parts and they're meant to be consumed to create the cocktail equivalent of the perfect bite. I had the Golden Honey Penicillin with its amuse bouche (corn cannoli) and burnt honey sherbet over snow covered with crispy panels (?)... this was to be alternated with the cocktail ... and it was to be savored because it was such a great combination of flavors and textures but also because there were spices being released from the ice cubes ... amazing doesn't describe the experience! Super comfortably dark ambiance and exceptional guidance from server. Forgot to add - wagyu beef tartare and smoked olives were delicious and satisfying sharables' read more

Visiting Toronto for the first time, I found myself here after someone had suggested this bar as a must visit. This place is on another level. The drinks are exceptional; they are well thought out and very creative. Depending on what you order, you may be getting a whole presentation/experience! I would highly recommend this place. read more

This place is always such a good time. The drinks are sooooo good. Even the standard drinks are exceptionally well done. The food is not bad either. The vibe is very unique almost remind me of snapes closet or classroom from Harry Potter . The service has also always been prompt and good. read more

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Great ambiance tucked away... this is more than mixology, this is gastrology! The sight, smell, taste of their drink menu was a curated feast for the senses. I loved my honey penicillin which was a combo of sweet and refreshing, sailors mojito really felt like the rolling sea. pina colada w the clarified milk pina colada was a sizable production. Only dud was the bananas etc. scent was promising but the cocktail itself was difficult to drink even when paired as suggested along side the sweet banana donut and pastries/sweets. Great place for a special occasion date. May be pricey for some wallets... thank you for the great service! read more

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Came here on a Friday night after dinner for a night cap. I definitely walked pass this place and didnt even know. It is very inconspicuous so be aware. As I enter, I noticed how dark and sexy this place was. A must for date night. We sat at the bar after being escorted by the hostess. Our server explained the menu to us. We were very intrigued by the interactive drinks. We ordered the mojito and margarita. The mojito was soooo delicious. The frozen lime balls went in first and then a sip of the drink. The drink wasnt strong enough but still very, very tasty. The presentation was smoky and very beautiful. It was tropical with sand and everything. My company had the rose gold margarita and did not enjoy the fruits that accompanied the drink and stated the drink wasnt strong enough either. read more

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We walked in on a Thursday and were seated right away. This cocktail bar is dark and vibey, suiting the theme We all got cocktails and mocktails They have a variety of classic and more unique/high end options Service was a little bit rude and they didn't like that we brought a cake or had jackets/takeout from the restaurant we went to (we weren't eating it there) read more

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BarChef is one of the three bars in the ownership. Great chill atmosphere with amazing music. Great service. Loved the cocktails and small plates. Some of the drinks are very intricate and very beautiful. Loved the Absinthe and the Margarita. read more

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Style over substance. The presentation is luxurious, but most of the drinks fall flat. Service was good though. Diplomatic Immunity: The mezcal overpowered everything else. I could taste hints of the other components, but it was so faint im not sure if i imagined it or not. Pina Colada: The drink itself was very impressive. I tasted no hints of alcohol. However, at the end of the day the drink just tasted like an extremely smooth pina colada. Also, the accompanying dessert was mediocre at best. Essence of Fall: Visually the most interesting presentation. But the drink fell flat. It was advertised as having an evolving flavor. But that ended up being from a ice cube of maple syrup melting. Which just made it sweet. read more

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A nice culinary experience with craft cocktails. I made reservations here just in case, which was a good call as it was almost full house (unless you are okay with bar seats which was fairly not occupied). I guess most people here do tables since the format of drinks, especially the Modernist series, is very aesthetic and people would want nice pictures of them, which may be challenging when seated at the bar. I got the Spring Thaw (42 CAD) and my friend got the Flavours of Iridescence (39 CAD). As you see, the drinks are definitely on the pricier side, but it flows like a tasting menu / pairing experience. You start with an amuse bouche of some vanilla pisco and orange palate cleanser before you get the cocktails. The cocktails that we got, in the Modernist series, have some form of food element for the most part. While the Spring Thaw is all infused in the cocktail, the Flavours of Iridescence had 2 plates - one with the wafer and cotton candy, the other with some gel and ice cream. The latter paired fairly well with the food given, but the cocktail itself was very okay. The Spring Thaw looked nice but a bit gimmicky. They say the cocktail transforms over 10 minutes, but it didn't really taste much different from the original first few sips. For a bar of this caliber, I expected more service like water refills and being more responsive to requests as we flagged down the server. Nonetheless, I was blown away from the presentation of the drinks here, especially from the Modernist Series, but I would not go out of my way as the drinks themselves were just average. read more

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What an incredible cocktail experience! I didn't have another cocktail for nearly a month after our experience at BarChef because they set the bar SOOO high. Everything was really good as we tried the different "chapters" BUT I seriously have never had anything like the Vanilla & Hickory Smoked Manhattan which is in the Modernist section was reads "A progressive culinary approach to the craft, incorporating aromatics and ingredients which create an immersive and multisensory experience. The following cocktails are prepared in the kitchen by our team of chefs." The manhattan description is as follows: Crown Royal Special Reserve, vanilla infused brandy, cherry and vanilla bitters, vanilla, smoked hickory. The cocktail that started it all, our signature since 2008. Cherry and black licorice with a pleasing burnt hickory flavour infused à la minute. Soooo, it was a $60 manhattan but it was damn good. I was fairly surprised at how strictly the enforced the 90 minute seating limit despite a relatively empty room. I suppose it also keeps patrons from getting too drunk though too! Now BarChef has a sister concept, PREQUEL & CO. APOTHECARY, which seems to have better snackies. I mean we had the charcuterie as well as the sliders just for some sustenance while we were drinking, but it wasn't anything to really write home about. read more

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Probably my favourite bar in Toronto! BarChef has a cozy, dimly lit vibe with candles and cool decor. It's relaxed but stylish, great for sipping creative cocktails and hanging out in an intimate, laid-back setting. My favourite drink is the old fashioned, made with rye whisky, maple syrup, and toasted chamomile bitters. It's rich, smooth, and packed with warm, cozy flavors. read more

BarChef - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This bar is amazing. The drinks were great in taste and presentation. Good atmosphere to hang out with friends as well. I ordered the Sesame Samurai, Strawberry & Basil Spritz, and Sailors Mojito, with a side of truffle fries. First time visiting this bar and definitely not my last, recommend others give it a visit as well. read more

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Love the concept of this place. We tried "essence of fall" from the modernist series and loved the taste and presentation. Cute that it also comes with a palette cleanser! Another drink from the perfumerie series (Luna Nera) was wonderful too. We just had drinks but are interested in trying food in the future. read more

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BarChef is a bar for cocktail aficionados and their friends. The drinks are best-in-class across the board. The ambiance is dark and louche and everything you'd ever want in a bar. Long and narrow, BarChef has the feel of an old-timey speakeasy. And the service is expert! Our server knew every detail we asked her about and had welcome opinions about what drinks we *should* order based on our stated taste profile preferences. One of us ordered a mocktail, and remarked that it was the first mocktail she had ever ordered that had the same sophisticated flavor of an alcohol-based cocktail. read more

BarChef - Each drink is lovingly garnished - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I don't go to bars much but this is definitely a really cool spot. I liked the ambiance, dark, moody but cozy at the same time. The server was extremely friendly, took the time to explain the menu, and point out the most popular drinks. The pina colada cocktail absinthe was divine, the perfect amount of sweet. I was worried it may have been a bit bitter but it wasn't. The immersive cocktails were really cool, from what I could see from other tables. This place is definitely great if you love to drink and experiment because there's a few pages of alcohol where you can create whatever you like. We didn't order any food but will definitely check it out next time. read more

BarChef - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Bar Chef is the coolest cocktail bar I've ever been to. It was an amazing experience to enjoy with friends. I came with a big group of friends and the servers were all very knowledgeable and friendly. I love the detailed descriptions of the flavor profiles for each cocktail. The thorough explanation as to what the cocktail and dessert pairings were plus the explanation of how to consume each part of it was magnificent. Loved both the experience and the cocktails here. Would highly recommend! read more

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Aesthetics - 5 stars for the presentation and experience. Absolute masterpieces. If you are looking for an immersive cocktail experience, this is probably the best you can get. Taste - However, I really didn't think the cocktails were delicious. They looked mind blowing but didn't taste the part. Price - I think the immersive ones are around 40-60 CAD which is kind of pricey but totally justified considering the effort and innovation that must've taken in creating them. I would go back in a heartbeat just to see those artful creations again. No expectations on the taste. read more

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We got into town late on a Wednesday night. Fortunately, it didn't feel late since we're from the West Coast. We were able to walk in and get seated right away around 11 PM. We ordered right away - a mixture of drinks and bar snacks since we hadn't had dinner. My boyfriend got one of their very elaborate drinks that was supposed to taste like key lime pie. The presentation was incredibly impressive. But we were all astounded that it came out first, before the more standard cocktail our other partner ordered or even the glass of wine our friend requested! The strange timing continued for the rest of our stay. Everything was fine. But not as outstanding as the hype led me to believe it would be. And the service was definitely a bit underwhelming. read more

Excellent cocktails, great vibe and little bougie price tag. Mostly a date spot. Will go there again read more

BarChef - Cocktails - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

One of the coolest bars I've been to EVER. This is a great place to go to if you're looking for an intimate setting, but also great for to go with friends. This bar was pretty busy so we put our name down with an average wait of about 30-40 min. Highly recommend rsvp-ing on open table! The manager and bartenders were super friendly and nice but definitely busy as the ambiance was bustling. If you don't know what you want, ask the bartender because they will give you excellent recommendations. The presentation and quality/taste of these drinks were beyond what I had imaged. Definitely worth a visit especially if you're visiting! read more

BarChef - Strawberry and basil - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This was a very cool experience! I'm not normally a drinker, but the atmosphere and menu invites you in. I wanted something traditional and the absinthe was a great choice. Tasted delicious with bites of licorice and fennel. Servers worked very hard to explain all the different types of drinks, and were kind and professional. Would highly recommend! read more

BarChef - Absinthe - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Wow... this was the best cocktail bar I've been to! The staff was amazing- so kind and explained the menu to us well, as it was our first time. The vibe is dark and upscale. We enjoyed 3 different drinks and all were great. I especially loved the Luna nera- such a wonderful flavor profile and depth to it. My boyfriend loved his cocktail Ola World. Then, we shared the modernist pina colada. It was $40 but very yummy and a must try for our first time. I'm not sure I'd pay the price to get it again but glad we got it this time! Overall, amazing! read more

BarChef - Luna Nera - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Bar Chef was hands-down one of the most memorable parts of my wife and I's trip to Toronto. Upon arriving and walking through the dark, unassuming entrance, we were greeted with a warm, unmistakably upscale interior. Dark textures, large library-like shelves, and candles adorned almost every surface visible. My wife and I arrived early so we waited at the bar and enjoyed a few of the classic cocktails, which were excellent. The bartender seemed truly passionate about her job and explained almost everything she was doing, which was interesting and enjoyable. Upon moving to our table, my wife and I ordered two of the sensory experience drinks, which I will cover in the next paragraph, fries, and the braised cheek sliders. The fries were crispy and delicious and their accompanying sauce was equally amazing. The sliders were good but lacked some seasoning. Now, the star of the show: the drinks. The sensory experience cocktails are unforgettable. Each comes on a tray of sorts and is accompanied with some plants or other adornments that suggest the taste profile of the drink. Additionally, most come with a food item--be it truffles, shaved ice, or something else. Finally, all (of course) come with an alcoholic beverage that is truly top notch. The experience is unlike nearly anything I have experienced elsewhere since it truly pays homage to the craft of making a cocktail and, as the bar's name suggests, converts the bartender into a chef in many ways. I highly recommend stopping here and will say it is truly a unique experience. My wife and I enjoyed it so much, we went back the next night! ------ Service: 5 Ambiance: 5 Food: 4 Drinks: 5 Consistency: 5 read more

BarChef - Compliments of the chef (Jell-O shots) - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I had to visit BarChef during my visit to Toronto based on the numerous recommendations from my local friends. This is THE cocktail bar to go to apparently! If you're from New York City, think Thyme Bar as a comparison. I came here with a table of 10 people on a Thursday evening. Even on a Thursday evening it was pretty busy! We booked in advance so they are able to accommodate our party. Just a word of caution, it is relatively dark inside for those who are concerned. Everyone got different drinks so we can experience the show that each drink comes with. The experience was very exquisite to say the least. My favorite drink that I sampled was my friends Vanilla and Hickory smoked Manhattan. I think that was one that appealed to me the most! All the presentations were beyond and extra. Now the drinks themselves are very unique. Some of them were just alright. At the price you're paying, it's mainly for the experience and the show. Nevertheless I had an outstanding time there and I would definitely come back on special occasions! read more

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One of the best bar I've be in Toronto, amazing presentation cocktail, highly recommended everyone to try Service was great bar tender super friendly to introduce drink menu I im picked Pina Colada (the pictures) super super cute definitely back again to try the rest of menu :) read more

BarChef - Pina colada - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Definitely a cool experience worth a visit at least once. Their signature drinks tend to come with an edible component and a drink. The drinks are well-made. Really enjoyed the "drinkable" portion of the pina colada. Service was fine. The servers explain the signature drinks. I'm a fan of the ambiance. Giving apothecary vibes. read more

BarChef - Mojito - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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YES you are paying $45 for a cocktail. NO it's not just a cocktail. YES it will be an immersive, unique experience unlike any other ordinary cocktail you've ever had. YES it is worth it. read more

BarChef - Pina colada - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

The atmosphere at Barchef is so perfect. It's dark, lots of candles and the smell of smoked drinks. It was really buzzing even at 7pm on a Thursday. We tried the toasted old fashioned and the essence of fall, which was a modernist. The toasted old fashioned was delightful. The orange really made it. The essence of fall was a neat presentation with fog enveloping the table once the liquid was added. I liked how it transformed in flavour over time but I did find it rather sweet. Should have stuck with the sailors mojito. So good and lovely presentation always. read more

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Such a fun experience & would definitely come again. This is more a 4.5 but since we can't give 0.5s we'll have to do with a 4. If you're in Toronto this is a must visit for those that like to try all types of cocktails. The more theatrical drinks are around $40, but it is an experience. However the regular drinks (without the theatrical presentation) are around $20, which is actually around the usual price range for good cocktails in Toronto in 2024. We tried .... The Pina Colada...deliciously creamy but clear pina colada served with pina colada sorbet surrounded by a bed of flower petals on ice...this sorbet will not melt bc of all the ice so you can take your time sipping. $40 The Spring Thaw ($42). Once the water hits the dry ice, the scent of spring will flow out and you can enjoy your drink with the scent of lilacs, forest, and citrus. The drink was fruity and floral and easy to drink, but not too memorable. Cafe De Olla ($25). Probably the best espresso martini I've had. The flavour is smoky and complex with the aroma of clove and butterscotch layered in the drink. Frida Kahlo ($24). Coconut infused tequila (loooove this), ginger liqueur, lime leaf infused Lillet, balsam fir bitters, oregano, gentian infused st.germaine. Just a delicious drink overall. We also tried their pork belly skewers, plain fries, and shrimp toast. I don't love how overpriced their food is but the shrimp toast was very good. I believe 2 of the tiny pieces of shrimp toast was $17?? And same as the pork belly they were around the same price. I think that price is really ridiculous. The pork belly skin part is too hard, it should either be made super crispy or very soft but instead it was hard and chewy. Overall a good experience if you're willing to spend. It's also a great place to take ppl visiting from out of town. read more

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Bar Chef is an upscale bar for cocktail lovers. We came on a Friday night and got a seat for two at the bar. The menu is divided into sections, where some cocktails are more elaborate/stronger. They also offer non-alcoholic drinks. The bartenders showcased their craft, creating visually stunning and palate-pleasing drinks; we also appreciated the bartenders sharing their knowledge and passion. read more

This is a fancy cocktails bar, you go here for the experience of the cocktails, some which you get to eat. Management: (1/5 stars) - they charge the credit charge fee -- for a fancy place like this it is unacceptable. If you are charging 50$ for a cocktail, you can afford 75c for the transaction. Your waiters save time not having to give change... It is the cost of doing business. Drinks (3/5 stars) The drinks range from 18-55$. Some are great, some are a hit and a miss Some of them are very simple, others involve cake. - Forager's Boulevardier $21 (5 stars) - great and tasty - Old World $20 (3 stars) - a bit watered down. - Pina Colada $39 (4 stars) - Comes as a sorbet with a drink on the side. Experience is 4. - Vanilla & Hickory Smoked Manhattan $55 (3 stars) - lots of smoke from wood burning, but the taste is nothing special. Forager's Boulevard is much better. Def Not worth the price. - Coffee & Sesame Kaiseki $42 (4.5 stars) - great presentation comes in lots of layers including edible components - Elderflowers & Fougere $39 (3.5 stars) - great presentation, taste was good Ambiance: (5 stars) - cozy atmosphere. - if you pick the right cocktails great experience. Service (4/5 stars) - Friendly staff. - for such a nice place, all items should be coat checked. read more

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Visited BarChef as I have heard nothing but good reviews about this spot. I loved the vibe here as soon as we walked in. BarChef is a cute spot to have a couple beautifully presented drinks. Staff here is very knowledgeable and able to recommend cocktails based on your preferences. Very delicious cocktails and definitely recommend trying them out! read more

BarChef - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This is an incredible bar. You should absolutely check this place out. It's dark inside and has a great vibe. The vibe is complemented with really top notch service behind the bar. Our bartender was the perfect amount of friendly and professional, so we felt extremely comfortable sitting at the bar and getting advice about the menu from him. They've broken their menu into a few sections, and we started off with some cocktails that really showcased the dedication the bartenders here put into their craft (Old world, Viceroy). From there we moved onto the more elaborate cocktails they serve that get prepared in the kitchen. We had the Vanilla & Hickory Smoked Manhattan which spends some time in front of you at the table while the hickory smoke is infused into the drink. The drink is eventually revealed in front of you which is an experience, and I can attest to the very discernible smokeyness that I tasted in that manhattan. The modern cocktails are certainly on the pricey side, but no part of me felt any regret paying for those drinks and the experience when we were leaving. Not to mention we had an absolutely remarkable buzz by the end of our multiple rounds of cocktails, and it was lovely. I would go back here for cocktails in a heartbeat and I think it is definitely a bar that one must visit when in Toronto. read more

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I've always wanted to come here to experience the creative drinks. As we didn't have reservations, we waited about 1 hour for a table on a Thursday night. No problem, we walked down the street and we stopped by another bar to wait. The drinks - definitely a culinary experience. I've never had drinks served like this to me before. The server comes and explains everything to you, however, it is sometimes hard to hear over the loud music. The drinks are strong! It balances out with all the other components of the drink. We had a lot of fun trying out the flavours of the drinks. Service was ok, it was slow but the place was very busy. The music was too loud to casually talk to your friends, you will need to shout. Each drink was around $30~. I would say this is a great experience to come to once, or even showing this place to others to impress. Other than that, I don't think I will return as a regular. read more

BarChef - Pina colada - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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The ambiance as soon as you walk into BarChef is elusive and personal. Groups of people are snuggled into booths, but if you're lucky to sit at the bar, you get the chance to talk to the mixologists. We got to sit right in front of Nick and he was so insightful to the drinks at BarChef and for cocktails in general. We loved talking to Nick and getting his insight on the drinks, after all, he helped designed them! You have to get at least one left the bigger drinks from the Modernist Series, it's what they're known for! The Rose Gold Margarita was the best Margarita I've ever had. I followed it up with The Coa, whose salty rim and hint of Cava provided a fresh taste to tequila. My partner got the Luna Nera which was garnished with a pecan and sage leaf, but the Palo Santo had a Smokey cedar taste and aroma that was unlike anything else! Thanks BarChef for a wonderful evening of drinks! read more

BarChef - The Rose Gold Margarita - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

All too often, cocktail bars blend into one another and become indistinguishable after a few drinks. This is not the case at BarChef. Drinking here feels like an experience, from the flourish of the bartenders to the presentation of the cocktails themselves. For some people the vibe might be a bit intimidating, but the staff are friendly and helpful in navigating the menu. The cocktails look good but most importantly, they also taste good. It hits very hard on the wallet though. Be prepared to pay $40-50 for some of the fancier drinks. And be sure to get a reservation if you're coming on the weekends or you'll be waiting for a while. read more

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- You're never going to drink anything like these specialty cocktails I'd make a recommendation for you, but it's all about personal taste you won't be disappointed in whatever you choose the dirt is not edible you'll understand when you get there - make that resey - music and ambiance was great - nice, dark and dated atmosphere - it is easy to walk by if you're coming at night - food was alright, but it s all about the drinks - shrimp tacos were basic - Brussels were good - truffle fries were regular - sliders were alright - fried chicken was tasty read more

I figured I was long overdue to revisit BarChef after a fairly terrible experience about five years ago. Though we had received some seriously lackluster service on our last visit, I was more than happy to give the place another shot when the opportunity arose this past Friday night. We were only able to make a reservation for 10:00, but the table was ready and waiting when we arrived about 15 minutes early. The ambiance is as irresistible as I remembered, and this time the service was much, much better. I tried a couple of drinks, the Viceroy ("Reposado tequila, cedar infused rye, Amaro Montenegro, celery seed bitters, oregano, sweet vermouth") and the Toasted Old Fashioned ("Canadian whisky, toasted chamomile and saffron bitters, muddled orange zest, maple"), and they were both outstanding. Layers upon layers of flavor in both, to the extent that virtually every sip provided something different. Really outstanding. We also decided to share a plate of the Fries ("Yukon gold, parsley, rosemary aioli"), and we added "truffle + parm" to it. These are some seriously tasty fries. We had actually already eaten mediocre fries earlier in the evening, so it was definitely a relief when these turned out to be delicious (and a good complement to the drinks). I'm definitely glad that we took a chance and ventured back to BarChef. It just goes to show that you shouldn't necessarily judge a place based on one bad experience. read more

Honestly. This is the best, coolest, most amazing bar I've ever been to. Yes, the prices are high but it's totally worth it because the drinks come with a dessert or a whole experience. Get a reservation and enjoy the journey with some friends trying different options on the menu! read more

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It's undeniable you get what you pay for at this super-high-end mixology masterclass. An opulent menu of wallet-busting sensory experiences with more affordable but equally exciting long and short drinks. Our bartender was great, wish the host had been more helpful regarding using the internet to top up our parking. read more

BarChef - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario