My first time trying a speakeasy in Toronto, I did not know they had so many! This was one of the first ones I tried and it was so cool. When you enter the place, it seems like just another barber shop (they actually have hairdressers here). But when you walk towards the end of the shop, there is a door that takes you into the speakeasy. The speakeasy itself can probably only host 10 customers at one time, so it's pretty small but the aesthetics of the place really take you back to the prohibition era. Their menu was also pretty neat!! The first page or two of the menu are "rules you need to follow", it is very funny to read and really adds your experience there. The owner of the speakeasy was there to greet us and gave us a run down of the menu. We were very sad to hear that unfortunately, the place will be shutting down soon. I tried their lavender cocktail which was served in a teacup that was put on a stand, pretty unique presentation. read more

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10/10 service 10/10 vibes 7/10 cocktail Had a great time. The Negroni was decent, they added some interesting stuff but made it too sweet read more

Stay away from "Mike"! Per Mike, men cannot approach women at this bar because he assumes they feel 'uncomfortable', but if women go up to men it's fine ("gage-able") and he'll judge how the 'vibes are'. Blatant discrimination and sexism at display... which is a shame considering how nice and respectful the young lady working there is. Toronto could be and should be better! read more

I love it here and I love bringing people too. The cocktails are lovely, and unique - with a constant changing menu so you're trying new things all the time. The vibe is quirky and your cups can get so bizarre - great conversation starters but also the appreciation of sourcing from the owner. Highly recommend to visit. It's a small space and hard to get a table, so try and call ahead early in the evening. If you're a liquor enthusiast, I'm pretty sure the owner has all the liquor you could ever imagine somewhere on the shelves. read more

This hidden speakeasy in the back of a barber shop is probably one of my favourite bars I've visited in the city. When you enter the barbershop it doesn't seem as if there's much to expect, but nestled in the back is a cozy speakeasy. The ambiance was incredible. We were able to talk to the bartender and stir up conversations with those around us. The cozy atmosphere made it such an inviting place to grab a drink and mingle. The drinks were also wonderful. Although they didn't look like much to the naked eye, the flavour profiles on both drinks were completely unexpected and unique. Definitely a place to visit! read more

Gift Shop - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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First of all, big hands for the host and server! Very friendly people and made us felt very welcomed. Now to the bartender, magicians hands... delicious drinks! Man in the yellow hat took the cake for me... it somehow left an aftertaste of eating a rich chocolate cake, weird... i still think about this drink randomly :D Last but not least, the vibe of this place, it was immaculate! read more

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Tricky getting in, but worth every effort. The bar is exquisitely decorated & a wide variety of cocktails. Recommend ordering off the menu if you have a favorite drink. The ambience and attention to detail is everything. Hope to be back again! read more

Gift Shop - The vibe - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Located within a barber shop this place is easy to miss if you don't know where to look. The entrance to the barber shop is the main door. We went here to celebrate a friend's birthday who loves a good cocktail. I was a bit sceptical after having read reviews of the "rude" owner and told my friends to keep an open mind and if they hated it we could leave. We went on a Sunday night and there was a sign on the door asking us not to knock and that someone would we there to open the door shortly. There was no number to call or a bell so I wasn't sure how long we'd have to wait in the cold but my friend was able to catch the eye of the bartender and she came opened the door for us. In fact throughout the evening she kept checking the door to let people in so i guess we didn't have to worry about not being seen. We didn't have a reservation but she had a spot available for us and we were seated in 5 mins tops. The note on the door does say to call for reservations between 5pm and 7pm as walk-ins are hard but I think it being Sunday and cold outside helped our case. There were only two other people sitting at the barcounter, the space in very tiny so I get why speaking loudly would annoy the staff. Also I don't think the so called "rude" owner was there when we arrived. The menu is fantastic and by that I mean the design, it's so interestingly done! The cocktails all sounded so interesting, there is even one where a carrot cake in soaked in alcohol to flavour it, this one my friend who tried it said was amazing! The birthday boy first ordered a maple based cocktail that was a hit at the table and then tried one of the highrollers (priced between 50 to 100$$$) and he said it was the best cocktail he has had in his life. High praise indeed! In fact there wasn't even 1 person who didn't rave about there drinks. The glasses they serve drinks in are very cool and custom or vintage so yes please be careful while handing them, they really do make the experience more unique. There was only 1 lady bartender around and the service we received from her was great. Yes they do have some regulars showing up with whom the vibe is different but it didn't affect our evening in any way. The ambience is great and we'd definitely try this place again! read more

The host was super rude and kind of talking down to us when opening the door. We still asked to be added to the wait list and left, they said they would call and they never did. We even got there pretty early (around 7ish) and never received a call back so that was off putting read more

Fantastic speakeasy tucked away behind a dark barbershop with creative and strong drinks. We have fun every time we come here. I still have Filbert the Cat from my first visit! All of the drinks I have ordered have been really tasty and well balanced. We never encountered anything negative here like the other reviews have stated. The staff were always friendly with us and we have always had attentive service from the bartenders. I think I would recommend this place more for couples than for big groups because it is such a small and intimate space. Highly recommend Gift Shop as a staple for any Toronto Speakeasy crawl! read more

read the door sign, follow the house rules and you will have fun . It's a very very small bar, and reservations are a must. No large groups, or you will not get in. They don't sell vodka , but they have an epic whisky list! read more

Woohoo!! Had a great short visit at gift shop on their re-opening day. My friends and I were 30 min late for our reservation but the bar owner (hinc 87) was still super accommodating and made us some smashing fine drinks. Loved the quirky and cute decor - will be back! read more

Gift Shop - a glass of orange juice on a table - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Came around 9pm on a Saturday and saw this sign, considering this is the first time we've ever seen something so out of the ordinary for a bar to write, we never once considered it to be literal until the owner came by after we knocked asking us if we've read this sign (!!?) We simply left in shock with the mindset that if a bar is usually full we would be put on a wait list or any alternative instead of being shown an absurd sign like this. Still in disbelief. read more

Gift Shop - a sign that says full gourmet - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Very cool speakeasy behind the barber shop. Very small, and would recommend coming early. We were there at 8:30 on a Friday and people started having to wait around 9. We sat at a bar and was cool to see the bar tender work. The menu was very cool and the drinks on it switch with the seasons. The drinks were definitely pricey. You will spend at least $20 on a drink after tax and tip. I got the one with Nutella and banana liquor. Would drink this everyday and was an elevated cocoa. Would recommend! read more

Gift Shop - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Nice hidden speakeasy across from bellwoods. Located behind a barbershop which I thought was really cool. Not much to honestly say but we had one bartender taking care of a decent packed service. She was very professional and made great drinks for our small little group. Worth the pricing for the drinks, they do have 100 dollar cocktails which I found it funny cause I wonder who in the right mind would spend that much for a drink but I digress. Ambiance: Nice chill space, great place for a conversation. Very low-key which I think is great. Recommend: surprise it hasn't been rated that highly. Definitely check it out. read more

Gift Shop - a glass of wine on a table - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Dingy little speakeasy with overpriced cocktails, rude staff, and world's most uncomfortable chairs. The cocktails are okay but certainly not worth the price. The decor and set-up was fun. Overall, do not recommend. read more

Since this is a hidden bar it's quite interesting how you'd enter a barber shop not knowing that the bar is inside. The guy (which I assume is the owner) is very nice and lend me their charging cable to charge my phone. Their drinks are pretty good too. The only thing that refrained me from giving them a 5 star was the vibe I got from their bartender. We sat at the bar area so we were directly in front of the bartender, but they seem like they didn't want us to be there and they never tried saying any word to us. However, When some guy came in (not sure if they're a regular), they already greeted them with a smile and spoke to them. The bartender only took our orders and gives me and my friend a side eye everhtime they serve our drink. Normally I would've left the place since we felt uncomfortable, but again, the owner was really nice and approachable and we just wanna focus on our drink and forget about the bartender in front of us. read more

Gift Shop - a vase of flowers and candles - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

One of the most magnificent establishments I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. If you like an incredibly made cocktail and the speakeasy vibe. This is the place to visit. read more

I have to concur with the other reviewers' gripes about the owner. Me and my friend didn't know our way around the establishment and innocently opened the back door thinking that was the main entrance. What "greeted" us was a redfaced and belligerent Englishman who basically yelled at us for trespassing on private property. Way to develop goodwill with new customers. Maybe next time don't leave the non-entrance door unlocked and also maybe behave like a normal person when someone mistakes it for the way in. read more

Small little dark bar tucked behind a barber shop. Tons of whisky and some strong cocktails. No fruity girly drinks here!

Such a cool spot and such a good cocktail!! This is a tiny, quirky bar behind a hair salon (no idea if it's functional or not). I had a very creative cocktail, called 'let's get figgy wiggy with it' with a base of peach/fig bourbon, plus peanut butter syrup and some sour beer. Shockingly, it worked great - so delicious. Also, it came with an entire sleeve of Reese's peanut butter cups, just sitting on top of the cup. BONUS YUM. I was here after midnight on a Thursday and we sat easily at the bar but it's a small spot so probably very busy on weekends. Definitely worth coming here, the cocktail was amazing and great value. read more

Another bartender recommended Gift Shop. Outstanding....2 days later I tried to get in but they were full. Still give them 5 stars. It's that good!! read more

What can we say......the coolest spot. Music background was ideal.....thanks for the 80's. Great drinks and perfect for a laid back vibe. See you again soon read more

Gift Shop - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

A hidden gem on Ossington! There is a great menu of highly intriguing cocktails, and the staff are able to whip up most of the traditional cocktails easily. The only downside is the small area, so keep this in mind if you are in a large group. read more

Gift Shop - Cocktails! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Weird. I would have expected more reviews here since this place is constantly packed the dozen or so times I've been here. The bartender H is wonderful and the drinks are strong and beautiful to look at. I love this place and bring all my friends here. Suggestions: if the taste of alcohol is not your favorite, order the sweeter drinks. Super boozy but easy to drink. Also, don't walk in directly to the bar. They have a small capacity at the back and normaly you'll get shooed out to place your name in line for a seat. read more

Grew up in Toronto all my life and felt so proud to say that I had never experienced racism in this city until I came to the Gift Shop Bar on Ossington last night. A bit about the place: it's set up like an illicit speakeasy from the Prohibition era - the staffing, decor and menu allude to that. The English owner/bartender treated me like I was a piece of crap: he specifically instructed me to be gentler with the cocktail glasses that I, according to him, obviously cannot afford to replace (he kept repeating they were worth $150) and numerous times suggested I keep a lower profile and speak quietly in the establishment; all the while several other White patrons were laughing and conversing loudly. He did not instruct other patrons on how to hold their glassware, and he sure as hell did not tell them how precious they cost. Nor did he wave his fingers at anyone else's face or watch them as intently. I am Filipino. Aside from this fact I could see no other reason why he targeted me from the moment I stepped in- he literally surveilled me and ensured I was aware I had bounds in that space. To be honest, I'm the last person to assume that when someone is being an asshole it means they are racist. Something, however, felt extremely off and wrong about the way he chose to treat me; call it intuition, or something like it, but I have never felt the colour of my skin more deeply than I did last night. It's one thing to have a poorly run joint - but this takes the cake as one of the vilest, cruelest places I've ever been to and it does not belong in a great, diverse city like Toronto. I left feeling extremely belittled, and am shaking thinking about it now. I do not recommend this place to my worst enemy. I had a look at their Google reviews and it seems like I'm not the first person to have felt that way in this racist den. Please do not support establishments like this. The owner has taken the idea of a throwback to a past time way too far. read more

The manager maybe owner actually yelled at us for trying to enter his establishment with 5 people as if that amount was an insult.

Honestly shocked at the hostile, rude, and unhinged behaviour of the staff (manager? owner?). We tried to come here with a couple of friends and we were SCREAMED at by one of the staff immediately after entering. This was a completely irrational and confusing reaction to the situation, but from what I'm reading in other reviews, it seems like this is quite a common way for them to treat people. Three of my girls and I wanted to grab a drink before our dinner reservation across the street, we didn't have a reservation here but thought we'd see if they had room and no worries if not. We saw a sign out front saying to wait by the door until it was opened for you from the inside. So, we waited patiently for about 15 minutes until a man came out and held the door open for us...we assumed he worked there based on the way he held the door, ushered us in, and wished us a good night. We fully thought we had respected and followed the rules they posted on the door, however, we hardly took one step inside the bar area when a large man came barging over to us screaming at us to leave, yelling "NO NOPE, GO, LEAVE" and asking "CAN'T YOU READ?". He was yelling that we had to wait to be let in and they were so full. We were so startled by him and we immediately turned and left without saying anything back to him except to apologize HOWEVER, he continued to yell at us the entire way out and even continued once we were outside. We tried to apologize once we were outside and explain that we THOUGHT we had done as the sign said...we waited outside to be let in from the inside. This man spoke over us the entire time, yelling in the rudest manner and waving his hand in our face. I've never experienced anything like this anywhere else, we stopped trying to engage with him quickly and left. Such an extreme reaction for three potential customers barely even stepping inside the bar was insane (actually only one of us even made it into the bar area at all...). You would think that we were some large group, yelling and disturbing everyone, or that we had sat ourselves or something. After that experience, I cannot understand how they have any positive reviews, because not only was I shocked that they would treat potential customers this way, but it was honestly a disgusting way for anyone to interact with another human - complete disrespect. read more

One of the coolest cocktail bars I've ever been to. Service was amazing and the cocktails were truly unique and delicious - the Let's Get Figgy With It has peanut butter syrup (whaaaat?!?) and gets served with a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup on the side. Love this place and will definitely recommend to anyone wanting a unique experience in Toronto. read more

Cool ambience. Limited seating, cocktails were average at best. Civil Liberties on Bloor West is a lot better

Cool little place hidden behind a barbershop (is it a real shop? TBD). Careful not to enter as you are required to put your name/number down and wait till there is space for your party. There is this wonderful, over the top, kind of intimidating and a bit crazy owner/bartender straight out of a Guy Ritchie film. I can see him aggravating some people but he means well and cares deeply about his drinks and his bar. read more

Never have I felt so uncomfortable at a bar. The female server was lovely and kind, but I have such a bitter taste in my mouth from the English bartender. When my friend and myself arrived, we told the hostess we were a table of 3, and she sat us. When the third member of our group arrived a little bit after, the bartender got upset with us claiming we did not tell him there were 3 of us. He was blatantly rude about it, and kept making little comments like "come on guys, you need to tell me this"! We then proceeded to watch him be just as rude to the people at the table beside us when they asked for a classic drink suggestion that was not on the menu. Not only that, you could also smell his fruity scented Juul vape coming from the barber shop! He makes decent 20 dollar drinks, but his attitude is not worth the cost or the discomfort that he brings to customers. Looking at other reviews, I can see we are not the only ones who have had a bad experience with him. read more