Settle in to catch summer vibes at these breezy Queen Street West patios perfect for day or night.
Summer is here and patio hangs are easily a favourite warm weather pastime for me. Queen Street West is one of Toronto’s prized neighbourhoods when it comes to shopping and people watching, so it should come as no surprise that many of us locals have a few favourite Queen West patios.
Fun, funky or trendy, there’s a Queen West patio for every taste. Here are 20 worth discovering.
Queen West Patio #1: Bar’kada for delectable cocktails
Hit up Bar’kada for stellar cocktails and a fusion menu featuring Filipino dishes like lumpia and biltong. For those boozy brunch hangs with your own Bar’kada (it means ‘group of friends’), they also have a daily brunch menu that pairs well with cocktails like Tita’s Paloma. They have a cute back patio if you don’t want to chill in the front with the live DJ!
Queen West Patio #2: Rex Jazz and Blues for music lovers
Rex Jazz and Blues bar has a patio where you can enjoy brews and nibbles accompanied by live music. Toronto’s longest running jazz club hosts bands on their patio on occasional weekend evenings. Harry Connick Jr. and Pete McCann are just two of the famous musicians who have played at this intimate lounge.
Queen West Patio #3: Squirly’s for a dive bar fix
Say what you will but we all secretly love a good dive bar! Squirly’s has been around for over three decades, and their back patio, decorated with street art, is a refuge on those hot summer days. Perogies and craft beer are a standard order here, no matter the season. They even have a garage-esque portion of the patio for that classic sticky floor experience to round off your visit.
Queen West Patio #4: The Dime on Queen for budget-friendly hangouts
Exploring trendy Queen Street West doesn’t have to poke a hole through your wallet. The Dime on Queen is a penny pincher’s delight with good eats and decent drinks under $8. Ambience-wise you can expect loud tunes and high energy levels: think cheap, loud and fun! Can’t go wrong if you’re sticking to a budget in downtown Toronto.
Queen West Patio #5: Fonda Lola for bistro delights
If you’re looking to mix things up, consider Mexican bistro Fonda Lola. Request a back patio table and transport yourself to a lush oasis. Tacos and churros are go-to options and of course, their house-crafted cocktail menu (especially the smoked ones) are not only pretty but also palatable.
Queen West Patio #6: Tiki Bar Toronto for rooftop views
Hanging out at a Toronto sky bar screams summertime—the sun is shining, you’re wearing your best shades and are surrounded by beautiful friends. Swing by Tiki Bar Toronto, located on the rooftop of the Bovine Sex Club music venue. Classic tiki cocktails served in Instagram-worthy vessels can be paired with eclectic eats. It’s easy to pretend you’re at a tropical beach when you’re hanging in the sky here.
Queen West Patio #7: Bar Piquette for European vibes
If you want to relive your last European vacation, Bar Piquette is a great option. Sit down to great mortadella or oysters and ask your server to suggest a wine pairing. (Their reccos are always fab!) Bar Piquette has a hidden back patio that provides respite on scorching hot or rainy days.
Queen West Patio #8: Queen Mother Cafe for retro vibes
A Queen West fixture since 1978, this cozy cafe reflects the artsy, eclectic vibe that pre-dates the commercial strip’s gentrification. The Queen Mother’s mellow back patio is the perfect place to catch up with friends over coffee, cake or their burgers-meet-Asian menu.
Queen West Patio #9: Hugs & Sarcasm for a proper fry up
Worked up an appetite looking for the white squirrel(s) of Trinity Bellwoods Park? Refuel with a hearty English fry up or Irish breakfast roll at Hugs & Sarcasm. At $20, their Thursday Fish-&-Chips-and-a-pint special is one of the city’s best deals, ideally enjoyed on their patio.
Queen West Patio #10: Cafe 23 for a dog-friendly coffee break
Cafe 23’s back patio gives off Tulum jungle vibes with its verdant greenery, straw pendants and capiz shell chandeliers. A stone’s throw from Trinity Bellwoods, this coffee bar is a dog-friendly oasis for pet parents seeking refreshments after visiting the park’s leash-free ravine.
Queen West Patio #11: Three Monks And a Duck for Asian snacks & cocktails
With its neon, night market vibes, Three Monks And A Duck is the place to go for inspired Asian bites and inventive cocktails enjoyed on a secret, wisteria-covered patio. Vegetarians and vegans will have mega options since this cool hotspot’s menu skews plant forward.
Queen West Patio #12: Java House for student eats
A beacon to budget travelers and students since the 1990s, Java House has a bustling patio where you can people-watch into the wee hours (3 a.m. to be precise). While the patio isn’t the city’s most stylish, it gets the job done as you nosh on an eclectic—and affordable–menu of global comfort foods and no-frills booze.
Queen West Patio #14: Noce for Italian classics
A landmark sitting kitty corner from Trinity Bellwoods Park, Noce offers up aperitivo, dinner and dessert in a charming covered patio. Wood-fire cooking is their speciality, from flame-kissed cuts of meat to beautifully blistered pizza.
Queen West Patio #15: Terroni for family get-togethers
The original location of a popular local chain, Terroni on Queen serves Italian cuisine with a southern accent (think: Puglia and Campania). Its expansive back patio is breezy and spacious enough for big get-togethers, so make this your go-to for fam jams or an afterwork cinq à sept.
Queen West Patio #16: Peter Pan for rooftop breezes
With its seasonal French-inspired cuisine and extensive regional-meets-global wine list, Peter Pan is a must for foodies hungry for a special alfresco meal. This iconic Queen West bistro has two patios to choose from: one streetside and one on its rooftop terrace.
Queen West Patio #17: Drake Sky Yard for ’grammable backdrops
The Drake Hotel helped put Parkdale on the map for international hipsters, and the boutique hotel’s rooftop Sky Yard won’t disappoint if immersive art, DJs and skyline views are what you seek. The current theme: La Dolce Vita. Say “cin cin” with negroni in hand on a sun-kissed, lemon-tree bedecked terrace that’s decorated with mirrored disco-ball fruit.
Queen West Patio #18: Warehouse Queen St for party vibes
Get the party started at Warehouse Queen St, where the mood is light, the music is loud, and the menu is cheap and cheerful. All food items are sub-$11, while cocktails average under $10. The “premium dive bar” boasts a bustling, streetside patio.
Queen West Patio #19: The Rhino Bar & Grill for sunny days
Sure, it’s exposed to the elements but the Rhino’s humongous beer garden is a Parkdale institution (just pack a hat). With 25 craft beers on tap and a killer vegan-friendly brunch menu, this classic Queen West hangout is located in a heritage building at the western end of the strip.
Queen West Patio #20: Food & Liquor for the essentials
Located in the heart of Parkdale’s Little Tibet, Food & Liquor is a low-key neighbourhood bar with a kitchen that stays open until 2 a.m. Nibble on Asian-inspired bar foods like black honey vinegar potatoes and cheese fried rice as you sip local craft beers at a picnic table on their low-key patio.
