Event planners are booking these “secret” sophisticated venues for corporate get-togethers, fundraisers, cocktail parties and press conferences.
Toronto’s cocktail scene has plenty of hidden bars and “secret” speakeasies that can be found in the back rooms of barber shops, apothecaries and even bodegas. If you’re planning a VIP night on the town or wish to buy out an entire venue, here are five good ones to consider.
1. Gift Shop, 89 Ossington Ave.
A working barbershop in Toronto’s hip Trinity-Bellwoods hides Gift Shop, a modern cocktail den that operator Mike Lamantia says is loved more for good conversations and connections than speakeasy theatrics.
“We even have a little phrase on our menu: ‘Don't ask for the Wi-Fi. Connect to each other.”
— Mike Lamantia, Gift Shop
Guests first linger among clippers and combs before slipping through a vinyl curtain into an intimate, low-ceilinged room with mirrors and seating for about 25. For private events, the barbershop becomes a setup zone for buffets, karaoke or DJs—bringing total capacity to around 40—while local partners handle catering, from sushi to Greek to pizza.
Part of the Freehouse Collective, Gift Shop hosts corporate functions, private dinners, festival parties and Scotch tastings, all built around classic-inspired drinks and a touch of bartending flair.
Lamantia credits the draw of hidden bars to a craving for unique, intimate experiences: “When you're in this small, dimly lit space with other people, it really does open you up to comfortably connecting with people. That's something we lean into. We even have a little phrase on our menu: ‘Don't ask for the Wi-Fi. Connect to each other.”
2. À TOI, 214 King St. W.
If you drop by Coffee Oysters Champagne (COC) restaurant on King St. West and ask to visit the champagne room, you’ll be escorted to a chic Parisian-inspired hotel lobby bar.
The fictional backstory only adds to the allure: the boutique Hotel à Toi was built in the 1920s by French millionaire Antoine Mercier in honour of his wife Isabel. Sadly, Mercier died suddenly during hotel construction. Was it a heart attack, or something more sinister?
The fictional backstory only adds to the allure: the boutique Hotel à Toi was built in the 1920s by French millionaire Antoine Mercier in honour of his wife Isabel. Sadly, Mercier died suddenly during hotel construction. Was it a heart attack, or something more sinister?
COC l à toi is designed as a layered experience, where two unique spaces coexist under one roof, each infused with the elegance and nostalgia of old-world Paris. Indulge in an extensive cocktail list that includes the Brandy Daisy, made with Hennessy VS Cognac, Strega, Benedictine, lemon, soda and mint, as well as non-alcoholic concoctions, champagne shooters and caviar bumps.
3. Gatsby at The Windsor Arms, 18 St. Thomas St.
You won’t find hidden doors or whispered passwords here, but for groups seeking a polished, speakeasy-style night out in Yorkville, Gatsby at the Windsor Arms delivers the vibe.
First built in 1927 and reimagined from the ground up in 1999, the space marries Roaring Twenties glamour with elevated modern cuisine. The bar is fully stocked and then some—think creative cocktails, local craft brews and an impressive, wide-ranging wine list.
4. Bonne Nuit, 453 Wellington St. W.
Tucked behind La Plume restaurant at The Well, Bonne Nuit is an exclusive speakeasy-style cocktail bar that invites guests to uncover a little late-night intrigue.
With space for up to 50 guests, the intimate room is ideal for conversations, business-friendly drinks, or celebratory group outings.
Bonne Nuit serves an elevated cocktail menu and hosts a live DJ on Friday and Saturday nights. Private events are catered by Oliver & Bonacini, with options ranging from seafood towers to elegant caviar stations.
5. Mahjong Bar, 276 Dundas St. W.
Slip through the hidden entrance behind an unassuming bodega and you’ll land inside Mahjong Bar, a speakeasy washed in colourful, Asian-inspired decor.
The space buzzes with neon signs, vibrant murals and vintage mahjong tiles, setting the stage for cocktails that mix classic technique with bold flavours.
Think a Spiced Tokyo Old Fashioned, Bumbu-spiked Vietnamese iced coffee, or solid zero-ABV options. With dim sum snacks and a Hong Kong street-market vibe, this tucked-away spot feels like its own little world.
Story created in partnership with Ignite Magazine.
