Craft beer is the fastest growing segment of the LCBO going up by almost 30 percent and $290 million in revenue since 2014. Here is a countdown of the top-rated (award-winning) craft bars in the downtown Toronto area.
#5 Tallboys, 838 Bloor St. W. With over 70 craft beers exclusively from Toronto and right on Bloor Streetby Ozzinginton station. This is a relatively new bar, only three years old. It is the fourth-ranked bar on the Before Last Call blog. (PHOTO COURTESY TALLBOYS)
#4 C’est What, 67 Front St. Since 1988 they have served local craft beers. With 42 drafts and located in a old cellar to make you feel like your drinking in a time machine to 19th century. With pool tables and good food, it’s the second-ranked craft beer bar on the Before Last Call blog. (PHOTO COURTESY C'EST WHAT)
#3 Bar Hop, 391 King St. W. Three-time winner of best draft selection and two-time winner best staff in the Golden Tap awards, Bar Hop is a prime spot for craft beer. They now have two locations and are continuing their reputation of good selection and staff. (PHOTO COURTESY BAR HOP)
#2 Bar Volo, 587 Yonge St. Opened in 1985, and grew into one of the main craft beer spots in Toronto. It features 26 rotating local beers on an alphabet system where the beer is associated with a letter. It has won best bar for packaged beer selection and best cask ale in the Golden Taps awards and highest voted bar in Before Last Call blog. (PHOTO COURTESY BAR VOLO)
#1 Bellwoods Brewery. Now magazine voted it 2015 best gastropub in Toronto. It’s on the list of top 100 brewers in the world and Golden Taps best brewpub in 2014. Bellwoods opened in 2012 and has become one of the most unique and attractive brew pubs in Canada, being voted most innovative bar by Golden Taps. (PHOTO COURTESY BELLWOODS BREWERY)