Happy hour in Toronto: how it works in Ontario and where to go

Happy hour is a big part of Toronto's after-work life, from oysters and cocktails in the Financial District to cheap pints and wings in the Annex. Ontario has its own rules about drink pricing and advertising, so Toronto happy hours look a little different from those in some other places. Here is what to know.

Is happy hour legal in Ontario?

Yes. Ontario lets licensed bars and restaurants change drink prices during the day, as long as they stay above the minimum prices set by provincial regulation. For years, Ontario restricted how drink specials could be advertised, including use of the phrase "happy hour"; that restriction has since been lifted. Minimum prices still apply at all times, so specials cannot go below the provincial floor.

What is a typical happy hour in Toronto?

• Afternoon happy hour, often from around 3 or 4 p.m. to 6 or 7 p.m., aimed at after-work crowds.
• Late-night specials at some bars after 9 or 10 p.m.
• Drink deals on draft beer, house wine, selected cocktails and sometimes oysters.
• Food specials, such as wings, sliders, fries, tacos or half-price appetizers.

Many places run specials only on weekdays, and some only at the bar or on the patio.

Where are the best happy hours in Toronto?

Area	What to expect
The Financial District	After-work crowds, oysters and cocktails
King Street West	Stylish bars and restaurants with bar menus
The Annex and Koreatown	Cheap pints and student-friendly specials
Ossington and Dundas West	Cocktail and wine bars, some with early specials
Leslieville	Neighbourhood bars and wine bars
The Danforth	Patios and Greek bar snacks

Happy hour menus change often, so check current details before you go.

What is the drinking age in Ontario?

The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19. Bars and restaurants may ask anyone who looks young for government-issued photo ID.

How do tax and tipping work on drinks in Toronto?

Drinks in Ontario bars and restaurants carry the 13 percent HST on top of the menu price. Tip as you would at any time: 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax amount at table service, or a dollar or two per drink at the bar. Some people tip on what the bill would have been at full price during happy hour, which staff appreciate, but it is not expected.

How do you make the most of happy hour in Toronto?

1. Check days and times, since many deals are weekday-only.
2. Sit in the right area, as some specials apply only at the bar or on the patio.
3. Order food early, since popular specials can run out.
4. Ask about non-alcoholic options, which more bars now offer.
5. Plan your way home. Ontario's impaired driving penalties are strict; use the TTC, a taxi or ride-hailing.

Is happy hour a good way to try an expensive restaurant?

Yes. Many of Toronto's pricier restaurants run happy hours in their bar or lounge with smaller plates from the main menu. It is a low-cost way to decide whether a full dinner is worth it.

Can you buy alcohol to take home in Ontario?

Yes, from the LCBO (the provincial liquor retailer), The Beer Store, and a growing number of grocery and convenience stores that are now allowed to sell beer, wine and ready-to-drink cocktails. Rules and hours vary by store type. Some licensed restaurants can also sell alcohol with takeout food orders.

What Ontario drinks should you try in Toronto?

Ontario has a strong craft beer scene, and many Toronto bars pour local beer from brewers across the province. Ontario wine from the Niagara region and Prince Edward County is widely available, including ice wine, a sweet dessert wine made from grapes frozen on the vine. Ask the bartender for something local; it is often the most interesting thing on the list.

What should you know about Ontario wine?

Ontario makes a lot of wine, and Toronto restaurants often feature it, especially from the Niagara Peninsula and Prince Edward County. A few things to look for:

• Riesling and Chardonnay, among the region's strongest whites.
• Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir, lighter reds that suit food.
• Icewine, a sweet dessert wine made from grapes frozen on the vine, a Canadian speciality.
• VQA on the label, which indicates wine made from Ontario-grown grapes under the province's quality standard.

Ask your server for a local glass. Many wine lists keep an Ontario section, and staff are usually happy to recommend one.

What about drinking in parks?

Toronto has allowed alcohol consumption in some designated parks under a city program. Rules can change, so check the city's current list and conditions before you bring drinks to a park.

On Mosey you can rate the places you visit and the dishes you order, with photos, and keep a list of happy hours worth going back to. Seeing where people actually went helps you find the specials that are genuinely good.

More guides to read next:

• Mississauga and Brampton food guide: Punjabi, Pakistani and Caribbean food in Peel Region
• Hot pot and Sichuan food in Toronto: how to order and where to go
• How to get a table at a busy Toronto restaurant

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.