Toronto has long been a cocktail hub, with the city's best bars multiplying every year. Nine Toronto cocktail bars made it onto North America's 50 Best Bars list (see the must-order cockails Toronto is known for). This year, the spotlight shone even brighter when Toronto hosted the 2025 Diageo World Class Global Bartender of the Year, where mixologists from 51 countries put their creativity to the test before Norway’s Felice Capasso took home the title.
This fall looks just as spirited. From October 22–26, the Toronto Cocktail Festival will take over the city with pop-ups, tastings and immersive experiences that celebrate mixology as both craft and spectacle. It’s not just for industry insiders either — ticketed events across town will showcase Toronto’s award-winning bartenders, chefs and brand ambassadors in action at some of Toronto's best restaurants and drinking dens.
Now, this fall, cocktail lovers have another reason to raise a glass. From October 22–26, Toronto will host a city-wide celebration of cocktails, with tastings, crawls and seminars that spotlight the bartenders, chefs and spirits shaping the city’s reputation. More than just a festival, it’s a chance to experience why cocktails in Toronto are ranked among the best in North America.
Festival highlights include the glamorous Gala of Cocktails, the citywide Neighbourhood Cocktail Crawl and a five-course Closing Brunch at the Fairmont Royal York. A seminar series and special pop-ups add plenty of discovery along the way, while proceeds support Mind The Bar, a Canadian non-profit dedicated to hospitality mental health. Here’s our pick of the best Toronto cocktail events to check out.
Three unmissable Toronto Cocktail Festival events
Trinity Bellwoods Cocktail Crawl
Thursday, October 23, 4:30–7:30 p.m.
Take a guided sip-and-stroll through Trinity Bellwoods, one of Toronto’s buzziest cocktail neighbourhoods. Start at Cry Baby Gallery before winding your way to two more standout spots, each serving a signature cocktail with a perfectly paired bite. Prefer a different route? The festival also features Ossington and Little Italy crawls, where Toronto’s mixology heavyweights pour at beloved stops like Bar Pompette (#7 on North America’s 50 Best Bars) and hidden gem Suite 115.
Understanding Umeshu at No Vacancy
Thursday, October 23, 5 p.m.
For those ready to sip beyond the standard bar rail, Understanding Umeshu offers a deep dive into Japan’s beloved plum liqueur. Held at Ossington hotspot No Vacancy, the seminar traces the history and versatility of umeshu while showcasing its many personalities in cocktail form. Hosted by Choya’s Shotaro Ozawa and No Vacancy’s Troy Gilchrist, the experience unfolds as a multi-course pairing where inventive Japanese bites meet bold, bright and unexpected umeshu cocktails. It’s an ideal pick for adventurous drinkers looking to expand their knowledge of the cocktails Toronto has to offer.
Closing Cocktail-Paired Brunch at REIGN
Sunday, October 26, 12:30–3 p.m.
Toronto Cocktail Festival wraps up with an elegant brunch at REIGN inside the Fairmont Royal York. Things kick off with a welcome cocktail and bite before rolling into a four-course feast from Chef Roland Torok-Ducharme that gives brunch classics a cheeky upgrade.
Each plate comes with an inventive pour from the award-winning Library Bar team, led by James Grant (2021 World Class Global Bartender of the Year). It’s the perfect send-off for a week of spirited fun — and a reminder that cocktails in Toronto are among the most exciting in North America.
