TOKI is a moody Yorkville listening bar made for after-dinner nightcaps

In a neighbourhood that rarely slows down, Toki — a new Toronto bar hidden behind a heavy maroon curtain, tucked toward the back of Tono by Akira Back inside the W Toronto — offers a rare opportunity to pause, lean in and get lost in the groove.

Toki Listening Bar is a deliberate antithesis to the usual city chaos. The sound here welcomes you, inviting you to actually listen rather than letting competitive noise dominate your entire night. This Japanese-inspired sanctuary operates on the philosophy of its namesake, toki, the Japanese word for time.

Stepping inside feels like entering a mid-century Tokyo jazz kissa. The lighting is moody, while pops of red and neon signs bring a modern touch to the space. The room is compact, with velvet couches that I could truly lounge on for hours, spanning back past where the DJ spins vinyl. Shelves line the walls here and there, leading to another secluded sitting area and the bar. I notice the curved ceilings, which improve acoustics by controlling sound reflections. Every element anchors guests in the present, inviting you to sit, sip a while and listen.

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While the needle on the record provides the soul of the room, the drinks menu serves as its pulse. The bar embraces the precision of Japanese hospitality through a dedicated Suntory Toki machine, the first in Canada and a technical marvel that produces a super-carbonated, ice-cold highballs crisp enough to cleanse the palate between tracks.

The menu features three thoughtful categories: "Fruity Expressions," "Foundations" and "Umami Layers." If you’re after a hint of sweetness that tastes natural rather than artificial — a sophisticated drink that skips the sticky sweetness of bubblegum pop — the Green Samurai is well worth a try. It’s a balanced blend of Toki whisky, Fino sherry, melon liqueur, aloe and citrus. If you’re craving a cocktail with a savoury depth, the Sōya Harbor would be my pick for you. A mix of shiso-infused Roku gin, lillet and sake, it’s the kind of drink that stays stuck in your head just like a favourite song.

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There is something to be said about how the act of listening to vinyl forces you to slow down, literally. You cannot hit shuffle or skip a song easily, making the experience more about the music as a whole rather than trending snippets. It’s the space to head after dinner, when the conversation hasn't faded out just yet, but you’re ready to let the soundscape take over. Order another round, lean back and let time slip away.