23 Canadian bars ranked among the best in North America and each one's swankier than the last
If you're looking for the best bars in Canada, the newly released 2025 list of North America's 50 Best Bars — plus its inaugural 51–100 extension — is basically your ultimate Canadian bar crawl bucket list.
The annual ranking, which was unveiled at a live awards ceremony in Vancouver on Tuesday, spotlights standout bars from across Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. This year, Canadian bars crushed it, snagging 23 spots in total in the top 100 — including nine from Toronto, five each in Vancouver and Montreal, three from Calgary and one in Victoria.
According to the team behind the ranking, the expanded 51–100 list — a first for the region — is meant to shine a brighter light on more incredible cocktail destinations from coast to coast to coast.
Voted on by over 300 bar industry pros and cocktail experts, these rankings celebrate everything from wild ingredient experimentation and old-school hospitality to deep community roots.
So if you've ever wondered where to find a world-class martini in Toronto or sip a next-level smoky Paloma in Montreal, you're in the right place.
Before diving into the top 50 bars, here's a look at the 15 Canadian spots that earned a place on the extended list for 2025:
- Shelter — Calgary (#99)
- Slice of Life — Toronto (#96)
- Meo — Vancouver (#92)
- The Coldroom — Montreal (#91)
- Bar Bello — Montreal (#84)
- Simpl Things — Toronto (#83)
- Bar Bisou Bisou — Montreal (#75)
- Humboldt Bar — Victoria (#69)
- Cry Baby Gallery — Toronto (#68)
- Laowai — Vancouver (#67)
- Proof — Calgary (#58)
- Civil Works — Toronto (#55)
- Prophecy — Vancouver (#53)
- Missy's — Calgary (#52)
- Library Bar — Toronto (#51)
Now, let's get into the eight bars that made the official top 50 — including Canada's highest-ranked bar and a few returning favourites.
Mother (Toronto)
Rank: #44
Address: 874 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON
Why it stands out: According to 50 Best, Mother stands out for its wild creativity and focus on fermentation. Located in Toronto's trendy Trinity-Bellwoods neighbourhood, the bar crafts unique drinks using funky, house-made ingredients from its own cellar "fermentorium." Reviewers were especially impressed by cocktails inspired by everything from caprese salads to sci-fi films, like a truffle croissant whisky blend and a no-proof cocoa butter "spirit." With candlelit vibes and a funky soundtrack, it's a go-to for drink lovers who want something truly original.
Bar Mordecai (Toronto)
Rank: #37
Address: 1272 Dundas St. W., Toronto, ON
Why it stands out: Bar Mordecai turns heads with its Wes Anderson-style charm and neon-lit basement karaoke rooms, but it's more than just a pretty face. The ranking recognized this Toronto hotspot for its fun, flavour-packed cocktails and deep commitment to community. Bartender-owner Christina Veira has made the space a hub for events supporting women, people of colour and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. From glittery drinks like the "Content Creator" to shareable plates like sea bream crudo, it's a vibe that delivers.
Atwater Cocktail Club (Montreal)
Rank: #36
Address: 512 Av. Atwater, Montreal, QC
Why it stands out: Tucked at the end of a graffiti-covered alley in Montreal, Atwater Cocktail Club is as much about the entrance drama as it is about the drinks. 50 Best praised its moody-glam decor, thoughtful service and director Kate Boushel — who snagged the ranking's "Bartenders' Bartender Award" last year. The cocktail menu keeps things approachable while delivering major technique behind the scenes, with standouts like the "40 Thieves," a bold mix of Canadian rye, tahini and pineapple. Add in French brasserie eats from its sister spot Foiegwa, and it's easy to see why there's always a lineup.
Cloakroom (Montreal)
Rank: #31
Address: 2175 Rue de la Montagne #100, Montreal, QC
Why it stands out: Cloakroom is the kind of bar you have to know about to find — literally. Hidden beside a tailor shop in Montreal's Golden Square Mile, this 25-seat speakeasy earned a nod from North America's 50 Best Bars for its personalized, no-menu approach. Guests chat with the bartender about their preferences and get a custom cocktail crafted on the spot, using everything from rare bourbons to bitter amaro. It's low-key, luxe and built for people who love a surprise in their glass.
Cloakroom website
The Keefer Bar (Vancouver)
Rank: #28
Address: 135 Keefer St., Vancouver, BC
Why it stands out: The Keefer Bar is a longtime favourite in Vancouver's Chinatown, according to the ranking — and it wears that location with pride. The bar draws inspiration from old-school apothecaries, crafting cocktails that nod to medicinal remedies with a creative, modern twist. Signature drinks like "the Antidote" and "No Good Deed" mix local spirits with ingredients like yuzu sake and traditional Chinese herbal remedies. With dim sum snacks, a killer happy hour and a moody, historic setting, Keefer blends old and new in the best way.
Botanist Bar (Vancouver)
Rank: #26
Address: 1038 Canada Pl., Vancouver, BC
Why it stands out: At Botanist Bar in Vancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel, the drinks are as much about storytelling as they are about sipping. 50 Best praised its fusion of nature and science, where local ingredients meet high-tech tools like rotary evaporators to create seriously creative cocktails. Whether it's a chive oil–laced "Marine Martini" or a spirit-free mix with candy cap mushrooms, every drink feels like a love letter to the Pacific Northwest.
Botanist Bar website
Civil Liberties (Toronto)
Rank: #21
Address: 878 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON
Why it stands out: Civil Liberties keeps things refreshingly unpretentious — and that's exactly why it landed the second-place Canadian spot on the list. Marked only by a glowing pineapple and a cheeky "This must be the place" sign, this Toronto bar is all about warm vibes and personal service. There's no menu, so guests are encouraged to ask questions and trust the team to craft something unique based on their tastes. Whether you're sipping a budget-friendly beer or a custom cocktail with a rare amaro, the motto here is clear: kindness over cool.
Bar Pompette (Toronto)
Rank: #7
Address: 607 College St., Toronto, ON
Why it stands out: Named both Canada's best bar and the 2025 winner of the Art of Hospitality Award, Bar Pompette isn't just a Toronto favourite — it's a national standout, according to 50 Best. This Little Italy gem blends a cozy French bistro vibe with a hyper-local cocktail menu that shifts with the seasons. With ingredients foraged and farmed across Ontario, drinks like the pickle-spiked Cornichon and the smoky Paloma Quemada are as creative as they are grounded in terroir. It's walk-in only, endlessly charming and full of fleeting flavours you won't want to miss.
Happy bar hopping, Canada!
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