So Many Toronto Bars & Restos Are Shutting Down After COVID-19 Exposures

If you're wondering who stole your holiday dinner at your favourite local restaurant this year, COVID-19 is to blame.

A handful of Toronto restaurants and bars are closing their doors for the holiday season due to COVID-19 exposures, and even more are temporarily closing out of precaution as COVID-19 cases rise.

La Palma, Bovine Sex Club, Bar Isabel, and holiday pop-up bar Miracle Toronto have all closed due to COVID-19 exposures or close contact within the last few days.

La Palma announced its closure on Instagram on Monday, writing "like so many others in Toronto, we will be temporarily closed starting today as a result of Covid exposure. We will reopen once it is safe to do so for both our staff and our guests."

Bovine Sex Club, a live music venue and bar, also took to Instagram Monday to let guests know they will be closed for the week "due to close contact protocol."

A staff member at Bar Isabel tested positive for COVID-19, according to an Instagram post from December 20, and the Spanish restaurant will be closed until "further notice."

In its statement, the restaurant said the employee last worked at the venue on December 16 and apologized for any inconvenience.

If you were looking to hit up a holiday-themed pop-up bar before Christmas, your options just became more limited.

Miracle Toronto revealed on Instagram that one of its staff members tested positive for COVID-19 and that the bar will be closed until "further notice." In an updated post, however, the bar announced it would be closing for the season.

In its original statement, Miracle Toronto shared that the employee last worked on December 18 and encouraged anyone who joined them over the weekend to be cautious and get tested if possible.