“This Must Be The Place” reads the sign above the door. Really? To a first-time visitor, it might not be so obvious why this humble watering hole with bare walls and plain metal stools is one of Canada’s best. The average Joe wouldn’t see all the fancy bar-lab equipment in the back or the co-working space (which will include affordable physiotherapy for hospitality workers) being built upstairs. He or she would, however, figure out fairly quickly that this joint doesn’t have a menu. Freestyle cocktails are the house specialty. Tell the bartenders your choice of spirit and they’ll take you on an exciting ride. Just want a Bud Light? No problem. That complete lack of pretension paired with tremendous talent and community spirit is what makes this bar one of the greats.

TRY: AnythingPhoto: AJ Fernando