Toronto Temperance Society

Reasonably priced food with a bartender that will engage you and get a feel of what you like. An alright patio in the summer and a great vibe even when not busy. I totally recommend you try to come to this bar if you’d like to get a top knotch cocktail.

Once you wade through a thick cloud of pretension, through the secret door and up the secret stairs, you will find the TTC. This is a high quality bar that takes their cocktails very seriously. Nice spot. Mind wasn’t blown. Maybe it’s not for my demographic.

I will preface this by saying we went early on a Wednesday night, so maybe that’s why we had a lacklustre experience? Doubtful.
My girlfriend made a reservation for my birthday at this «exclusive» bar. It was insinuated that this was a preliminary opportunity to see if we wanted to continue with the process of becoming a «member». Ok. Fine.
I was particularly excited about the whiskey list, which was nice. (However, if you’re into whiskey see: Caledonian). I asked the bartender for a recommendation, mentioning my preferences. He recommended the Dalwhinnie 15 yr, which gave me pause. I mentioned I may have tried it before and didn’t like it. He said the 15 year was great so I gave it a go. Upon first taste, my memories came flooding back. And yes, I didn’t like this whiskey. On to the mixed drink. As a chaser to my whiskey, I ordered a Clark… Gable? It was so forgettable that I don’t particularly remember the name. It did have whiskey and cardamom, which was nice. We also ordered the Derby… I think. It was also pretty forgettable.
The only explanation to me for this bar’s high reviews is it’s exclusivity. I think people are hypnotized and potentially arrogant about their access to this place. This deludes them into tasting better drinks than are served. I’ll mention that the cocktails are not bad. They just don’t blow your mind and aren’t extraordinarily unique or complex. And they certainly do not justify a monthly fee.
For the food, we had «Miami» ribs, roasted cauliflower and pork belly. Good good good. But… then came dessert. Holy awful. The tiramisu was a mound of unsweetened cream. Where were my crunchy lady fingers?
They did not mention anything about a membership to us, which is fine by me because we won’t be back. I think in theory this bar is a great idea. It just all around lacks execution.

Had the penicillin and a Macallan neat, both drinks were presented very well. This exclusive bar is a interesting place to check out but needing to have a membership kind of takes away from its appeal.

It is, as others say, quite amazing. I finally understand the difference between a painstakingly made cocktail and a cocktail. I had a Negroni and my friend had whisky sour. I enjoyed my drink immensely. The ambiance is a little dark, old school, and the service very relaxed and pleasant, despite the «secret club» thing they’re going for. So, honestly, I am not sure why I’m giving it four stars, just somehow it didn’t reach my exulted status. I would certainly recommend it if you’re willing to pay a little extra and find a way to get in. Is it worth a membership? I wouldn’t.

This is my favourite bar in Toronto. The bartenders and staff are very knowledgeable about liquors, and can make very on-​point recommendations. They make a good cocktail, too.
I love the speakeasy décor, and the food is great too. Get the cheese plate while you’re here.

I have been a member for a couple months. I love a good cocktail and Oliver & Robin are great bartenders. They are committed to qualify and have an excellent knowledge.
The food from Sidecar is really well priced and I enjoy the ambience. Steak frite was good as was pasta bolagnese.
Glad I joined!

TTS is awesome. I’m sitting at the bar as I write this, having finished an excellent dinner with some fantastic cocktails (Tommy’s Margaritas are delicious). The staff is awesome, love speak easy décor and the 3 piece jazz band playing behind is pretty sweet. Perhaps it’s the booze selecting, but I give this place a full 5 stars.

A speakeasy style cocktail bar done right is what you’ll find of you’re lucky enough to know the right people and get in. Robin, the head Barman is very talented and knows how to make good proper drinks. The atmosphere is nice and relaxed and the décor brings you into the old world of cocktail bars while maintaining new world service standards. Definitely wanting to buy a membership there and become a regular. Get in if you can, it’s an experience.

One of my friends has a membership to the TTS and I take FULL advantage of it. If you have a friend with one, or can manage a way to get an upgrade from Sidecar to the TTS — Do. It.
The last time we were there, it was exceptionally busy and bustling. This time however, we were the only group in there for the entire night (mind you, it being St. Patrick’s Day probably had something to do with it.) Regardless, our bartender Robin was very knowledgeable and helpful and had great drink suggestions. We also ordered dinner from Sidecar and it was ah-​mazing. I would definitely recommend using the prix fixe option. My steak was cooked to perfection and had a delicious crust.
We had a wide array of drinks ordered throughout the evening, but my favorite was (and still is) the Heart of Glass.
One of Toronto’s best-​kept secrets!

This place is a little tricky to get into but I did some calling and got an invite. What a cool location.
The bar is stocked with rare and vintage goodies. The bartenders will amazing you with their skill and knowledge.
I didn’t have a drink I didn’t like and my friends had the exact custom cocktail they were looking for. Bravo.

The quality of the cocktails, period atmosphere and top notch service has made this place my favorite go-​to. The only downside is that it ruins all of the lesser places around town!

The bartender at the hotel I was staying at gave me a card to this place and told me to ask for Robin. It was a Saturday night around 1am and I just had a couple of beers with a few friends and decided to come here since it was a few blocks away. I’m walking and see the restaurant sidecar and 2 black doors to the left. The restaurant was closed, I ring the bell to the door on the left and ask for Robin, he says no one here is by this name. I’m just thinking… ugh and light up a cigarette. Seconds later a guy opens the door to the other black door and lets this other guy in, I immediately ask if there was a Robin there and he kinda grunts «Yes, but I’m gonna get into so much trouble… but come in anyway!»
I head up stairs and occupy an empty bar stool. I finally meet Robin, bar tending behind the bar. I order a ramos gin fizz and look around as I wait. Definitely speakeasy vibe, stocked bar with ices, garnishes and glasses. The space is small, maybe twenty people allowance. There was also a piano and a few tables. It was a little rowdy that night, a small group of people at a table getting plastered. My ramos came… it was perfectly balanced, tart and sweet. Next up I order a old fashioned, it was great as well. And lastly I order a mint julep… I have to say, this is the best I’ve ever had! By this time it was already 3am, bars close here at 2am, time to head back to the hotel.
The next night I was at another bar. I ask the bartender where else I should go, since it was my last night in Toronto. He told me to go back to TTS. And so I did, but this time there was still foh people in sidecar and they opened the side door for me. I head up stairs and again sit myself at the bar. This time, it was kinda quiet and chill, just few people at the bar. It was Robin again behind the bar, I order a moscow mule and just hung back. It was industry night, so the people there work in the hospitality business and I chatted with a few of them. I ask Robin for a suggestion for my next cocktail of only three ingredients with gin. He serves me a silver fox, it was just what I needed to wake me up a little and head back to the hotel.
Overall I really enjoyed my stay at this bar, people were super nice, small intimate space and relaxed. Of course Robin is a true barman, drinks were all thoughtfully made, tasted almost every drink that was mixed, and served every one with a smile.

I actually went for dinner at Sidecar, but they did not have a table for us, so they brought us through this mysterious passage and voila– I ended up at TTS.
I. Love. It.
While our dinner at Sidecar was delicious, the drinks were the star event.
What we drank:
— Old Fashioned
— Between the Sheets (brandy based)
These drinks are expertly crafted, and the atmosphere is very Mad Men-​esque– I will be back!

After a dinner at Kalender with some friends from Ottawa we wanted to finish off the evening with a cocktail. I suggested the bar at Sidecar, hoping to sneak one in before dinner service was over. Unfortunately we were too late for the Sidecar bar. Fortunately they allowed us riff-​raff to enter the hallowed second floor behind the secret door… also known as the Toronto Temperance Society.
The cocktail list, as expected, is an excellent mix of classics and unique blends using only top-​shelf ingredients. Tastes range from sweet to spicy to bitter.
The Moscow Mule was a top choice — vodka, lime, ginger syrup, ginger beer.
I also enjoyed El Presidente — aged rum, dry vermouth, cointreau, house made grenadine.
I’m definitely not in the class of people who can pay $ 285/​year so that I can relax in an exclusive space and drink expertly-​made cocktails, but I would if I could!
If you have a chance to go, jump on it. Enjoy cocktails the way they’re supposed to b e enjoyed.

I
Have
No
Words!
The visionaries behind TTS have wrought an exquisite work of art in the form of a cocktail bar/​restaurant/​drinking/​dining experience that is on a level all its own.
Every aspect of TTS is top shelf but, you know, it’s not crazy expensive. It’s actually very reasonably priced given the extraordinarily high quality of everything on offer.
I had a perfectly prepared Negroni, and delicious grilled Haddock with fiddleheads and some other delicious ingredients. Also, the chopped salad (that’s not what it’s called on the menu) with jicama was delish!
The true value of the membership fee becomes self-​evident in the winter when you really don’t feel like waiting on line in the cold. Meanwhile, in the summer, while everyone is looking to eat out in the garden or on the sidewalk, TTS is offering the same high quality experience, indoors, and with half the usual crowd. So intimate, timeless and satisfying.
There is nothing else like this place in NORTH AMERICA. I am not exaggerating.

Had some dinner here — and reporting on the roasted duck + stuffing + Brussel sprouts. It was divine. It’s perfectly filling for a cold winter night — and if you’re not in the mood for duck… they had a chestnut gnocchi with a pork shoulder ragu that sounded way too good to ignore the next time I’m in.
The only thing I’ve noticed with cuts of meat from TTS/​Sidecar is that they are either too textbook perfectly cooked /​perhaps slightly under than what you’re used to.
So a medium rare here, truly is a medium rare– which is more rare than what most places consider a medium rare. So consider that… when ordering… a medium rare.
Oliver Stern is the best bar manager in the city!

Service was very professional and the food is the same stuff (and appears to be the same price) as Sidecar. I’ve never encountered drinks like this in Toronto, though in Vancouver there are a couple of places that have great drinks like this that you don’t have to pay $ 285 a year to go to. It seems a bit steep to pay close to $ 300 to drink fancy cocktails in a nice environment. But they’re really nice cocktails and a really nice environment. I am slowly being seduced by its charm into buying a membership. I haven’t found cocktails of this calibre anywhere else in Toronto, so it’s quite tempting to join.
I’m curious about the housemade tonic water. Scaramouche has a pretty great gin and tonic so I’m curious to see how this one compares.
I like the way they organize their menu based on the type of liquor used. I had the Imperial Fizz and tried some of the Sazerac. Both were delicious! This is a great place for people who truly appreciate cocktails – and I do, I’m just not sure if I appreciate it enough to pay $ 285 a year to drink them. This is a tough decision, but trying it out is really making me think about getting one… What ever happened to ladies night? Girls get in free? Maybe I’ll just have to make friends with someone who has one of those memberships since members can bring up to 3 guests. And now to make this sound like part-​review and part-​personal ad: Do any friendly fun Unilocalers have one? I like fancy cocktails and long walks up dark stairwells (if they lead to TTS) … :p

I went here for a drink after dinner on Friday. When we first arrived it was completely empty — but had a pretty cool vibe — well-​dressed bar tender, well-​stocked bar, fresh mint, star anise, cinnamon sticks, homemade tonic and more all lined up neatly across the bar. Nice big bar stools, booths, tables, no natural sunlight (the bar tender said they don’t put the blinds up…).
I had the Rocco Perri (strawberries, cynar, rum, vermouth and fresh grapefruit juice). It was a strong drink but very tasty. Most drinks are around $ 10 or $ 12, which is a bit pricey (but if you have $ 280 to spend on a membership, you can buy a $ 10 drink). I definitely think it’s a cool spot for a couple of drinks — will probably be more appealing in the winter because it’s sort of dark and more of a cozy place. Hard to find from the street –but it’s right beside Sidecar — black door. Since they’re new and trying to attract new members, you can try without a membership card.

Place is so spectacularly good, it’s ridiculous.
The only reason for the one star is to keep all of y’all out of here. A wonderful celebration of the art of the drink. Wonderful conversation. beautiful mixology, active relaxation.
The finest drinks in town. The most attentive staff. A land of hyperbole come true,
There’s no point to me writing any more Unilocal reviews for any more places. This is the only place that I truly want to be.
There’s only one star left, and this is it.