Where the Party's At

Three brand new bars are coming to a neighbourhood near you. Grab a seat while you can

Room with a view: Hanif Harji at Bar Crudo, mid-reno
Image credit: Claudia Hung

Bar Crudo

1096 Queen St. W., 416-466-1888

The concept: Crudo means “raw” in Italian, and inspires cuisine and decor at this unapologetically pared-down outfit. Think Old World culinary techniques (ceviche, tartare and other uncooked faves) with a good dose of Queen West stylishness.
The look: sleek ’n’ chic, with an open-concept kitchen and opulent chandeliers rescued from the Inn on the Park.
The mastermind: The man in charge is Hanif Harji, whose Midas touch has already birthed Blowfish, Kultura and Colborne Lane.
The crowd: Unlike its club kid–friendly next-door neighbour The Social, Crudo caters to a schmoozy set, meaning no deafeningly loud music and no sweaty dance floor.
The poison: The Testarossa combines Finlandia mango vodka and peach schnapps with strawberries and a dash of sparkling rosé ($13).
The tunes: Everything from 1950s remixes to electro ’80s.
The ETA: Doors open late July or early August.

The Ossington

61 Ossington Ave., phone number TBA

The concept: Slightly more refined than other Ossington stalwarts—like Sweaty Betty’s if it grew up and stopped shopping at Value Village—but with the same everybody-knows-your-name appeal.
The look: A hip-infused haunt, with high ceilings, hardwood accents and funky, eclectic furniture.
The masterminds: Street cred trumps star power. Co-owners Ben Rahn and Andrew Salem are Queen West art scene fixtures.
The crowd: Semi-retired scenesters who crave a comfy home base and wouldn’t be caught dead lining up on weekends at The Drake.
The poison: Forget the frilly cocktails. This is whiskytown.
The tunes: A Pitchfork-worthy playlist of tunes—everything from Serge Gainsbourg to James Brown to Kraftwerk—comes courtesy of good friends with killer iPods.
The ETA: June. They hope.

One

134 Yorkville Ave., 416-961-9600

The concept: The Hazelton Hotel’s resident resto-bar introduces a whole new standard in haute hangouts; be prepared for a full-scale circus when the film fest rolls around.
The look: Part Parisian sidewalk café (an Edenic street-level patio that seats 80, slinking around the corner of Yorkville and Hazelton), part Scarface-worthy luxury lair (walls in the dining room are tiled with mirrored glass and cowhide).
The mastermind: Bymark’s Mark McEwan could probably build a hot spot in an igloo, but with a dream Yorkville address, he didn’t have to.
The crowd: A-list out-of-towners (first-name-only types Gwyneth and Penelope) and celeb-chef groupies.
The poison: Bourbon-based mint juleps on the patio.
The tunes: A quiet, contemporary backbeat. Anything more might induce sensory overload.
The ETA: Mid- to late July.