A hidden gem Italian bar in the University neighborhood. The location gives speakeasy vibes, walking down a quiet street, not a lot of signage. Just follow your map app and you'll be ok. Dark bar with Euro style seating. Expect to share a space with people you don't know. You order at the bar, then they bring everything out to you. We had a couple drinks, arancini, and entrees. I am an arancini snob and this one was spectacular. Loved my drinks and carbonara was excellent. You can also take beer and wine to go. If I happen to come upon the area again, I will stop by quickly! read more

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Had the fagioli salad with a light lager and it was such a perfect combo. The salad was fresh, simple, and full of flavour -- exactly the kind of dish that lets good ingredients speak for themselves. The beer pairing was spot on. Really loved the atmosphere at Bar Volo too. Relaxed, thoughtful, and clearly run by people who care deeply about food and beer. Great service, great vibe, and the kind of place that makes you want to stay for one more drink. read more

Service, beer, chill vibe, dark lights. I loved all of them. Enjoyed cask conditioned beer the most. Servers were very knowledgeable about beer which was a plus! read more

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Stopped by for drinks with friends. It's a tighter space but a good vibe with dim lighting and good music. La Adventure - London Dry Gin, Fino Sherry, Green Chartreuse, Lime & Basil Spruzzata - Blanco Tequila, Agave, Marmalade, Lime, Lager & Salt Nice for dates and friends. If you want to go in a larger group, I strongly recommend making reservations. Otherwise you might be waiting a while. read more

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No word of a lie, this has gotta be one of the coolest bars in the city, and certainly one of the best beer bars. Bar Volo -- originally on Yonge Street at Dundonald for nearly 30 years (the original Dundonald street sign hangs in this new location) -- was one of Toronto's original craft beer bars. They're now focused on cask beers, or beers that undergo a second fermentation in the barrel. Volo has about two dozen taps pouring its own homebrewed beers and other choice brews from across the province. They also have some nice natural wines. Tucked away down a little back street, the space itself is an instant vibe with its bustling, cozy ambiance and exposed brick that definitely feels a little European. Shame that the city of Toronto shut down their famous summer patio :( Anyhoo, we went there on a weeknight and placed an order for two plates of pasta just before the kitchen closed at 10pm and mama mia!! Both pastas were exceptionally good. This place has it all. read more

I was wondering where Bar Volo had relocated and found this hole in the wall of a place in the alley between St Joseph and Wellesley. Definitely got some European feel to it, with the barrels high tables and open storefront on the cobblestone paved roads in a hidden alleyway. When you first get in - find your own seat, and if there aren't any - get on the waitlist. There is no seated ordering service - place your order at the bar, pay, and get your beer right there. They do have an option to open a tab if you leave your credit card there. On their blackboard menu they have a LOT of selections on tap, but my usual go to is the Bottega Blonde. It's smooth and malty with a clean, non-hoppy finish. They do have can and bottle options but I feel like that wouldn't be the same as you can just buy that at LCBO and drink it at home. There's just something about a freshly pulled pint from the keg that makes it so much more refreshing. Food wise, when I'm with a bigger group (3+) we usually get their meat and cheese board ($45) which consists of a selection of cured meats, cheeses, as well as breads and marinated delicacies (olives, shishito peppers). When it is first served it appears to be a small portion, but when you get into it, taking gulps of beer in between, you realize that the portion is just right as a light snack (beer food, haha). My favourite is the nduja spread which has the perfect amount of smoke and heat. Overall a good place to have drinks with a small group of friends. Just be sure to go early as they often have a long waitlist. read more

Great atmosphere, endless beer list, and very good food. They don't take reservations, but the wait can be fine on a nice day. Helps that they offer you beer while you wait. Was very happy with everything that we ordered. There were three of us, and the small plates work great for nibbling on food, while drinking, and chatting. read more

Bar Volo - plates of food on a wooden table - Beer Bar Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Look no further for a lowkey bar in Toronto! I loved the vibe at Bar Volo - went with a friend for some drinks after work and absolutely loved everything we ordered. The food menu was mostly Italian snacks which were simple, tasty, and just right for pairing with your drink of choice. The small plates are perfect for sharing. Would highly recommend this place as the start or end of your evening. read more

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This place has a really nice vibe...a bit of Montreal and Europe in a hidden alley amidst a sea of condos. The high ceilings and rustic decor are befitting of a bar/eatery with a southern Italian focus. The bar is a hive of activity, taking food and drink orders. The dining area and patio spilling out in to the interlocking brick apron give you that European feeling. We were only there for drinks late on a Friday. The bartenders are hard working and take pride in their cocktail game. We ordered mock tails and they took just as much care with those as any other drink. We'll be back to try the food and take in more of the open air ambiance. read more

Great vibe, great beer...takes a while to get served when it's busy, but that's just because the place is jumping! Service is excellent.

What a cute spot! This place reminded me of Barcelona. There's no table service and you order your drink at the bar. Great selection of beer. It was packed on a Friday night. Vibe was great. I'd def come back again. read more

Bar Volo - a large group of people at a bar - Beer Bar Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Ordered a pizza to go and had a beer while waiting. So dang good! I'll be back, for sure! Lot's of excellent beers on tap including hand-drawn kegs. read more

They got beer. It's small and dark. Expect to sit almost on top of your neighbor and judge the date small talk. Needs more coat hooks for the high tops. Lots of beer lots and lots of beer. Like Pokemon I'll try to catch em all. read more

Long story short: Great, rustic atmosphere at Bar Volo! It's a small space, but the staff are friendly and the drinks are delicious! Long story long: I came here for a midday drink before a movie. Great selection of unique wines, they also have a mini brewery for a unique collection of beers. I had just an appetizer, the pane (sourdough with olive oil) and olivio (marinated olives). Both were delicious! The olives were especially good and warm. It was a lovely, small rustic space, with friendly and attentive servers. Highly recommend! read more

Bar Volo - Pane and Olivio (yum!) - Beer Bar Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I was visiting town and was staying by Bar Volo and read good things. I was so glad to have come by. It was Tuesday so they have their $6.50 specials for their Bar Volo brewed beers. I ended up ordering a sour that was on the regular menu, about $9.50 and my partner ordered a hazy IPA from the special. It was a chill night as it was close to their last call. The bar is so nice, spacious and beautifully decorated. The bartender was kind and knowledgeable. Their kitchen was closed which was sad because their food menu looked delicious! The beers were tasty and it was an enjoyable bar to visit. read more

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BOTTOM LINE: OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG! Welcome back old friend. We first met in 2007 when all I knew about beer was that ordering Stella made you "classy" - oh how much you have shown and taught me since. We hung out on a near-weekly basis for "multidisciplinary rounds" for years, and I wrote about our adventures in 2011 (I gave you 5-stars then!): https://www.yelp.ca/biz/bar-volo-toronto?hrid=LDVU9CZSMNuSBbi084mIIA&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) Then in 2016, you up and left us and the Toronto beer-loving community (shakes fists at condo developers!). Birreria was good but it wasn't the same. For years, my beer void went unfulfilled even as the local microbrewery scene did their best to step up their game. But today, I can say, I feel whole again! Ladies and gents, Volo really doesn't need any introduction or explanation. They're OG. They've reopened. The space is gorgeous. The space is larger. They've got plans. Big plans. Life is good again. read more

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Though originally known for its beer selections, the cocktail selection is worth checking out as well. We went for post-dinner drinks, but definitely intrigued by the small plates menu and hope to stop by again soon! read more

Bar Volo - Burrata ($14) - Beer Bar Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I think this is the perfect place to get a drink if you are low key person. If you are someone who wants a setting perfect for a guy who wants the pub feel but you also want some fun cocktails or nice glasses of wine this is certainly a good spot. I really enjoyed the ambience and was a great spot to grab a casual drink for a first date or after a dinner. You order and pay at the counter and then can sit where you like. Very easy for people to come and go. It is located near wellsley station but is a bit tucked away. A great spot if you want something less loud and off the main street. Will surely come again read more

Such a cute and cozy hole in the wall. I had a great strawberry cider on the waiters recommendation. Great staff, great prices and good vibes! read more

Bar Volo - Beer Bar Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

The space is a bit small and cramped, but the vibe and atmosphere of the place is quite nice. Feels a bit like you're in a trendy European pub? They have a great selection of beers on tap (and some Cask beer if you're into that style... while I don't regret trying it, I think the lack of carbonation and the warmer nature of the beer made it not my preference overall), and the food was surprisingly tasty. I especially recommend the pizza blanco. Crispy crust with a bit of a pan fried quality. Delicious! A bit pricey for the portion size. No reservations and they fill up quickly, so get there early. Would definitely go back for a drink again. read more

Bar Volo - The Volo Gus (porter) - Beer Bar Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

It's so nice to be back at Bar Volo - welcome back to the neighborhood! The atmosphere is even better than before. Spacious, comforting, with an ever changing beer list, and some rare finds! If you are curious to try some Belgian lambics, this is the place to visit. And of course, some popular local craft brews. I personally loved the food. Most items are tapas style and great for sharing. The prices are reasonable for the quality and location. And if you are sharing, it's not bad at all. Some of the beers are a little expensive, but they are the limited quantity imports from specialty breweries. I highly recommend trying something unique. I was thrown off by one thing... The whole premise is bar service - you order everything at the bar, pick up the beer at the bar, and food is delivered to your table. And the staff brought over some water at the beginning and cleared a few glasses off the table over time. It was not poor service whatsoever, and the staff were nice. But it definitely wasn't classic table service. Does that constitute a default 20% tip? When I went to close my $55 tab, I realized the default tip option was 20%, and I had to manually change the tip percentage. I thought that was a little strange. I've seen default options of 15, 18 and 20... but never just 20%. So I guess pay attention to that? I love this place, so I'll definitely be back. read more

Very cool environment. Surprisingly easy to talk given how crowded it was; excellent beer and nice, straight-forward Italian bites that are enough for a meal. read more

Terrible service, this waitress (extremely rude and racist) accused one of my friends of being "too intoxicated", kicked my friends and I out of the bar and threatened to call the cops on us twice all because we were enjoying the drinks and having fun. No, we were not making excessive noises nor making a scene. Our drinks were forcefully taken away and we had to pay full price. What shocked me more is that this establishment clearly went against the policies set out by the Alcohol and Gaming Committee of Ontario: They first served us alcohol, to the point where they assumed one of my friends of being "too intoxicated", then proceeded to kick us out. Avoid this bar at all cost! Screenshot attached from the AGCO. read more

Bar Volo - Beer Bar Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Amazing spot to grab and drink and food with a friend. So a beautiful quiet patio to sit and enjoy. A tucked away little treat.

I heard this establishment has been around since the 80s but this is their second, reopened location. Since their reopening I haven't actually dined or sat inside as the pandemic struck months after. I'm really glad to live close as they provide takeout growlers so my draft craft fix is supplied. They are purveyors of local and Canadian beer and wine. The owner Tom is friendly and laid back. I notice sometimes he is the only one running the whole patio though. The food is Italianish and spanish-ish. They offer olives, bread, cheese and pressed paninis. read more

I sat at a table located directly over top of a sewer grate on their patio and this place is still better than the other two spots I ate at today (The Morning After and 7 West). Fun light menu options with a killer selection of beers. The staff are warm and friendly, the locale is kinda cool, and the general vibe is great. It's legitimately one of the cooler places to stop for a drink and a quick bite in Toronto. I'll definitely be coming back again soon, maybe I'll pick a different table. read more

Very rude personnel!! Had a very stressful experience as you need to order at the bar wait eternally for your drinks to be made, find a table yourself and deal with rude, impatient waiters and waitresses. read more

One of the best places for beer in Toronto. Why? They serve not only a selection of house made beer on draught, but on cask or real ale as well. They have a selection of bottles that are rare to find if you are looking to splurge. Grab some delicious Italian food if you are hungry to pair with your beer. The place is off the street in a quiet pocket of the city and is a cozy environment. read more

Every bit as magical as the original. Inviting, comfortable, beautifully lit, crowded in a good way, and stocked with delicious beers and cocktails, from A to Z. read more

I still remember the old location of Volo on Yonge, so when I randomly walked across this place I was super excited to have some beer here. I had lots of Peche Mortel here! They also had "Half Hours on Earth" which is a brewery I had been wanting to try. The people here were super nice, and the food was good! I look forward to coming here again! read more

Kind of stumbled upon this place and loved it. Great and unique beer selection. Beer that you won't find everywhere. They also have a bottle shop where you can buy beer and wine that you won't see in the LCBO's. We did not try the food, but plan on coming back. The menu looks great. Cant wait to come back! read more

Love the ambiance - cozy and really warmly decorated. Beautiful with afternoon sunlight streaming in. I got one of their stouts and it was smooth and wonderful (I love stouts). Great selection of cask ales and other options on tap. My partner and I aren't really into IPAs (and he's not into sours), so it was nice to have a lot of options to pick from. Didn't get any food but it looked and smelled good! read more

This place still fucks, cute decor, phenomenal location, that lil secluded alleyway at Yonge and Bloor, a lovely lil escape.

Such a great space - and a great selection of beer - but the hostess and wait staff have no clue how to manage the tables. (Bar staff is fantastic and service there is excellent.) Bar/open seating is great - and table seating is great. But make up your mind and run it with a nominal degree of competency. Maybe growing pains and immature management. Hope they grow out of it. read more

I really enjoy the quaint sidestreet location and the great look of the new Bar Volo; it's great having such a picturesque watering hole here in a city obsessed with putting up concrete & glass cubes, The brew selection here is expansive and quite good, with interesting imports eg. from BC & top Ontario stars not seen everywhere. These lads make an effort. Service is very informed and polite though at times un-rushed to a fault. A top experience, don't expect a 'cheap bar.' The pizza ordered once was decent, I lack experience with other menu items. Volo seems like a stop worth making whenever passing nearby. Thank you guys for persisting with a new location! read more

I'm pleased to see the return of Bar Volo. It's now open down an alleyway near Yonge and Wellesley. The new space looks great, with a large stand up bar, and the beer list is, of course, awesome. In particular, they're offering 6 rotating casks. I enjoyed a cask bitter and a cask porter earlier this week. The wine list looks decent too, much less of an afterthought than most beer places. Welcome back! read more

I regularly visit Bar Volo for a beer or glass of wine. The last time I was there I ordered a white wine that was truly undrinkable. I mentioned it to the waitress who immediately said she would get another wine. Soon the owner came over and explained to me why I was wrong. He would give me a glass of wine that they offer to people who know nothing about good wine. I did not mention that I have 180 bottles of wine in my cellar. He further explained that he personally went to Sicily and picked out the wine. (He probably went on vacation and used that so he could expense his trip). Then he went on to explain the difficulties of running a bar during COVID. I get it. I too have lived through covid. Then he repeated everything in case I was too stupid to get it the first time. Don't get me wrong. The guy was probably having a bad day but he did not have to take it out on me. A simple apology and another glass of wine would have gone a long way. I will continue to go to Bar Volo but I will give them a little time out so the owner can get over his angst. Btw the server was great. I think she was a little embarassed. read more

Great vibe and love the interior design immensely. the space is surprisingly large if you don't look and go inside. The beer selection is pretty good and thoughtful. read more

Great spot - great atmosphere. I came here a few weeks ago with a friend of mine. We enjoyed a few drinks (I kind of like the no table service thing). Not a lot of cool bars in the area but this place is fantastic! read more

First visit at the new locale. A great spot given the lack of options in the area. Beer and wine on tap. They spend time on what's in their taps, so expect to have an intelligent chat about what's best to drink.. Food: meh. meatballs hearty, but lots of room to improve. Staff vey atttentive. Easy atmosphere. read more