(Visited 09/02/2025 TU @ 8:30pm): Distillery may have been its history, but this open-air district…read morehas become more than that!
After I imbibed at Old Flame Brewing Co., I explored The Distillery Historic District where it was located for a leisurely first evening in Toronto. Over 20 years ago, a small group of visionary developers looked at a derelict collection of Victorian Industrial buildings that had been pronounced a national historic site and imagined transforming it. They wanted to create a place that would excite and inspire the senses. Where people could experience new ideas, new foods, new designs and new ways of living and working. The vision was to combine the romance and relaxing atmosphere of European walking and patio districts with the hip, cool dynamic of an area like New York City's SoHo or Chelsea, where creative minds got together and you felt as if anything could happen. Their dream was to provide a place where artists, artisans, entrepreneurs and businesspeople could rub shoulders and inspire each other. So, they began plans to restore the 47 buildings known as the Gooderham & Worts Distillery. They went to great lengths in the restoration process to repurpose original materials and brilliantly blend them with today's modern materials and green technologies. One could only marvel at the authentic exterior restoration that was achieved. But it was when you stepped inside the buildings that you truly realized the magnitude of what was accomplished. What you found was a dramatic fusion of old and new. An inspired blend of Victorian Industrial architecture and stunning 21st century design and creativity. The result was an internationally acclaimed village of one-of-a-kind stores, shops, galleries, studios, restaurants, cafes, theatres and more. The Distillery Historic District opened in 2003 and today is widely regarded as Canada's premier arts, culture and entertainment destination. A place brimming with creativity and creative people, that could inspire dreams, and a place that could help them come true. Was history on my side to revisit this district that actually had a distillery shop onsite that I missed!?
PURCHASE(S)
(N/A): I spent some money at Old Flame Brewing Co. (read my review of that) but nowhere else, and certainly nothing directly with the facility itself. Of course, you had ample opportunity to spend your money with other businesses or onsite parking, or simply nothing at all as you just hung out.
EXPERIENCE
I lazily walked throughout the premises as I checked out the storefronts of mostly closed businesses for the night, people-watched, but mainly admired several art displays https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=1tmuPlZ1LXRKNJC6ViM-vw and enjoyed the nice cool evening weather.
SERVICE
Besides the employees who worked inside the various businesses and possibly a guard who managed the parking lots, there were no other services available. At this time of night, I didn't see any cleaning crew or security staff - "nuff said.
PARKING
(Varied; N/A this instance): It was a flat 15-minute walk from my Airbnb. Otherwise, there were both onsite and offsite lots, numerous public transportation options, and rideshares - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A large outdoor area filled with 19th-Century buildings repaired and repurposed to house new businesses https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=fGw7y2G0RTwKqQnQ6VEynA with walking paths https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=xf2flq93fGxjt4L2oJAhmw and open sections for gatherings and live entertainment, and a decent amount of places to sit. Plenty of natural lighting since you were completely outside while a ton of various electric lights and those along the street filled in the rest. There were no TVs on the exterior while the only background noise were the sounds of passing vehicles and the chatter of patrons. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=oF-rbwyZqdtP9nryC8CVRA
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
The Distillery Historic District was very cool, and I would gladly visit it again the next time I was in Toronto. There were so many things to try and take part in given a full day. There were enough varied businesses to spread the money around... or simply just chill. And, I always loved supporting small businesses and efforts whenever possible. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $0.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, many of businesses accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS
