The Coolest Speakeasy in Toronto! I'm on a dating tour and I'm currently listening to my therapist (my bestie) and dating them ALL! (Best advice ever, highly recommend.) So when this handsome fit fella said I bought you a ticket to come see me, I said I'll see you soon! Because Ladies the last man I dated said he was the best I'd find, and that he was a good catch. Good catch alright, I caught him left and right texting desperate women who wanted to see him. Ladies have HIM! He's good for a meal, that was the advice I got when I first started seeing him and I didn't listen! Shout out to that Yelp angel who I didn't listen to! He's is no prize, you were right! That's for sure! You've seen my pictures, talk about UPGRADE! Now let's talk about Prequel! While on a first date my new honey pot (yes they all get the same name) decided to take me all over Ossington. He lives in walking distance which is way cool! For our pregame we walked into this little upscale shop or so I thought, he said table for two. I was looking around confused and then voilà a distinguished gentleman appeared from the hidden door! Sooo cute! Upon entering this dimly lit enchanting room you see leather chairs and a place where honestly I could come to daily. I wish this was my neighborhood watering hole. Now this was NICE! Our bartender was awesome and made our drinks to perfection! My pictures of the drinks are picture perfect! Love this place and definitely returning when I come back to see this handsome man! (He really is. I know y'all don't trust me. lol I promise no more large men.) Till next time! Perfect date night vibes, highly recommend! Yelp didn't attach my original pics but there are more! They are beautiful too! read more

First of all, I really admire how committed Prequel & Co. Apothecary is to its concept. So many bars have a theme, but this is one of the few where it actually carries through every part of the experience. From the entrance to the interior and even the drinks themselves, everything is thoughtfully curated around the apothecary concept. The cocktails are all creatively themed, which makes the menu fun to explore. One of my favourite things to order is the warm olives with bread. They're simple, but so good that I usually end up (embarrassingly) asking for extra bread every time I come... If you're looking for a bar that's as much about the experience and atmosphere as it is about the drinks, I'd definitely recommend here. read more

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This is one of my favorite speakeasy's from a astetic point. The apothecary in front couod be an actual apothecary with clean design and interesting items well lit and displayed. Once they open up the wall the inside is just as nice. It is lit well enough to see everything well but still moody warm lighting. To be honest it was a but out of our price range so we just got one of the bottled beers. While still pricy, the bottled beer was pretty good and I can only imagine the cocktails wouod be great. One of the really nice touches is that the bill comes in a wax sealed envelope which really matches the atmosphere and was actually something I kept as a suvanneer. There are few speakeasies that put in the effort that they do so it is worth special occasion drinks for the atmosphere alone. read more

Prequel & Co. Apothecary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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We made a reservation for a Friday night and when we arrived, our table was ready. They have beautiful decorations both in the waiting area and the seating area & the bar. One fun fact about this place is that y'their entrance is one-way; once you enter through the door, you cannot walk back and you have to exit from the other side (and come back again through the entrance). They also have 2-hour seating limit. Their cocktails are beautiful and tasty. We tried "Lavender & Lemon", "After 8", "The Foreigner", "Japanese Burnt Martini" and "Au Revoir Shoshana" and "Champagne & Absinthe". All of them we liked. We also ordered some shareable Hors D'ouvres: "Pommes Frites", "Smoked Marinated Olives", "Fried Chicken" and "Truffle Lobster Roll". We enjoyed them all, but our favorite was Smoked Marinated Olives; really loved the smokey taste of it. The vibe is really nice and the staff are friendly. read more

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A great bar with many options! Make sure to make reservations as it's a popular bar. We tried their Brussels sprouts and it was unique. It wasn't too loud inside, we were able to hold our conversations. read more

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A very interesting and unique speakeasy experience. They have a one way entry so be sure to enjoy the first (waiting) room as long as you can. We did not haave a reservation on a Friday evening so they offered us a standing spot with the potential for grabbing a seat once one became available. The space inside was dark, very intimate, and dimly lit. Everything was beautifully decorated and still kept with the apothecary theme but a different vibe than the initial room. Depending on what table you get, I think it could be a bit tight with neighboring tables. We were 'seated' in the standing area which was a bit awkward space-vise. Everyone who had a spot along the same wall had to walk pass everyone else in a tighter squeeze. Staff were nice but clearly very busy. We didn't stay for food but had a drink and a dessert. Highly recommend the lemon lavender drink and the creme brulee! Those pair very well together and the creme brulee was a clear winner. read more

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So there is the Holy trinity of Prequel: Barchef, Prequel , and Companion. My cocktails except for the Absinthe were rather blah. Even the Weller antique 107 was a small pour and not that flaovrful. The appetizers were good cept for the charcuterie board ...which was almost insulting. Even with the exchange rate between the US/Canada it was spendy. Nevertheless the ambiance and vibe is fantastic and we all had a great time. Get an absinthe ...it is a fun spectacule. read more

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A real classy joint. Service is impeccable. Really inventive cocktails. Also the bill is presented in a wax-sealed envelope. Very cool. Notes of the Alchemist: Citrusy, floral, and well-spiced. Bursting with different flavors. A wonderful cocktail, that everyone should try. Kyoto Foret: An elevated old fashioned. High quality ingredients and well made. Lavender & Lemon: A good cocktail. A bit sweet and kinda one-note though. Japanese Burnt Martini: Wonderfully aromatic. Although the actual taste is a bit too harsh and herbacious for me. Truffle Fries: Crisp fries, where the truffle flavor really shines. Caviar Taster: A bit disappointing. The caviar wasn't as oceanic as I'd like, and the alliums were overpowering. read more

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Tyler was amazing, we had standing room but he got us seats when we asked half way through and was very thoughtful. Explained everything clearly and seemed very passionate about his work read more

Prequel & Co. Apothecary - Receipt in a envelope with a wax seal - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

We were wandering down Queen looking for a place to grab dinner and a drink and was able to grab a table at Prequel on a Friday night around 7pm. We came in hungry so we had quite a few items off their smaller food menu. We started w the fries w Parmesan, and fennel salad- both were delicious I mean you can't really mess up fries and the salad was super fresh! The salad was really one of the only lighter options on the menu- majority is fried. We did also get the charcuterie board and fried chicken. The preserves that came with the charcuterie board was amazing, I don't eat meat but my partner said the meats were good- nothing fantastic- but that could be because it was not his fav cuts of meat. He did also note that the fried chicken was really good! We finished w the crème brûlée which was sooooo good- I'm no t usually a fan of crème brûlée but as it was the only dessert option we decided to try it and honestly I could have had another! In terms of the drinks a they are STRONG! We had the cosmo, champagne and absinthe, after 8 and purple rain- they were all very flavourful but very spirit forward, we were def a little stumbly walking out. My only complaint would be the 2 hour seating max, it's a lounge type place which would be great to sit and enjoy some different bevy's but in 2 hours as a not heavy drinker you can only get some many down! read more

I brought my girlfriend here for a Monday night date. Overall, the experience was good, but I expected a bit more for the price I paid (92 dollars, including tax). The drinks we got were the Saffron Sunet and Noix De Coco Veryte (a mocktail since I don't drink now). Unfortunately, my drink was very underwhelming, as the flavour profile was monotonous and flat. I expected better things since Prequel & Co. Apothecary is part of the bar chef. The food was excellent, especially compared to the drink. First, the egg yolk drops on the tartare were a nice touch, making the dish super creamy overall. That said, I like my tartare the classic way (shaped & paired with toasted variations of bread on the side). Lastly, the Creme Brule stole the show. The crust was so perfect, and you could taste the fragrances of lavender, lemon and freshly ground vanilla beans dancing on your tongue with every bite. The vibe: 4/5 (entrance is 5/5, the exit was ah, 2/5) Drink: 1/5 Food: 4/5 Service: 3/5 (nothing stood out) Price 1/5 (As someone else mentioned - there are other speakeasies that have similar quality food and drink nearby at 70% of their price tag) read more

Such a beautiful spot. So much care taken in the apothecary out front. Great mood lighting. Wonderful menu with so many delightful choices. Super knowledgeable staff with the cocktails. We were delighted with the two cocktails we got. The frite were a great snack to go with and I loved the little details like how the cheque came in a wax sealed envelope read more

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Prequel has been on my list to checkout for a while and we decided to make a night of it since we were in the neighborhood. The ambience is very nice, with a full victorian apothecary entrance and dark cozy vibes once past the entryway. I love the aesthetic and the care they took to create a different world experience. Unfortunately, the cocktails were disappointing. I had the Kyoto foret and my partner had the Blanco Brise de Pandan. Neither of us really liked our drinks as we found that they lacked balance. The Kyoto foret is on the Forest Wood and Smoke menu but I think it went a little to far and tasted like licking smoked bark. The Blanco Brise promised pandan and lemon/lime but was unbalanced in the delivery. Lovely spot but we may have chosen the wrong drinks. read more

Prequel & Co. Apothecary - Kyoto forêt - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Delicious cocktails in a hidden bar. Top notch service. Atmosphere is dark and loud, but very hip.

Wow this place is so over hyped. From the front of the house being overwhelmed and not helpful, to being shuffled into the actual bar room only to get posted at a bar ledge in the corner of the room, this place was an absolute let down. It was also so loud you couldn't talk. The servers were short with their time and knowledge on the menu. Add on top of that the crazy prices for drinks that miss their mark on taste and presentation, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. read more

Prequel & Co. Apothecary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This was a lovely experience on a cold fall Saturday. The staff here were all great and had very different personalities which made it even more fun. The host was lovely and bubbly. We had a reservation for 5pm for 4. The rest of my group got stuck in traffic, but the host let me know it was fine - just that the reservation is 2 hours. In the end, we were probably 5 minutes over, but the my didn't rush us out. Our server was curt (in a speakeasy kinda of way) but was attentive and hugely informative on the entire menu and the history of the venue. She brought out a little dessert for my friends birthday at the end. I had the absynthe, a good choice for a fall day. The entire aesthetic was very well done. Also, the acoustics allowed for audible private conversation. Will be back! read more

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LOVED this spot so much! On a recent trip to Toronto, a friend brought us here & it was to die for! You walk into what looks like an old Victorian apothecary but once your table is available, the hostess slides open the bookcase & off you go into the dimly lit, decadent & plush interior. It feels exclusive & clandestine, with one way in & one way out. We had some amazing cocktails (what do you expect from the same group that brought us Barchef!), some yummy nibbles & just an all around fabulous night! Definitely will return. read more

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Incredible. Unforgettable. Delicious. Elegant. Decadent. Should I say more? I will, this place has incredible customer service, delicious drinks and food and an elegant ambience. I cannot wait to come back. We had several drinks and the escargot, but want to try all of their menu. Thanks so much for evening!! read more

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This bar has a great ambiance with a speakeasy feel. When you walk in, it feels like a quaint apothecary then the hostess walks you through a secret door leading to a vibrant dim lit bar. Small food menu for the snackers and those who want to counterbalance the alcohol lol. Drink menu is sophisticated and not overwhelming. The reason for the 3 stars in because we were sat at the bar behind a large vase so service was lacking. No one ever topped up our water until I asked when I was paying the bill. Not even sure if we had a designated bartender or server because no one introduced themselves nor consistently came by. Boulevardier is my favorite cocktail so naturally I ordered the Cedar Boulavadier. It was tasty but it was quite small. The Bartender advised me not to order the Kyoto Forêt so I asked him to surprise me for my second cocktail sharing my liquors of choice with him. I didn't like my second drink at all, I think it was misted with rose water or orange orgeat which I really dislike. Sadly he never explained the cocktail to me or checked in to see if I enjoyed it. All the bartenders seemed so focused on their craft and no one made eye contact so after a while I just decided to get the bill. I wish the service can be more attentive especially when we are paying $25++ a cocktail. I used to frequent Frankie's last establishment Bar Chef. While Bar Prequel's vibe is better I found the cocktails tastier at Bar Chef. read more

Prequel & Co. Apothecary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Their cocktails are really nice but the place is a little pricey. I'd recommend it to be an occasional visit especially if you enjoy a Victorian themed ambience. We didn't get great service and I think part of the reason could be because they were really busy. But I'd definitely recommend a visit once! read more

As a first timer here, i was quite impressed with this place. It lived up to the hype for sure, starting from the hostess and waiters who introduced us to the space and menu, to the drinks here. I love the fact that the exit is different from the entrance to keep with the speakeasy theme. You won't know it's there, unless you are looking for it or the line to get in. But even with the line, you still won't know what it is :) They have your classics like old fashion, martini, but also a section for those who like fruity/flowery drinks, and one more section for the smokey/heavier spirit taste. I'd recommend Le Cafe de Paris and Blanco Brise de Pandan! Plenty of space for a speakeasy. There are couches and high tables. Sitting area on the bar were plentiful as well. read more

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Prequel & Co Apothecary is a cool speakeasy right off Ossington that nails the 1920s vibe, with dark wood and vintage decor. Seating at the bar or in the main area is best--some tables at the far end feel isolated, and service can slip a bit back there. The cocktails are solid and reasonably priced for the quality, and I highly recommend the caviar tray (surprisingly affordable). It's the same owner as BarChef, so expect attention to detail and a top-notch cocktail experience. read more

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Great for the experience and the vibe. But too expensive to be a regular place. Cocktails were delicious. read more

Prequel & Co. Apothecary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Strongly recommend this speakeasy style bar designed to feel like an apothecary from outside. After sampling the cocktails here, no other cocktails feel good enough. Of course, everything is priced at a slightly higher price point. But definitely worth it since the cocktails feel fairly potent too. Cannot comment on the food since we didn't eat here. read more

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The apothecary entry is so cute and unique. The host inside the shop was welcoming and warm. The decor was so cute and whimsical. The dining room is dark and cozy. Our server wasn't welcoming or friendly the entire evening. A friend ordered a tequila cocktail and didn't like the smokey taste of the mezcal and was mocked for it. The food menu was ok, but we didn't order much. Our friends really enjoyed the lobster rolls that they ordered. The cocktail I ordered was good, but we only ordered one round because the waitress was so horrible. My wife and I LOVE speakeasies and have visited many all over the world. This unfortunately was one of my worst experiences. read more

Wow the entrance is absolutely beautiful. Hidden door and it looks like a antique tea room. Lots of drink options and they can also mix a special cocktail based on your preference. I highly recommend the lavender and lemon with egg whites. Will def come back! They have food as well that im interested in tryi read more

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Definitely would come back to this speakeasy because it's a super cool place to meet up with friends or have date night. I would recommend booking in advance because it gets quite full. Booked for 6:30pm and within half an hour the place was packed. From Queen street, it looks like an old school apothecary, but behind their doors, it leads you to a darker vibey space that's quite intimate. Honestly for the price of drinks in Toronto, it's a nicer experience here with more unique ones. There's a section on smokier, fruity/floral etc depending on what you're feeling. Drinks aren't watered down either which is great. There's not too many food options but it's a speakeasy after all, so you're not here for the food. read more

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Top notch speak easy bar in Toronto. Definitely one of the to go lists. Prequel looks like a small and old little store out front but opens up to a sweet french style bar. There is a solid cocktail selection and the appetizers available were excellent. Shout out for the steak tartare and lobster roll. Definitely suggest trying both. Great vibes with a "classier" feel. Will be back and definitely recommend checking if you're into the bar scene or just looking for a good time on a night out. read more

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I'm in town alone for business and I saw this interesting bat front during the day on my walk to lunch. I stopped in later that evening for a drink around 10pm. I was informed it was standing room only which I was fine with. Once inside though, seats freed at the bar and a nice wait staff told me I could sit. When the host came back down she had me stand again. The nice wait staff spoke to her and found me another seat as the bar was pretty empty and I was the only one standing.. Overall was uncomfortable for coming here alone. Sorry I didn't have a plus one as they were able to somehow seat many couples after me... read more

Prequel & Co. Apothecary - Prequel street view - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Very cute hidden away cocktail bar with a delicious menu of drinks. Tried the kyoto whiskey cocktail and the lime & lavender, both were fantastic! Also the bill comes in a little envelope sealed with was, a nice touch. Service was great too. read more

Prequel & Co. Apothecary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Love love love everything about this place! Ambiance amazing Service fantastic Coacktails out of this world! We had such a fun night here and cannot fault it ! Our server was fun and dynamic and she was spot on with her cocktail recommendations! My new favourite spot in TO read more

Prequel & Co. Apothecary - Cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

If you like drinks of course you'll find one you like, but tbh, for the price, it wasn't worth it for me. The cocktails were one dimensional and I expected something more unique. We tried two each, and both were very generic. My friend asked for one that wasn't on the menu and gave the server an idea of the type of notes she likes and he brought it over and didn't even tell her what was in it. It was also very poorly made. The ambiance is lovely here and it's a nice place for a night, but if you're super into cocktails I would go somewhere else. It's still fun to try and taste a few, but I don't think I would come back on a regular basis. read more

I noticed Prequel & Co Apothecary while walking down Queen West one day before it opened and I had to Google what it was. Once I saw it was a new cocktail bar, I knew I had to check it out. Two of us went on a Saturday night with a reservation (which was not difficult to get once I set a notification for cancellations on OpenTable). The ambiance and decor were stellar, the service was decent, and most importantly, drinks were incredible. I tried the Coconut & Elderflower, as well as the Apothecary 1036. My friend had a Negroni and Old Fashioned. Only con was they forgot our second round of cocktails but it was a genuine mistake and they offered us a small complimentary cocktail while we waited for them. I would definitely return to try some bites and more cocktails. read more

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The ambiance was amazing! The drink menu was amazing - so many different options and unique flavor combinations to delight the tastebuds. We ordered a charcuterie as well - many different taste and texture options to complement the beverages . Service was nice - and were able to answer any questions. Also impressed with the Aesop soap in the bathroom and decor . read more

Prequel & Co. Apothecary - Picture of the "vibe" esthetic when walking in . - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Listen, the place is extremely stylish and well designed, and the service is nice. But Prequel has nothing on Barchef, its sister bar, which I think is far superior in every way, from the vibe to the drinks themselves. I'm a cocktail maven and I didn't think these cocktails were all that special (I tried three and tasted a fourth) and one of them was downright undrinkable--everyone in my party took a tiny taste of it and agreed it needed to go back. Also, just to clarify for anyone who's confused, this bar is modeled after a speakeasy but it's not an actual modern-day speakeasy, which these days, means a bar that is literally hidden away. Given the enormous "Prequel" sign on Queen, this bar would not qualify lol. But one thing I do love about this place is that it takes reservations! read more

I was so excited to finally get to try out prequel as it's the first sister bar of my all time favorite Barchef. however it was a very underwhelming night. the drinks were so mediocre that I was so disappointed this is actually a sister bar of Barchef. we initially got the 2 drinks: Jasmine Cosmopolitan: that has jasmine but I could not taste a single trace of jasmine scent but only strong cognac Blanco brise de Pandan: no single trace of pandan scent but more like their own version of tequila cocktail that doesnt really taste good the server who also seem like a manager was kind enough to give me a new drink on the house after I complained about how much I didn't enjoy the jasmine Cosmopolitan drink to the Champagne Abstinence, it was a refreshing drink but nothing special the half priced smoked bone marrow was start of the show but it was only available to promote their new bar in the west end called Compton Street the receptionist was friendly and professional, servers were okay that the person who seem like a manager there provided a better service than our server However it seems like it's because they're right next to a clubby lounge that the customer base is very different than Barchef, you'd see some people who are not that classy and loud in here that kind of ruins the vibe of the bar.the interior is also underwhelming compared to how well decorated the entrance is overall I'd not consider to go back for the short while read more

The mixologist (bartender) was amazing and attentive... seeing how they curate the drinks is truly a work of art. The drinks were amazing, and although you are paying more for your buck - you get the experience, the smell of the aromas and so much more. The Paris aesthetic is eye pleasing... I can't wait to go back! read more

Prequel & Co. Apothecary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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A colleague recommended we try this "speakeasy" during our recent trip to Toronto. The entrance is fun and magical and sets the tone. Once in, the space is cozy, dimly lit, and sexy. While we started off with an attentive server, we somehow wound up with another server that was rude, didn't check up on us, and left a bad taste in our mouth. Besides the poor service, the drinks were well crafted and tasty. The lobster roll was fresh and tasty (according to my dinner companions). Wish I could give this place more stars, but the service just wasn't up to par. read more

Where to begin with such an outstanding, classy new cocktail bar in Toronto! This new spot in Toronto is an exceptional place to visit. The ambiance is 10 out of 10, it expresses exactly what they are all about transforming you into the late 1800 Paris era. Frankie the owner aka the cocktail master mind behind it all put so much thought into creating this place from the phenomenal handcrafted Cocktail's to every single detail within the building. Service is top notch from the moment you enter the door till the moment you leave ! Lastly, those who truly appreciate the craft of high quality cocktail- this place is for you! read more

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A masterclass in elegance and sophistication. The ambiance strikes a perfect balance between beauty and upscale refinement, reminiscent of a 1890-1910 Parisian apothecary in the Art Nouveau era. The cocktails are not just drinks but works of art, each meticulously crafted to please both the eye and palate. The extensive menu offers a journey through exquisite flavors. Complementing the drinks are gourmet small plates, prepared with the highest quality ingredients and presented with the same level of artistic elegance as the surroundings. This speakeasy isn't just a bar, it's an immersive experience in luxury and history, making it an essential destination for a truly upscale and unforgettable night out. read more