One of best Holiday destinations and great experience with great ambiance and food for everyone

A fun and unique addition to Toronto that basically is a small remnant of history brought back to present day. I was looking to kill time in Toronto and a local suggested The Distillery District, which I had not heard of when doing my initial research. The actual district itself is a decent stroll on foot from downtown, but if the weather permits, well worth it. The actual district itself is not too large, but can get very crowded during warm weather months. Mostly consisting of craft stores, restaurants, brewery, and a distillery (Go figure), it offers something for everyone. Various times of the years you can find a few festivals happening, but sadly I was not there during such (Apparently the light fest is pretty awesome). I honestly window shopped and stopped by the distillery for a tasting, but if you have time definitely spend at least a few hours at the least here, well worth it! read more

The Distillery is a cool spot to hang out most times of the year. There are a couple of outdoor patio's to enjoy pretty much all year as they have the heated outdoor heaters! There's something for pretty much everyone! Best times to visit are during the week! Especially since half the time, Mill st is usually closed to parking for either construction or a movie shoot! Parking is a headache, anywhere downtown for that matter! read more

Cute area when visiting to check out. Lots of different restaurants and shops to pick from. Went on a Saturday night and some of the spots close kinda early surprisingly. It had a good amount of people, but not overly packed which was nice. read more

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Went to the event space, 28 Distillery Lane for a TIFF Staff party. Lovely, rough hewn space, filled with historical industrial architectural features and moodiness. Very large ceilings and spacious venue. Really nice. And good location, within the community and vibe of the already bustling area. And close by amenities are a bonus with the Green P Parking adjacent to the venue space. read more

My girlfriends and I have made coming here a tradition since 2019. While a small tradition it started bc I had just move to Toronto from the US to marry my long time sweetheart, and we wanted to find something amazing and special for the holidays. Every year until this year has been fantastic. 5 stars. This year however they switched things on us. The entrance was switched with a long queue which wasn't too bad, but it placed us in unfamiliar territory and the "security" guards or line people were not very nice in their demeanour or how they were asking people to get into line. We were okay but how they were talking to some families were a bit ridiculous yelling at parties to break them up bc of the line, holding people back but yelling at them to stay back - no one was fighting them, they were just constantly yelling. Then on our way out to find an Uber - we wound up where we entered. We called an Uber and were waiting g and the security then yelled at us for calling an Uber there saying they shouldn't be picking us up there. I said well we didn't know and the Uber is already on its way and I said where is the Uber pick up now? And she rudely responded it's on your Uber map. I said sorry we aren't really in this area I'm a bit turned around can you help me find it? And she said, no and then kept huffing and puffing about the Uber pick up. The market was okay this year, but it made us question why we buy tickets to feel like we are in the wrong no matter if we are just trying to go where we need to go. None of us fought them, but tried to ask for help and direction where to go and it was super rude. I think if the market has sign posts that say where ride share pick up are located would be helpful, and maybe some nicer people at the entrance. Customer service is part of the experience and bc of lack of customer service this year it wasn't as magical. read more

I haven't been inside any stores/restaurants in the Distillery District, but came here 3x already. Went today to see the TLF (Toronto Light Fest). First time and I loved how a few of them were interactive. There were explanations on some that I saw, maybe I didn't see the others. It was 6 degrees outside but the wind was so cold! I couldn't enjoy it too much because I started getting a brain freeze from the cold. I live in Canada but I don't go out for too long in the winter. Nevertheless it was a lot of fun and I got to see all the lights that they presented. Next time I'll be going in one of the restaurants for sure. My only advice is - If you decide to come here in the winter, DRESS WARM! read more

The Distillery District - Toronto light fest, world religions - Local Flavor Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I came by this place with my boyfriend during the day before going to Pink Sweat's concert. It was my first time visiting! I was so happy and excited. We walked around and took some pictures. It was really windy and cold though. We also went inside this art museum, which is so cool. The christmas tree was huge but it was pretty. Everything was so nice, even though it's in Toronto - it felt like visiting a small village somewhere else. It was such a fun sight-seeing. It's alot more beautiful during the night time as the decorations light up! Would suggest visiting this area sometime if you love village-like environment and christmas season! read more

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There's certainly nothing discernibly wrong about this historic area where once functioned the world's largest whiskey distillery. Now forty-plus heritage buildings populate a thirteen-acre urban area lined with brick-paved pedestrian-only lanes barring those irritating scooters. Yet, there's something pre-packaged-feeling about it. Jamie W. and I both felt it the evening we arrived in Toronto and strolled over there. As we expected, there were crowded brewpub restaurants, contemporary art galleries, artisan boutiques, specialty retail stores, and lots of public art positioned for typical Instagram moments (photo: http://bit.ly/2ZblT2J). Feel free to visit as all the online city guides will tell you to go. For us, it was one and done. Ironically I'll be coming back to Toronto for work later this year. Something tells me I'll be back. Sigh. RELATED - Traveling to Toronto? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: bit.ly/2LETSfV read more

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My wife's favorite location in Toronto. They were having a movie festival while we were there, so inflatable sofas were positioned and people had headphones to watch the movie(s) that were showing in different locations. Wish we had been able to go during the daytime when more places were open, but it has a very nice vibe. read more

There was a brick loose on the brick seating when you enter and I got up and it fell on the back of my leg and IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED OR I WILL SUE!! read more

What's not to like if this tourist area has received a designation as a world heritage site? There are plenty of venues surrounding a backdrop of cobblestone streets and 19th century buildings. The real bonus unlike many Toronto Ontario attractions is that it's pedestrian-only! Pick a restaurant or bar and start enjoying the surroundings or just venture here to sample the many staged performances (pre and post COVID-19) lockdowns. Toronto P street parking availability is good if your are one of the fortunate vehicle owners to find a spot. read more

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Very nice area to visit when you have some downtime. Lots of food and shops! Would recommend going on a weekend and when there's nicer weather- we went on a rainy weekday and a lot of places were closed. read more

We came across the DD after hitting up St Lawrence Market District. Great find. We found the best sauces and dipping oils and gourmet items to bring home. Lots of fun signs to get pics with - PEACE and LOVE. Honestly, my fav part on this sunny Saturday was getting pics of us in the district hanging out. We were celebrating my best friend's birthday and we were all about making memories. I know YELP, I have to do a MUCH better job sharing pics in the future....I need help with that and will try to do a better job. That being said, this is what 50 looks like - a hot blonde! read more

The Distillery District - Local Flavor Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Very cool and hipster area to go on dates, catch up with friends, or just hangout. I didn't know there was a place like this until I was searching up places to visit in Toronto since it was my first time in the city back in August but glad I found this place. There's tons of small boutique shops and cafes all throughout The Distillery District and it's unique to see how they're all so different from one another. I would've loved an option to see inside the old distillery but I know that most of it has been converted to these shops. Do yourself a favor and come check this place out if you're ever in the area because it's worth visiting by yourself or with friends/family. Some of the photos that I've added are from various shops throughout and I didn't get a chance to catch the names of the shops so I compiled them all in this review. read more

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Beautiful place this time of year. If you go during the day it's free. Otherwise you must purchase tickets in advance. read more

The Distillery District - Bourbon stan - Local Flavor Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Nice place to visit especially there were some nice restaurants, French, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Mexican etc. Will go back often read more

The Distillery District - Local Flavor Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This is a great place for a stroll anytime of day! Especially now with the huge Christmas tree and decor around its a good time with friends, family and kids. Grab a coffee / snack and have an afternoon in Distillery. Lots of tables to sit and grab food and plenty of parking lots in the area. read more

The Distillery District - Local Flavor Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

A short trolley ride from downtown Toronto will have you walking around the Distillery District. It's a very hipster place with a coffee shop around each corner. They have different boutiques and shops dotted around the district. I walked into a small decor shop and looked around for a bit. They had some cool knock knacks. I walked around for a while and found myself in a distillery. Perfect! The place they got their name from! The distillery was wonderful! I went in and tried a few lovely local drinks here. Everything here was made locally and packed a nice punch! The trolley all day pass is only around $10 USD all day, so there's no reason not to come by this area! There's plenty to do here. Well worth a day trip outside of the downtown area! read more

Lots to do here! Did not get a chance to stay too long because I was just visiting shortly but this place has cute old industrial town or London vibes to me. I went to the Spirit of York distillery for drinks and just walking around and into shops around the area. I wish I could have stayed longer, but I would come back again with a few friends for dinner and drinks! Huge area so keep walking because it gets better! read more

Walking among the Victorian Industrial buildings you are transported to a different era with all the brick structures and cobblestone paths: a lovely place to tour. Designated as a national historic site - "Our 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 get together and you feel as if anything could happen." - website Many interesting shops: specialty chocolates, art galleries and studios, and restaurants with the cutests patios. Great place for photo ops during the day with various sculptures like the War of the Worlds size spider, a fantastical beast, a heart arch and the Love lock fence. At night there's twinkling lights illuminating the walkways and patios of the different restaurants. Host to a number of events: plays, weekly Sunday market, Music City Summer Series, Oktoberfest, Toronto Light Festival, Doors Open, and Vocal Arts Festival. Definitely a destination spot for tourists and Toronto residents alike. read more

Food in the winter village is ridiculously overpriced. Small burger costs $12, bigger burger with two patties $16; small cup of fries $9, same size poutine $12, poutine with smoked meat or chicken braised in wine $15. For dessert a small tart is around $5. There are great cookies in Sweetie Pie for $3. Now add 30 to 70 cents to every price, and tax. If you want to buy something small for you and your date, you have to spend around $30. Free to enter only before 4pm, after it costs $15 to get in. Kids under 9 are allowed to come in for free, but this is written in tiny print when you buy tickets online, so people end up paying for kids. We are explicitly told by our supervisors that we should never say the word 'refund' and that we never give refunds. We advise visitors to email the staff to see if they can do something, knowing full well that they will achieve nothing. Winter Village is tiny, takes about half an hour to walk through. There is no actual entertainment, only lights, a big Christmas tree that is poorly decorated. A few security guards are curt and plain rude. I have seen multiple times as they yell at visitors to not stand around in the bike lane (in the winter, as people are taking a look what is inside this great attraction). They brush of simple questions by customers and redirect them to someone else. Not all security guards like that, some are genuinely helpful and kind, and it is only a few that are obnoxious and on a power-trip that ruin the image. Working here as a Gatekeeper I can attest that the environment is toxic and I advise people to think twice before working here unless they want to act like a servile yap dog. A supervisor, Carmen Ulled, made a big deal about me letting people in through the convenient bigger gates through which people exit instead of making them walk around to the smaller barricaded entrance. There was no people who were exiting anyway. Before work I have seen multiple times as Carmen and another supervisor, Kristen, literally yell at colleagues who are a few minutes late. They threatened them that if they will be late again they will have to have to talk, and maybe they will find their shifts taken away or they will no longer be working here at all. I am for punctuality but it is unacceptable to treat colleagues in such a demeaning manner, on multiple occasions, and with no hint of shame. Carmen puts up a show of being nice and approachable but it is easy to see she does not care about workers and acts domineeringly the second you make a small mistake. I had an incident at work where I was yelled at and intimidated by one of the security guards who is a good four to five inches taller than me for picking up his beer in a paper bag which I though was just trash. He for could not understand that there was now way for me to know that this paper bag on the floor was his. I don't understand why this has to happen. Did he think I was going to drink his beer? Just say, hey, that's actually mine, and I would have understood. I put the bag down because I realized he is too thickheaded to understand anything. Next day I see that my shifts have been taken away and Carmen's email where she is blaming me for the exchange. She never asked my side of the story, and never told what exactly I did wrong, or why my shifts were taken. It was the same vague nonsense like always, "inadequate performance" and "you have to do better next time" and so on. I decided to email the Human Resources manager, Andrea Sutherland, to explain her the whole situation, which is atrocious. I hoped that she can help and solicit an apology from the security guard and discipline Carmen. It took Andrea three days to look into it and she did absolutely nothing, in fact she fired me. I guess that is how workplace harassment is resolved by the Distillery Restaurant Corp. She did not acknowledge anything I brought up and again vaguely dismissed me for not being right for this job. This is a place of predatory corporate capitalism with all the accompanying characteristics. European Christmas markets are free, here you pay to walk around. :) read more

I loved the Distillery District and was so happy to find it, or rather, stumble upon it on my firs trip to Toronto that I was a little heart broken that on my second visit, I didn't get to go. It opens at 10 am every day but Sunday, when it then opens at 11am. So much shopping can be done here: Spectacle The Sports Gallery Mini Mioche Bergo Designs Beer Store And more! Are you hungry? Well this area has tons of food options to. Anything from pubs to Asian to baked goods, you'll find it here As a tourist I felt safe in this area because I was surrounded by other tourists and it was in a decent neighborhood and it was really, really clean. And although I say surrounded, it wasn't really crowded when I was there which was wonderful. And you can also live there! Well, you have to pay rent or mortgage, I suppose, but if you like it enough you can make it home. When you are in this area you're definitely taken back out of the present and into the past. Yes, there are so many contemporary stores around you, but the architecture is so amazing that it thrusts you into the 1900's. It's beautifully designed and a perfect place to spend a few hours while you're in Toronto. read more

Absolutely beautiful area. Came during heavy snow and the market wasn't quite open but I can imagine how phenomenally magical it would be when this place is bustling with vendors and people. Can't wait to return read more

The Distillery District - Local Flavor Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Checked out the Christmas market and I loved how they set up little shops through the district. Tried some fresh pretzel and a potatoe on the stick while there which were nice on a cold night out. I recommend going at night to see all the lights. Just try and get there early enough to be able to find parking or take the street car read more

National Historic Site of Canada The Distillery District is a charming area with brick-paved streets. I came here early in the morning, before all the restaurants and stores were open. That was ok with me, as I was able to stroll around without the crowds. What I enjoyed most was the love locks - great photo op. read more

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Rustic, Contemporary and trendy vibes all over the place.Great place for dates or for hanging out with family/friends.The whole place gives a vintage feel and filled with great cafes and boutiques. There is lot of artwork around . So make sure you stroll around sipping some coffee. Good place for photoshoots as well. Street parking available and some parking spots with in 10 min walk. Close to St. Lawrence market( 15-20 min walk). read more

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Distill bothering you? Or are you over it now? A wonderful old industrial part of Toronto near the lakeshore, just East of downtown. Pretty and full of new up and coming hipster businesses, they have a winter market here, and the highlight of the neighbourhood is the Brick St Bakery. It's a little chilly here in winter with the wind whipping up and down the cobble streets, and parking is an absolute nightmare. Still a really nice neighbourhood to spend some time in and get some snacks. read more

The Distillery District - Worts n all - Local Flavor Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

In a time when we all went a little bit ot outdoors, and could use a change of scenery, I thought I'd bring a little bit of attention to The Distillery District. If you're walking distance, you should definitely consider grabbing a takeaway coffee and hitting the cobblestones around here. It might not be The Christmas Market as usual this year, but it doesn't mean there's no reason to come to this quaint corner of Toronto. Public art! Wide walking roads! Delicious grab-and-go options! Stay safe and #supportlocal, friends! read more

So... my husband and I checked this place when they had the Toronto Christmas Light Festival in December and it was SUPER BUSY then. It was fun with a lot of small venders outside selling chocolates and winter stuff. We came back today (March), and the place is so dead! The very first thing we noticed was it was hard to spot people on the streets for one, and all the small venders were not there anymore. :( Also the shops have a lot less variety was items in their stores since it's not the holiday season... it's still a fun place to walk around and it's probably busier in the summer, but I think on average, it's an A-Okay. read more

The Distillery District - Local Flavor Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This is a former distillery factory-turned art district, with many interesting statues and art galleries. It's just a short walk from St. Lawrence Market, so my friend and I grabbed some grub to go from there before strolling through the distillery district. There are a lot of interesting pieces of art throughout the area, but when we visited (mid May, a Saturday), we noticed some of the statues were covered up. I wonder if they protect the outdoor artwork from certain weather conditions, although weather conditions were good when we visited. I really enjoyed exploring all the fun shops and cute restaurants. Give yourself a good 2-3 hours if you want to really look at everything. We were also lucky to attend a free concert (SING!) that was going on when we walked by. My personal favorite was the Artscape Distillery Studios, which is a space dedicated to artists working on various subjects of art. I spent a good chunk of time just admiring (and purchasing) some of the more affordable artwork on a grad student budget. Overall, it was a fun experience, and I would definitely recommend this to anyone planning a trip to Toronto. read more

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The Distillery District should definitely be added on your list of things to do if in the Toronto area. Located down the road from St.Lawrence market, it gives you the vibe of an old town market. The cobblestone paths with cute little shops and eateries add to the charm. There is artwork scattered throughout. For the selfie enthusiast there are many cute photo opportunities located throughout. As far as parking goes, I'm not to sure as far as many spots available. Public transportation would be my recommendation on getting here and not worrying about parking. There is multiple places to sit throughout and enjoy time with loved ones and friends. There is also multiple places to grab a sweet treat, a bite to eat, or a tasty beverage. I'm looking forward to coming back and showing friends around this neat lil piece of Toronto. read more

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Winter, Summer, Spring or Fall. Any time of the year is a perfect time to visit The Distillery District! I normally pop into The Distillery District when the Christmas market comes along but I thought why not just take a stroll through tonight. We popped in for some Mexican food at El Catrin and walked around for an hour or so. This time around they had lightened up body figures around the distillery which I thought was neat! If you're looking to go for a nice summer walk with your friends or s/o or want to grab some food and drinks, I'd recommend checking out The Distillery District !! read more

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This is one of Toronto's must see. Cobblestone pathways, historic buildings that's related to the times there were spirits distilled here. We came here over the weekend when they had the "Distillery Turns Yellow" event.. very nice to see alot of stores participating in the support for cancer research. Personally, I have been here at different times of the year, Christmas market is the busiest but has a real magical feel to it with people singing Carol's and hot coco in hand. In terms of food, there's quite a variety of restaurants to check out here. There's the Mill Street brewery with there different brews some of which you can not find in the beer store. There's an oyster bar right beside the brewery as well. And there's El Catrin that has been very popular for torontonians with their Mexican food. And there's flip side donuts with their mini donuts. Overall this place is a gem and always fun walking around. If you're not into the food, check out their stores with one of a kind products, artwork, etc. read more

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A renovated district in Toronto, this use to be the home of the largest distillery in the British Empire....now filled with restaurants, cool boutique shops, a brewery and a sake distillery....the pedestrian only area is a must visit if in Toronto! Definitely worth your time, GO EXPLORE! read more

The Distillery District - Great place to walk around and discover! - Local Flavor Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

The Christmas theme here is awesome. Was fortunate enough that the time I came there weren't any fees to go in. Lots of unique shops here to check out. Dress warm and enjoy the cozy Christmas themed atmosphere the distillery district brings. read more

The Distillery District - Local Flavor Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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The Distillery District is in the space that was formerly known as Gooderham and Worts (once the largest distiller of alcoholic beverages in Canada). Let's slow that down and pause on those last names for a moment. Wow, those would officially be on my not-changing-my-maiden-name-to-your-name-no-way-sorry-baby list. ANYWAY, about 10 years ago, developers reconstructed and repurposed all of these buildings into a place of magic and wonder now known as The Distillery or 55 Mill. When I walked through the 55 Mill gates, there was a segway tour happening with very happy people buzzing by, which paralyzed me a little bit. By the time I got it together enough to take the above photo without the gate in the way, the segway tour had scurried off, but there were still a ton of other happy people muddling around. Whether they were shopping, eating or drinking, EVERYONE was in a good mood. So, I went to find my happiness and YOU KNOW where it was: Soma Chocolatemaker (Building 47). Obviously, there was an immediate and powerful chocolate smell, which was like running into a wall of chocolate. It is a CHOCOLATE LABORATORY with flavors like Almond Cluster Dark Peruvian, Pecan Butter Crunch, and Beurre Noisette. There is no bad at Soma. It was here I had a Bicerin for the first time. A Bicerin (Bee-Cha-Ring) is an amazing Italian drink with melted chocolate, espresso, and whipped cream. It is like the best mocha you have ever had. If you come here, pick up treats for yourself and treats for others. You won't regret it. After buying my own large bag of treats and sipping my Bicerin, I was starting to understand why everyone around me was happy. In my merry haze, I stumbled into the store across the street: Jacob and Sebastian (27 Tank House Lane). Jacob and Sebastian is like the older, richer, fabulous cousin of Sephora... and I LOVE Sephora. The store itself is simple- white walls, simple lighting- and the perfume and cosmetics on each shelf are beautifully merchandised. They have Savon de Marseilles liquids, Malin + Goetz, Mario Badescu Skin Care, ihateperfume, and Muhle Shaving Co. accessories. I just wanted everything. PLUS, they had fantastic music. I heard a Miguel song I have never heard (that I am now addicted to) and another by the band Daughter. Delightful. At Bergo Designs (55 Mill, Next to Soma and Jacob and Sebastian), there were kitchen and home items, watches, jewelry and other other assorted pieces. Just a lot of metallic and shiny well-built things. Oh, and there was Chilewich. There is ALWAYS Chilewich. That should be embroidered on a pillow that sits on every design student's bed or should turned into some pin-able representation. 55 Mill has some great food options as well, but I am just going to talk about one: Brick Street Bakery (55 Mill, To The Left Just As You Pass Through The 55 Mill Gate). With many sandwich options broken out for you into two camps (cold and warm), you can't go wrong no matter what you choose. I read some Yelp reviews while in line and they recommended EVERY sandwich on the menu. I committed to the tuna, which was a large sandwich I could have easily shared with someone else. The sandwiches are on the slightly expensive side to not come with chips, soup, or a salad- but they are so good that you won't care. There is limited outdoor seating, although I found a spot quickly. Even if you end up walking around, it is STILL The Distillery. Absorb your surroundings and be happy. Before I create too much distance between me and Brick Street Bakery, I should highlight their awesome baked goods (go figure, right?). They are just SO yummy! I had a tart that was incredible. There are so many other places to take in here: Pure Spirits Oyster Bar, Lileo, Blue Dot Gallery, for example. You should definitely plan to spend a chunk of time exploring and absorbing. Whatever you do here will make you happy. Promise. read more

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I love the Distillery District!! Yes it is Touristy! Yes it is Overpriced! Yes it can be so Tacky! But it is so pet friendly! It was a sight to see some of the dog were sharing a brunch with their owners at the seating area for The Sweet Escape! Most of the stores down at the Distillery District does welcome small/petite size dogs... thanks so much for letting our little furry friends in.. so we can do some shopping/browsing together! OK, yes I too love the set up and the old rustic buildings in the Distillery District. Now when is it going to be nice and sunny?!! read more

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If you ever want to see Old Toronto and love alcohol, The Distillery District is the perfect place to "elegantly" get drunk. The Distillery District is a whole lot like South Street Seaport in New York--lots of bars, remnants from centuries ago, lots of kiosks and lots of "entertainment." This is a great place to escape downtown nightlife madness but it's also very touristy and very hipster-ish. I don't see much of city remnants from centuries ago and this is considered a gem because shows so much, from the looks of it. There are a lot of boutique clothing shops and definitely a lot of souvenir shops, as expected since it is a tourist spot with a very Tuscany-like setting. Great place to take a walk around and be sure to stop by SOMA for some chocolate and gelato! read more

The Distillery District - Local Flavor Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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It's always nice to walk around the distillery district. It's Christmas market season so all the lights were up & the distillery looked amazing. There was a couple there doing some engagement photos. As hubby & I were walking around we kept seeing them. It was kind of funny. We were in the distillery for the Haunted Walk. I didn't realize how many condos have sprung up in the area. I think there were at least 4 condos there is not more. I think if I worked downtown or near the lakeshore this would be a good place to live. There's a good mix here from families, to singles & couples. read more