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Watson's

4.4 (45 reviews)
ModerateCocktail Bars
Closed 6:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

Watson's Photos

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WATSON'S ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Loud
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Watson's

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Reviews With Photos

Valerie P.

Watson's is a chill, somewhat upscale bar that's perfect for a laid-back evening. The interior is dark yet very pretty, creating a nice atmosphere for hanging out. The service was super nice; they were really helpful when it came to picking out drinks, which were all yummy, though I'll admit the service was a bit slow. The grilled cheese was incredible--cheesy with perfectly toasty bread, and the caramelized onions added just the right touch of sweetness . We also had some popcorn that was sprinkled with Parmesan bits, and it was quite good. Overall, Watson's is a great find for a cocktail bar that serves good drinks and yummy snacks.

Michelle V.

Came here for drinks with a small group on a Saturday night. We had advance reservations so we sat along the couches in our own area to the right of the entrance. All of the drinks were delicious and presented in an elevated way. It was probably the best old fashioned I've ever had, according to my preferences. The space gives off a bit of nightclub vibes since the music was blasting and people danced here and there. The only downside was the wait between drinks was incredibly long, around 40 minutes per round. Our server apologized for the hecticness in the end of the night. Overall I enjoyed the drinks here but it's definitely a place to chill if you have a few hours instead of barhopping.

Cocktail options June 2023
Cin C.

We were vising our old stomping grounds and stumbled on this gem by chance. We count ourselves lucky we don't live in the area anymore as this would have become our weekly stop at any minor inconvenience in our lives. We came early in the evening where there was still light out, but we imagine this place being very popular once the sun sets. The decor is fun and inviting, the service and staff are lovely and the drinks are both delicious and artistically crafted. We had the Manhattan to Birmingham and the Anthropologist. Both had distinct but lovely flavor profiles. The Anthropologist was light but creamy, with a subtle hint of citrus. The Manhattan to Birmingham was dark, smokey and slightly herbal. Very different but I would recommend both. Definitely stop by for a drink!

Celia Z.

Drinks were delicious! Food was great! And ambiance was fun! This might be one of my go to bars moving forward. The music was great the whole time. It's a bit loungy chill vibe which I love. And just a good place to hang out with friends

Samantha S.

Watson's was amazing! The ambiance, food, and service. There was only one bartender and one chef and the bartender was so awesome. Working in customer service myself, I did have the urge to help him, but he didn't break a sweat. He was still pleasant and gave great service. I will be back next time I'm in town!

Pisco sour

The ambiance is chill and inviting. Food is great and service is spot on, thank you Ali for the drinks! Check this spot out and they have full service until 2am!

Tacos
Arvid Y.

While waiting for a table at a popular speakeasy bar (After Seven), my friend and I were passing the time bar hopping along Queen St. This was our second stop after The Friar (Firkin) and our favorite bar of the night. The atmosphere was laid back, the music was good (90s & 00s), the service was attentive, the drinks were delicious and the food was also amazing. That Friday night, they had a taco chef making fresh tacos barside. I was a bit skeptical about bar tacos North x 2 of the border, but they were good. The drinks were outstanding as well. It's a shame I didn't take any pictures, but I do remember the Epsom's Finest being quite refreshing. Our waitress was quite attentive and friendly. Overall a great experience, so much so that we didn't want to leave when After Seven texted us about an open table. Looking back, the drinks and atmosphere at After Seven were lackluster compared to Watson's. We definitely had more fun at Watson's and I would return in a heartbeat.

Octopus - was ok
Anthony C.

Checked out Watson's with a few friends we ordered some drinks and food. Watson's is kind in a no-mans land part of Richmond and not the easiest to get to. Small place, nice ambiance but kinda loud and it was hard to hear eachother. They had a small food menu with tapas style plates. We ordered the Octopus which was on top an avocado puree. There was a matcha "W" on the plate to dab the octopus in to give it a bitter note. Wasn't bad but the puree was flavourless and didn't add anything to the dish. I did like how they cut The octopus into pieces which made it easier for sharing. We also ordered a dozen oysters that came with 2 sauces a tomatillo and spicy sauce. Oysters were fresh but on the small side. We could of skipped this. Also the Watson ceviche with shrimp and sea bass. There were good size pieces of shrimp but didn't really notice the sea bass. The ceviche could have been more acidic. It didn't really seem like a ceviche. We ordered the sliders, not really a fan of those. It was like a pulled pork and the sweetness balance was off. I ordered the Molotito Brisket, which was like a burrito, and I liked it. It had substance. For what it was it was and when it was all said and done it was on the pricey side for what we got. I wouldn't rush back any time soon.

Alekhya M.

Amazing cocktails, probably the best we've had in this city. The bartender is an artist with our drinks as you can see from the pictures. Very cozy, intimate spot which you can easily miss on Richmond but so glad we found our way our way here. Our waiter Sina was amazing and super friendly. We even got a picture with him because he was a nice and personable guy. The restroom wallpapers are funny and the entire place has quirky wallpaper. We got patata brava for snacking. It was great but a little under seasoned. Overall, we will return for the great cocktails and our friend Sina.

Faiza K.

What a great find! I'm so sad that I didn't discover this bar sooner but grateful they survived so far through the pandemic. Plenty of bar seats, a couple of comfy sofas at the front area and a good amount of seating to make it feel lively and cosy (when I imagine it full pre pandemic times) Sunday/Monday are Nick a shuck nights with 1/2 price bottles of wine. There is also a small food menu and a very interesting drink menu. Unique ingredients, fun combinations, and a tiki glass with a potato star chip decoration...! The decor is stunning..beautiful paintings/murals (I really wish I had taken photos but was busy scarfing down those oysters lol). Service was amazing! We wanted to order the octopus from the menu but unfortunately it wasn't available so they gave us chips/salsa for free. The bartender was so nice and polite and said Watson's is the place where other bartenders come to enjoy a drink. He also mentioned plans to open up another location soon! I will definitely be back here to once again enjoy this gem!

Michelle M.

Easy 5 stars. They follow through with reservations in a timely manner, the drinks were awesome and great music in the background for a Friday night. Do yourself a favour and order the Soho Garden (if you are a fan of citrus).

a drink with a straw and a raspberry garnish
Jenelle C.

LITERALLY SOME OF THE BEST TACOS I'VE EVER HAD! Had to put that in caps to get my point across lol. Every taco I tried was just a piece of heaven. I tried the shrimp, birria, and chorizo and all were just chef's kiss. The chips and guac and salsa were absolutely delicious. The drinks were also amazing. Our waiter whose name I wish I remembered was the best - so attentive and friendly. I would one thousand percent come back here for a date night or with the gals again. It is a cocktail bar so the menu is limited but the items they do have on their menu are so delicious. Try it out!

Cindy L.

A great night spent at Watson's! A couple of the dishes were really good- one of the tacos and the guac. And some of drinks were really well balanced. More like a 4/5 but bumping to a 5/5 cuz we had a great server and awesome spot at the cocktail bar. Would definitely be a great spot to be a regular at and have a night cap if you live in the neighbourhood - good vibes only

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This was my first bar ever and it was amazing!!! Seneca was so nice and recommended some bomb ass drinks. I.T was lit 10/10

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Watson's Reviews in Other Languages

Review Highlights - Watson's

Although the have a small food menu, each food item was exceptionally tasty.

Mentioned in 3 reviews

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LIBRARY BAR - Close, But No Cigar

LIBRARY BAR

(160 reviews)

$$$

Financial District, Downtown Core

I would go back again in a heartbeat. This was one of the best meals and experiences of the year…read more The shaved prime rib steak with the dipping au jus plus French onion soup as an appetizer... this was phenomenal. Every aspect from the sauce to the baguette to the meat was so tasty. I also recommend getting the garlic aoli for the fries. The drinks were very well done and unique in flavor as well, in particular I tried to the midnight show which was like a raspberry espresso martini. It was fantastic. The ambiance of the place is spectacular as well with a cool, library naturally, vibe. The servers were also great and helped accommodate my date who is gluten free, and her baguette replacement was the best that she'd ever had of a gluten free option. All in all top tier experience start to finish.

This cocktail bar inside Fairmont Royal York Hotel has a nice classy ambiance. It feels like…read morestepping into a movie set, with the iconic clock tower. They decorate the lobby, bar area, and the whole main floor with Christmas decorations during the holiday season, including the giant Christmas tree in the lobby (complete with its own lighting ceremony and live music performance). Good selection of drinks and great customer service. Fun facts: The Royal York Hotel opened in 1929. It hosted royalty, heads of state, and golden-age Hollywood legends like Cary Grant and Alfred Hitchcock when they were in town filming or staying upstairs in the hotel. Stepping inside is like time-traveling back decades, with velvet seating, brass accents, and dark, moody lighting. As soon as you walk into the Library Bar, the real centerpiece that grabs your attention is the massive oil portrait above the fireplace. That dignified gentleman watching you sip your drink is George Locke, the very first chief librarian of the Toronto Public Library. I love that a librarian is the patron saint of this bar! The drinks here aren't just cocktails; they're chapters in a story. The current menu, titled "Ink & Alchemy," is actually inspired by Michael Ondaatje's famous novel In the Skin of a Lion. Created by their award-winning mixologist James Grant, the menu is a tribute to the people who built this city: the immigrants, bridge-builders, thieves, and dreamers. You aren't just sipping a martini; you're drinking a liquid homage to Toronto's history.

Cactus Club Cafe - Crispy yam fries, chicken sliders and another peach Bellini

Cactus Club Cafe

(693 reviews)

$$

Financial District, Downtown Core

This was not our first time at a Cactus Club but this was the first time at this one. As expected…read moreit did not disappoint. It was a Sunday night , the day after Valentine's Day and it was packed. Good thing we had reservations. Despite how busy it was we were seated right away and our server Sarah was an absolute gem. Our drinks came out quickly and well made. They have a great wine list and we took advantage of it. So, ambience - check. Service - check. But it was the food that blew us away I started with the Wagyu carpaccio that emma's to die for. Just perfect with the crostinis. The my wife had the avocado bowl with salmon and I had the mushroom striploin. Both meals just freaking delicious- these folks have it down to a science and the food was off the charts. Some people may disagree because it's a chain restaurant but when they hit on all cylinders, which they have every time we've been there, it's awesome. Cactus Club - highly highly recommended. Ask for Sarah - she is amazing.

One of the gold standards of casual dining meets elegant ambiance…read more Date Night - Cactus Club Work lunch/Dinner - Cactus Club Drinks - Cactus Club It's a one size fits all if you want an elevated dining experience where you feel taken care of. Of course it comes with a price tag, but those willing to participate will get themselves many brownie points. Food/Drink is always consistent on each visit. Staff are typically very friendly. You also don't feel judged by anyone when you're in the place cause there's so many different crowds that come here for the vibes. You'll mostly see the Finance crowd since it is in the heart of financial district, but there's all types that come eat here cause it's just so consistently good. Steak & Frites w/ a glass of wine - 8/10 Angus Burger - 8/10 Ravioli - 8/10

Black+Blue Toronto - Lobster Vongole

Black+Blue Toronto

(109 reviews)

Financial District, Downtown Core

I had the pleasure of being treated to a birthday dinner at Black + Blue, in the heart of the…read morefinancial district and the entire experience was nothing short of exceptional. Ambiance: Stunning from the moment you walk in. Despite the soaring ceilings and two-level layout, the space still feels intimate thanks to the dim, romantic lighting. We loved being seated beside each other rather than across from one another, an option I appreciated compared to the large half-moon booths in the centre of the room. Tables line the perimeter and upper level, while small trees with twinkling lights frame the booths, adding a whimsical, almost magical touch. A window displaying the cuts of steak was a fun and enticing detail. Appetizers & Mains: Every bite impressed. The seafood atop each piece of nigiri was incredibly fresh and buttery, literally melting in your mouth. The lobster mashed potatoes were an indulgent and unforgettable accompaniment to the perfectly tender steaks, which were thoughtfully presented tableside before cooking. Dessert: We saved room (and I'm so glad we did!) My cheesecake arrived beautifully plated with a candle and birthday message, while my boyfriend enjoyed the butter cake. Both were absolutely delicious and the perfect ending to the meal. Service: Every team member we encountered went above and beyond to make the evening feel special, but a heartfelt shout-out goes to our charming server, Vig. He was attentive, warm, and genuinely invested in ensuring each moment felt intentional and unique. He also shared enticing reasons to return for lunch, happy hour, and weekend brunch (options we had no idea the restaurant offered). Thoughtful Touches: From coat check, a welcome birthday cocktail, a personalized birthday card from the staff, to complimentary bubbly with dessert, every detail was thoughtfully considered. Both of us work in the area and will absolutely be spreading the word with our teams. I left feeling like a very lucky lady after such a memorable birthday celebration. We can't wait to return!

Amazing food, vibe and service…read more Definitely recommend trying it out especially during the holidays.

After Seven - The green house

After Seven

(65 reviews)

Downtown Core

There is a particular pleasure in discovering a bar that requires you to earn your entrance. After…read moreSeven conceals itself behind an ice cream counter, its existence betrayed only by those who know to ask -- a conceit that could easily feel gimmicky but instead lands with genuine charm, setting the tone for what follows with quiet confidence. The room is small, intentional, and lovely: intimate seating, a sculptural emerald bar, and an atmosphere drawn from the Japanese cocktail tradition. The aesthetic is precise without being cold, and the candle-warm lighting encourages exactly the kind of unhurried conversation that a well-made cocktail deserves. But the bartenders are the true heart of the place. On the evening of my visit, the two behind the bar moved with a remarkable synchrony -- finishing each other's thoughts, trading warmth and wit in equal measure, drawing guests effortlessly into the orbit of their easy rapport. It is the kind of hospitality that cannot be trained into existence; it is either present or it isn't, and here it is very much present. The cocktail menu is East Asian in its inspiration and genuinely inventive in its execution.

such a hidden gem and speakeasy in toronto!! we went on a late weekday so we did not have to fill a…read morereservation, and instead was able to get seated right away at the bar area as we walked in. this place seems to specialize in asian flavoring, so drinks may taste umami on top of the sweetness and alcoholic taste of the drinks. i appreciate the art and tedious mixture of the drinks we had! this place was dimly lit and served the perfect vibe for me and my partner to chat, enjoy our beverages, and take cute pictures.

LOUIX LOUIS - NY trips frites

LOUIX LOUIS

(173 reviews)

$$$

Downtown Core

Perched high above the bustle of downtown Toronto, LOUIX LOUIS makes a compelling first impression…read more The dining room is genuinely handsome -- a study in polished Art Deco glamour softened by sweeping city views that lend every table a sense of occasion. On a Valentine's Day brunch visit, the atmosphere alone was enough to justify the reservation. The kitchen demonstrates genuine competence: dishes arrive with care, the pacing is unhurried, and the mise en scène -- from tableside presentation to that now-famous thirteen-layer chocolate cake -- reveals an establishment that understands the theatre of fine dining. That towering slice of chocolate cake, in particular, is a masterstroke of marketing and pastry craft in equal measure; it draws the eye, earns its reputation, and very nearly steals the show. Where LOUIX LOUIS gives one pause is in the cuisine's ability to fully match its surroundings. The cooking is accomplished and reliably pleasant, yet seldom rises to the level of genuine distinction one might hope for at this price point. Dishes satisfy without surprising; technique is evident but inspiration, at moments, feels held in reserve. For the corporate traveller or the visitor seeking a polished, geographically convenient showcase of the city's skyline, this represents an entirely sound choice. For those seeking an experience whose flavours linger as long as the view, the kitchen has room yet to grow into its magnificent stage. Service is attentive and well-intentioned, though it can occasionally want for the depth of knowledge that elevates a good meal into a memorable one. LOUIX LOUIS is, in sum, a very good restaurant striving -- not quite yet arriving -- at greatness. The bones are exceptional; one hopes the culinary vision will, in time, catch up with them.

My boyfriend took me here for our anniversary and it was memorable to say the least. This…read morerestaurant is located in upstairs on the 31st floor of the St. Regis hotel. Coming in, it felt very luxurious. To be honest I was a little nervous because I came in feeling out of place as it is not somewhere I would eat casually, but the waitress that assisted us was so kind! We came strictly for cake as we had eaten right before, but we took a peek at the winterlicious menu, and the prices looked super affordable! We ordered the cake and yes, it maybe just be a tall slice of cake, but it was moist and decadent and probably my favourite cake. Overall, if you are a chocolate cake fanatic, this is the place to go!

Watson's - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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