Valentine’s season is upon us. Yes, like Boxing Day, which became Boxing Week, and is now edging into Boxing Month, I foresee that Holiday Creep will also over take Valentine’s Day. So, my friends, waste no energy fighting the inevitable. Soon, we will be subject to leering cupid cutouts and lurid red crepe paper for weeks at a time, with Valentine’s Month starting right after the last day of New Year’s Month.
I have seen the winds of change and feel I would be remiss if I only reviewed only a single place for Valentine’s Day and gave it a stamp of romance approval. I, therefore, took it upon myself to go on not one, but several, dates (as you might imagine, this caused some tension, but I live to serve). I’m also aware that some (many? most?) lawyers are single, so I offer some suggestions as to how those unencumbered folks might wish to pass the evening. So — a list of nearby options for your post-work Valentine’s Day drinks date.
Best place to impress
Dark, smoky BarChef is sure to have him/her gazing at you in awe. Located on Queen St., it’s noteworthy for its molecular cocktails, and at $45, the vanilla hickory smoked Manhattan (involving a hand-chipped ball of ice, open flame, a bell jar and smouldering hickory embers) is worth every penny. Heads-up: you’ll also be on the hook for dry cleaning as aforementioned open flame/smouldering embers will leave you smelling like you spent the night at Scout Camp.
Best place to drown your sorrows (on a budget)
No question: The Strathcona Hotel. With décor reminiscent of Eric Foreman’s basement and a clientele of steelworkers and alcoholic middle managers, this subterranean bar is the kind of place where everyone shares your pain and no one asks any questions. And the beer is cheap.
Best place to drown your sorrows (on an expense account)
Suits, in the Trump Tower. With wine that rings in at $29/glass, be sure to take a client so you can write the first few rounds off as business development.
Best place to be seen
Despite their banal monikers, The Bar and The Lobby Lounge, are actually the high-end watering holes at the Shangri-La Hotel. The Lounge is notable for its cavernous space, large windows, piano player and fireplace. You can sit in The Lounge with your sweetie and wait to be noticed, or sit at the hip bar and rub elbows with others who are also there, waiting to be seen. That way, you can each notice each other. Win-win.
Best place to take someone who’s not your spouse/significant other
Wood panelling, hushed tones, and wingback chairs of The Library Bar in the Fairmont Royal York provide privacy. And there’s a hotel right upstairs. And — it’s Ashley Madison approved.
Best place to meet your future husband
For women – I admit to being a bit out of my depth here, but I have it on good authority the latest place is Joey’s. With its strategically hip locale atop the Eaton Centre, the place is packed and the crowd is young, urban and professional. Less adolescent than Earl’s but not quite as silver fox-ish as Vertical, I’m told there are reasonable husband candidates here.
For men – A popular hangout in both summer and winter, Hair of the Dog pub is a more staid community hub than generic Church St. club. It’s has a loyal clientele and many of the community sports types, from lean ultimate Frisbee players to sweaty rugby lads, loiter here. It’s has a friendly vibe that makes it easy to chat up the fellow at the table next to you.
Best place to meet your future wife
For men – Again, I’m a bit out of my depth, but I polled a representative sample of single straight male co-workers. The future wife question seemed to stump them, but they seemed to think future wives were to be found at OBA conferences and Advocates’ Society dinners. Gentlemen, you disappoint.
For women – There’s a smattering of places throughout the city, mostly in the west end, but the buzziest place right now is Toastr. It’s actually more of an event than a place, as it is held once a month in the Riverside Pub.
Best place to just be quietly single
Joe, the bartender, at The Rooftop Lounge at the Park Hyatt Hotel, has been behind the bar for 50 years and has seen it all. He keeps his job by not blabbing about it…but that doesn’t mean you can’t join him and watch the hoi polloi roll by. He’s the kind of bartender everyone needs – he never fails to tell you you’re pretty and makes you feel special by putting an extra cherry in your fancy cocktail. The people watching is excellent and ranges from Yorkville dowagers to Liberal leadership wannabes.
Kirsten Thompson is a Toronto-based research lawyer and commercial litigator. Since her call to the bar in 2000, she estimates that her restaurant to courtroom ratio has been approximately 14:1. Thoughts? Comments? Ideas for a review? Email her. Follow Judge Foodie on Twitter: @Judge_Foodie
Photo: Studio-Annika via iStockphoto