The Best Beer-Buying Spots In Toronto

If you're looking to buy beer in Toronto, there are several options available to you. In Ontario, there are two main outlets for purchasing alcohol: The Beer Store and The Liquor Store or LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario). You can also order beer online from The Beer Guy for delivery within a couple of hours. Additionally, there are several grocery stores in downtown Toronto that sell beer, including Loblaws, Food Basics, and Longos. Toronto is also home to a number of craft breweries with bottle shops, such as Burdock, Bellwoods, Bandit, and Halo. These independent businesses often have extended opening hours, making it convenient to purchase beer in the city.

Grocery stores that sell beer in downtown Toronto

Grocery stores are a convenient option for purchasing beer in downtown Toronto, especially if you want to avoid the long lines at the LCBO or Beer Store. While not every supermarket in the city sells beer, there are several downtown locations that offer a range of beer options alongside your groceries. Here are some of the grocery stores that sell beer in downtown Toronto:

Loblaws

Loblaws is one of the major grocery chains in Toronto that sell beer. There are several Loblaws locations downtown where you can find beer, including Leslieville, Queen West, and at Christie and Dupont streets. Additionally, the Loblaws at 380 The East Mall and 17 Leslie St were among the initial grocery stores licensed to sell beer in the Greater Toronto Area.

Longos

Longos is another grocery store chain where you can find beer. The Longos location on York St is currently the only downtown location selling beer, but there are other locations outside of downtown Toronto, such as 3455 Wyecroft Rd and 469 Cornwall Rd, that also offer beer.

Metro

Metro is a go-to option for beer purchases in downtown Toronto. You can find beer at their locations on Yonge St (16640 Yonge St) and Kennedy Cir (1050 Kennedy Cir). The Metro stores at 1822 Whites Rd, 500 Edinburgh Rd S, and 3201 Strandherd Dr, which are outside of downtown Toronto, also sell beer.

Real Canadian Superstore

The Real Canadian Superstore chain has multiple locations across Toronto that sell beer. In downtown Toronto, you can find beer at their store on Guelph St (171 Guelph St). Other locations outside of downtown include 18120 Yonge St, 51 Gerry Fitzgerald Dr, 2549 Weston Rd, 875 Highland Rd W, 1205 Oxford St, and 4371 Walker Rd.

Sobeys

Sobeys is another grocery store where you can purchase beer. The Sobeys location at 15500 Bayview Ave is one of the initial stores licensed to sell beer in the Greater Toronto Area. Other Sobeys stores selling beer outside of downtown Toronto include 11700 Yonge St, 977 Golf Links Rd, 700 Terry Fox Dr, 840 March Rd, 193 Metcalfe St, 1200 Lansdowne St W, 501 Towerhill Rd, and 307 Grand River St N.

Other Options

In addition to the major grocery chains, there are a few other grocery stores in downtown Toronto that sell beer. These include the Food Basics location at Dupont and Lansdowne and the Galleria Supermarket on York Mills Rd (865 York Mills Rd).

It's important to note that while these locations have confirmed selling beer, not all stores within the same chain may be licensed to sell. Additionally, the selection of beer at these grocery stores may vary, and some unique or rare beers may be more easily found at specialty stores like the LCBO or Beer Store. Nonetheless, with the convenience of purchasing beer alongside your groceries, these downtown Toronto grocery stores offer a practical option for beer enthusiasts.

Craft breweries and bottle shops

Toronto has a thriving craft beer scene, with many breweries and bottle shops to choose from. If you're looking for a casual meal with friends, paired with a few pints of craft beer and the option to take some beer home with you, there are several popular spots to consider.

Bandit Brewery

Located in the city's west end, Bandit Brewery is always buzzing and a great place to hang out. You can also stop by their small bottle shop to pick up their beloved beers to take home. The shop is open daily from 11 am to 11 pm.

Bellwoods Brewery

Bellwoods Brewery has two locations in Toronto: one on Ossington Avenue and the other on Hafis Road. The bar and bottle shop have different hours, so be sure to check their website before you go. They offer an updated list of what's in stock on their website, and you can also pick up branded merchandise like toques, t-shirts, hoodies, and beer totes.

Indie Ale House Brewing Co.

With two locations in the city, Indie Ale House Brewing Co. offers a variety of craft beers and a casual dining experience. Their bottle shop allows you to take your favourite beers home with you in 2-liter growlers and 500-milliliter bottles. They also offer branded beer glasses, t-shirts, and other merchandise.

Left Field Brewery

Left Field Brewery's bottle shop offers their best brews in cans, bottles, and larger 750-milliliter swing-top growlers. Keep in mind that the swing tops need to be kept cold and consumed within five days. Check their website or Facebook page for the latest beer offerings.

Rorschach Brewing Co.

With two locations in Toronto, Rorschach Brewing Co. offers a range of craft beers. Their bottle shop hours vary, so be sure to check their website before you go. They also have a taproom where you can enjoy a pint if you're looking for a place to hang out.

Amsterdam Brewery and Amsterdam BrewHouse

With two locations in the city, Amsterdam offers a convenient way to stock up on your favourite beers. You can find 473-milliliter cans, 355-milliliter bottles, seasonal brews, growlers, and kegs to suit your needs.

The Bodega

The Bodega is Toronto's online bottle shop, featuring some of the top brewers from around the world. They started as a craft beer import agency and have now become a full-service brewing and brand-building company. The Bodega offers a private beer club called Cold Tea, which grants members access to exclusive product releases and events.

Beer delivery services

If you're looking for beer delivery services in Toronto, there are a few options to choose from. The Beer Store is a popular choice, with several locations across the city, including Donlands and O'Connor, Bloor and Spadina, and the Financial District. They offer a drive-thru service and have recently added digital menu boards for a more convenient ordering experience. You can also find beer at grocery stores like Longos and Loblaws, which have multiple locations in downtown Toronto.

In addition to physical stores, there are online delivery services like The Beer Guy, which delivers beer, liquor, and wine within a couple of hours. They have a wide selection of Canadian beer companies to choose from, and you can place your order by phone. 99 Bottles is another option, offering a licensed café and boutique shop experience. They sell beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as snacks and easy-to-prepare meals.

Toronto is also home to several craft breweries with bottle shops, such as Burdock, Bellwoods, Bandit, Halo, and Left Field. These independent businesses often have extended opening hours, making them a convenient choice for last-minute purchases. Some grocery stores across the province also sell wine, beer, and cider, providing a one-stop shop for all your Canada Day (or any day) celebration needs.

Beer, wine and spirits shops

Toronto has a variety of beer, wine, and spirits shops to choose from. The Beer Store is a well-known option, with multiple locations across the city, including Donlands and O'Connor, Bloor and Spadina, and Ryerson. These stores offer a range of beer, wine, and spirits, and some locations even have a drive-thru and extended holiday hours.

In addition to The Beer Store, there are several grocery stores in Toronto that sell beer. For example, Loblaws has three locations downtown that sell beer, including Leslieville, Queen West, and Christie and Dupont streets. Other grocery stores selling beer include Longo's at York St and Food Basics at Dupont and Lansdowne.

For those looking for a wider selection of alcoholic beverages, including wine and spirits, Toronto has several options. 99 Bottles, located at 925 Kingston Road, is a licensed café and boutique shop offering beer, wine, spirits, and a variety of snacks. Additionally, there are several craft breweries with bottle shops, such as Burdock, Bellwoods, Bandit, Halo, and Left Field, which often stay open until 11 p.m. seven days a week.

For wine lovers, Toronto has dedicated wine shops like Wine Rack, The Wine Shop, and Magnotta stores. And for those seeking spirits, there are local distilleries like Yongehurst and Spirit of York, which sell rum, grappa, vodka, and gin. So, whether you're looking for a quick beer run or a more specialized alcoholic beverage, Toronto has a variety of shops to meet your needs.

Supermarkets and convenience stores in Quebec

In Quebec, Canada, beer and wine can be purchased from grocery stores and small convenience stores. However, in the rest of Canada, the purchase of beer and liquor is restricted to specialised stores.

In Toronto, Ontario, for example, beer can be purchased from "The Beer Store" and the "Liquor Control Board of Ontario" (LCBO). Multiple locations of these stores can be found across the city, including in the downtown core, the Financial District, and the Entertainment District.

In addition to these specialised stores, there are also grocery stores in Toronto that sell beer, such as Loblaws, Food Basics, and Longos. However, not all locations of these grocery stores sell beer, and it is recommended to confirm before visiting.

For those looking for a wider selection of craft beers, Toronto is also home to numerous breweries and bottle shops, including Burdock, Bellwoods, Bandit, Halo, and Left Field, among others. These independent businesses often have extended opening hours, providing a convenient option for last-minute purchases.

Frequently asked questions