This is the first of a new feature on KarmaCake, are you excited!?
Well hold on to your hats, Kiddies!! Because throughout the summer I'll be profiling a number of Toronto lounges, restaurants and bars that are perfect to spend gorgeous summer nights or lazy hazy summer days. And, of course in true KarmaCake fashion, I'll also list the misses with some disses while saving the kisses for the best.
So get your summer togs on the ready because today we are going to hit a teensy tiny little hot spot called MiniBar!
Located a hop skip and a jump from Dundas Square at 107 Mutual Street (Mutual & Dundas), MiniBar is aptly named! With enough space to seat maybe 20-30 people, it is a diminuitive martini lounge with a rooftop patio that scores high on style, atmosphere and, of course, amazing staff.
I must say that the family that owns and operates the iconic The Mutual Street Deli (103 Mutual Street) did a great job in opening MiniBar on their rear end of their restaurant. Ryerson students know Mutual Street Deli very well if only for their quarter chicken dinner, salad and drink for less than $6. And, if price is a factor, let me say, that trend extends to MiniBar's price list as well!
Being the trooper that I am, I sampled a cornocopia of delicious martinis & cocktails to test the expertise of their mixologist/bartender/manager, April. This woman delivered! This woman has skills to mix some of the most drinkable concoctions that ever graced my lips. Martinis were refreshing & delightful from their Sour Apple straight on down to their Blue Devil. Cocktails were perfectly combined. April even mixed me a Mojito that didn't make me cringe with disgust, still it isn't my favorite drink, but, I could've done it, because April made it not so repellent. How? I know!! Mojitos are so unpleasant to consume!! But, I tell you, April is wicked! This bar is wicked! Then finally we capped it all off with a caramel apple shot because after that mojito, I needed something sweet.
So what's the decor?! Well imagine, a warm summer evening kissed with a light breeze teasing the white linen fabric that annoints the perimeter of the rooftop patio. The space crosses a 21st century Island retreat with a very modern ale house and you can tell that comfort played high on the designer's scheme. You feel comfortable to lounge, you feel comfortable to strike up conversations with people you don't know, you just feel great at MiniBar.
Are there downsides? Yes, there are no snacks. But, when we mentioned this to staff they did supply us with some tortilla chips and dip. They also asked what we would like to nosh on, so obviously the menu is evolving at MiniBar.
So in the end for an area that's not known to be the trendiest local in the T dot, MiniBar ads an effervescent twist that, like their cocktails, are surprisingly refreshing and invite you back for more.
MiniBar
107 Mutual Street
(416) 203-2274
Atmosphere: ***
Mixology: ***
Date Spot: Perfect Spot for a first date (just eat before you go!)
Price: Martinis $7; Cocktails $6
Parking: Park at the Green P at Dundas & meander on over about 5 minutes east.
Pictures coming soon, because I will be going back!
If you've checked out MiniBar, please add your comments!