Beerbistro

BeerbistroBeerbistro
BeerbistroBeerbistro
Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

18 King St E
Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1C4
Canada

(416) 861-8242 | map
beerbistro.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.37
Reviews:
60
Ratings:
89
pDev:
7.32%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Cycle69:
Photo of Cycle69
Rated by Cycle69 from Canada (ON)

4.98/5  rDev +14%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5

Feb 26, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.61 by vincechan from Canada (ON)

May 10, 2018
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Reviewed by tkarsies from Ohio

4.13/5  rDev -5.5%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Thoughtful draft selection of around 25 taps. Good mix of styles. Nice bottle list plus a cellar list of high-end and aged bottles that I did not try. Reasonable food menu and nice decor. I was there mid-afternoon so not busy. Overall pretty good here for a beer lover
Oct 30, 2017
 
Rated: 3.87 by StormAles from Canada (ON)

Jul 16, 2017
 
Rated: 4.09 by chrisjws from California

May 18, 2017
 
Rated: 4.04 by msondel from Massachusetts

Feb 18, 2017
 
Rated: 4.45 by Bf_89 from Canada (ON)

Jun 05, 2016
 
Rated: 4.79 by Justin82 from Massachusetts

Mar 22, 2016
 
Rated: 4.3 by Keene from Washington

Jan 24, 2016
 
Rated: 4.41 by sherillc from Canada (ON)

Jan 18, 2016
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Reviewed by EMH73 from New York

4.53/5  rDev +3.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
Upscale restaurant/bar. Excellent selection of beers in bottles and on tap, probably a little heavy on Belgian beers. The food was excellent--ate here twice in 3 days. The mussels were among the best I have ever had. Only negative was the mixed drinks--stick with the beer.
Jan 04, 2016
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Reviewed by atigerlife from Hawaii

4.36/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
I was staying practically across the street for a one-night stay in Toronto. Very convenient location. So, stopped in for a drink.

Vibe of the place was of young professionals, very clean and hip. Rather loud, but it was packed [first game of the Blue Jays series]. I sat at the bar.

Service was good if not particularly attentive. But, as I said, it was very busy.

Very nice selection. Served in appropriate glassware. Bartenders seemed knowledgeable and friendly. Food selection seemed fine. I had some fancy type of pizza, which was quite good.

Overall, I would definitely go back if I'm ever in the area again.
Jan 01, 2016
 
Rated: 4.25 by VABA from Virginia

Aug 29, 2015
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Reviewed by jjboesen from Maryland

4.25/5  rDev -2.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
Plopped amidst the Financial District and serving as a beacon for the suit and cellphone crowd, Beer Bistro is a sleek and upscale venue; there is a large, high-ceilinged dining room decorated with beer paraphernalia and a rather small bar near the entrance. Of course, they offer a patio for outdoor quaffing. The selection was impressive (30 drafts)/60 bottles) and offered a good choice of local crafts, such as Nickelbrook and Publican House. They also threw in a few Europeans for fun. The server was being trained during my visit, so I'll go easy. (She was very efficient despite being a tyro.) The food was great - I enjoyed a Reuben sandwich - but served without sides. Huh?

One thing that endeared me: above the urinals vintage beer TV commercials play as you're doing your business. Remember George? he doesn't drink beer. He drinks Piels. (This was not on tap, though)
Jul 30, 2015
 
Rated: 4.39 by kingjohnh from New Mexico

Jun 21, 2015
 
Rated: 4.36 by liamt07 from Canada (ON)

Feb 18, 2015
Photo of AlexBananas
Rated by AlexBananas from Illinois

5/5  rDev +14.4%
Great staff, great selection off brews and some solid food!
Dec 12, 2014
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Reviewed by KATCanada from Canada (ON)

4.5/5  rDev +3%
If you want a good meal with a great beer selection (this is TO's most likely spot for Cantillon ) Beer Bistro is your best bet (Bier Markt is #2). Good selection on tap plus a good cellar. Servers know their stuff. Food is very good. It's a little pricey and there are nights where is is full of the douchey banker set but overall solid. Walking distance from most of the major downtown hotels.
Dec 03, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Soloveitchik from New York

Nov 30, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Canada_Dan from Colorado

Oct 21, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Mr_Rocca from Canada (QC)

Oct 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by tally from California

Sep 13, 2014
Photo of drtth
Reviewed by drtth from Pennsylvania

4.36/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Nice upscale restaurant and bar with a wide selection of beers both bottled and on tap, including several local beers if you are interested in exploring those. Very conveniently located if staying downtown. Food was very good and reasonably priced for a downtown location. The service was excellent and attentive.

Expect to return on my next visit to Toronto.
Jul 27, 2014
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Reviewed by DaveBar from Canada (ON)

3.9/5  rDev -10.8%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Dropped in for breakfast. Eggs benedict. Very good. Matched to a Leffe Brun on tap.

Amazing selection both on tap and in the bottle. WAY pricy. Too pricy. Come on guys please. Take it easy but if you can get it go for it. I just wont go back that's all. The value is not even close to being there.

Treat this place like one that if you can only get something here and no where else because you can get everything else everywhere else for less money.

Guess this place is a meet market after 9pm so count me out on that.
Jul 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by terrec

Jul 11, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by SlightlyGrey from Minnesota

Jul 10, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by DaPan from Canada (ON)

Jun 30, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Trevor_IPA from Canada (ON)

Jun 28, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by Magibeg from Canada (ON)

May 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4.3 by kevinlater from Canada (ON)

Feb 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Hoppy_McGee from Canada (ON)

Feb 15, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by yancot from Canada (ON)

Feb 13, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by Jotora from Canada (ON)

Jan 09, 2014
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Reviewed by MarcatGSB from Michigan

4.18/5  rDev -4.3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Took me a second to locate Beer Bistro as it is located in the main business district of downtown Toronto on the bottom floor of an office building.

It has that vibe as well. It's a large open room with tall ceilings, nice chandeliers, and a very upscale feel.
They have an attractive little glass case right when you walk in the door, featuring some of their big dick beers...And they have some good ones. The beer selection here is one of the best I've seen during my travels. Lots of taps featuring many Canadian beers, with some special imports from the states. They were very excited about some Brooklyn Brewing beer and some Rogue as well. I didn't even think about either of those.

The bottle list was fantastic...the bartender (who happened to be the bar manager) hooked me up with a couple samples on tap, and was very informative about the Toronto beer scene, much appreciated.

Another great Toronto stop. Beer selection is great...food looked good (tried some Frites, which were good), and it's a pretty neat space. Top 5 of Toronto.
Jan 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by toronto_beermaven from Canada (ON)

Dec 11, 2013
 
Rated: 4.13 by AugustusRex from Canada (ON)

Dec 05, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by DuffMan32 from Canada (ON)

Nov 26, 2013
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Reviewed by FEUO from Canada (ON)

3.68/5  rDev -15.8%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3
Corporate/business vibe. Turn off.
Staff was 50/50. Male bartender knew his stuff and was cordial, female was cold and perturbed about god knows what.

Nice to have Cantillon (had the 06 Grand Cru). Bottle selection was very good overall.
Dinner was edible, but not great. Had the southern chicken based on what looked good at another table. Mistake.

I doubt I ever go back. Way too stiff for my tastes.
Aug 07, 2013
Photo of SebD
Reviewed by SebD from Canada (ON)

4.5/5  rDev +3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
I've been here a few time but never actually took the time to do a review so here goes

Atmosphere: This place is very inviting. The bar has a nice open concept with a fairly large dining area outside as well as a lounge area to grab a beer while you're waiting. There's a nice display of beers they have on offer as well as a nice decor. Great atmosphere.

Service: The waiter and waitress that I had were both very knowledgeable and had great recommendations. Exceptional service.

Selection: This bar offers a very great selection of Ontario brews as well as many American and Belgian beers. They only have about 20 beers on taps but have hundreds to choose from when it comes to bottles. There's a great selection of cellared beer also. I got to enjoy a 5 year old bottle of Dogfish Head's Raison d'Extra along with a few more gems.

Food and value: They have a great menu of higher-class cuisine for fairly reasonable prices. The beers are also fairly priced. This is definitely the place to go if you're in Toronto. I will be going back every time I go to Toronto.
May 08, 2013
Photo of woosterbill
Reviewed by woosterbill from Kentucky

4.78/5  rDev +9.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
I'm writing this from the bistro itself, as their free wifi makes possible. I'm in town for a conference located at a hotel just a few blocks away, so this is my third visit to Beerbistro - it's that good (for me at least).

The atmosphere is simultaneously upscale and welcoming, cavernous and cozy. Super high ceilings offset small tables and a few tight nooks, with some large, vaguely Belgian-style beer-themed decorations on the walls. Very new and clean, but still comfortable.

The tap list is fairly limited (20 bottles) but has a good mix of locals and imports across a range of styles. Everything is available in a 300ml tulip or a 500ml pint, with prices being fair - particularly for the neighborhood.

Service has been attentive without being officious, and enthusiastic without being condescending. Just how I like it.

The real reason I've been coming back is the Cantillon selection: Gueuze, Kriek, Rose de Gambrinus, Bruocsella, Lou Pepe Kriek & Framboise, St. Lamvinus, Vigneronne, and Iris. The first four are in 375s for $15-8, and the last five are in 750s for $25-35. Amazingly fair prices (especially on the 750s!), doubly so for a central location in an expensive city.

If you don't like sours, you might prefer another place in Toronto, but if you're a Lambic fan like I am then you won't want to leave.

Cheers!
Mar 30, 2013
Beerbistro in Toronto, ON, Canada
Place rating: 4.37 out of 5 with 89 ratings