Bar Volo

Bar VoloBar Volo
Bar VoloBar Volo
Brewery, Bar, Eatery

587 Yonge St
Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 1Z4
Canada

// CLOSED //

After 28 years of business on the corner of Yonge and Dundonald in Toronto our family received an eviction notice to make way for a new condo development at 587 Yonge St. The last day of business was October 1st, 2016. We are working on re-locating Bar Volo to a new location in the new year. In the meantime you can visit our sister location Birreria Volo located at 612 College St. in Little Italy. Ciao!


barVolo has recently begun brewing house beers on premise, under the guise of House Ales. However they are not always available. Call ahead to confirm.
BEER STATS
Average:
3.71
Beers:
20
Ratings:
48
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.36
Reviews:
59
Ratings:
87
pDev:
6.88%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by woodychandler:
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Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +7.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
Just walking in the door put me in the throes of ecstasy. Right there was a cooler full of fine beers, plus the top of said cooler was loaded with great, spent bottles. Holy Tintin, Batman, I’ve really arrived! The whole place was free-form, with seat yourself seating; an open-air quality with the doors wide; the randomness of the seating area, which was split by a blonde wood divider; and the extremely short bar, which looked more like a wine bar than anything else. I settled for a marble-topped table for two, tangentially overlooking the patio to my right. The breeze kept me alert and the washrooms were to my left, down a flight of stairs. The kitchen was all of the way aft, on the right side.

The selection was amazing! They had so many things that I wanted to try, but many of them were in either bombers or cork-conditioned bottles, any of which would have been too much for this solo traveler at Volo, wearing a bolo (tie). As to the atmosphere – I felt as though I was sitting in a Parisian café circa the 1920’s. I kept awaiting the arrival of members of the Lost Generation, but at least the headwaiter came over to see how I was doing. Pen and ink notebooks have that effect on people. I just sat there, astounded, listening to the great banter among the staff and contemplating a return visit.
Aug 24, 2006
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.75 by mattmarka1 from Minnesota

Sep 07, 2016
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Reviewed by Tsar_Riga from Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75
A rock solid craft beer destination. Nestled in a funky little neighbor off the university, the tap list is great, the cask options unique, particularly for someone from the States where such things are rare, and the bottle list is impressive, if sometimes pricey. It was a friendly place, and I'll look them up in their new digs, hopefully. This is a place you need to visit if you are in Toronto.
Jul 10, 2016
 
Rated: 4.56 by kevinlater from Canada (ON)

Jun 24, 2016
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Reviewed by UrbanCaveman from Ohio

4.09/5  rDev -6.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Located right near the highways in downtown Toronto, this is a quaint little bar, all dark wood, slate, and antiques as far as the eye can see. There's a tap for every letter of the alphabet plus a few, and the selection seems to be well-curated and varied. Service is restricted to going up to the bar to get your beverages, but it's hardly a negative, especially when the bartenders tend to be helpful. I did not try the food, but I did find a spectacular Canadian-brewed hefeweizen. I also didn't bother with the bottle selection, as when I'm out at a bar, it's for the draught experience.

Will definitely return on any subsequent trips to Toronto.
Dec 16, 2015
 
Rated: 4.28 by psweendogg from Connecticut

Sep 25, 2015
 
Rated: 4.64 by beerdrinkr from Canada (ON)

Aug 30, 2015
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Reviewed by jjboesen from Maryland

4.41/5  rDev +1.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Bar Volo gets great reviews and having been here I can now see why. It is a marvelous venue located right on Yonge Street. I stopped by on a quiet Sunday night, my first night in Toronto. There is a busy patio; however, the humidity drove me into the dim and intimate interior and a place near the small corner bar area. There is a chalkboard detailing the draft selection. I enjoyed: their house ESB on cask, Great Lakes Thrust IPA, Nickelbrook Headstock, Black Oak Saisson and O'Keefe Dry irish Stout. Delicious all. (There are water bottles at the bar that allow you to hydrate and cleanse the palate. Good thinking.)
Food-wise, the menu was pretty eclectic; I opted for the filling muffaletto sandwich. The bathrooms are downstairs - past the glass doors to the left of the bar.

A must for any beer lover when in Toronto.
Jul 20, 2015
 
Rated: 4.65 by KidBlast74 from Canada (ON)

Jun 14, 2015
 
Rated: 4.46 by dgilks from Australia

Apr 13, 2015
 
Rated: 4.28 by rale from France

Mar 05, 2015
 
Rated: 4.73 by Cycle69 from Canada (ON)

Feb 26, 2015
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Rated by ABrewtifulMind

4.91/5  rDev +12.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
Ridiculously good - friendly, knowledgable staff, great beer selection. Out of the way for me but completely worth the trip!
Jan 31, 2015
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Rated by HJayS from Michigan

4.44/5  rDev +1.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5
If you find yourself in T.O., go to Bar Volo. A selection of beers as good as anywhere and a great atmosphere.
Dec 24, 2014
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Rated by KATCanada from Canada (ON)

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
Solid choice for beers in the T-Dot. Good selection of Belgians and locals. 30 minute walk from right downtown or easy Subway ride.
Dec 03, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by cam477 from Canada ()

Nov 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by liamt07 from Canada (ON)

Oct 21, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by hunterjames from Canada (ON)

Sep 01, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by denisetodd from Rhode Island

Aug 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by SlightlyGrey from Minnesota

Aug 26, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by mjacquard from Canada (ON)

Aug 03, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by terrec

Jul 11, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Gotti311 from Wisconsin

Jun 18, 2014
 
Rated: 4.1 by AugustusRex from Canada (ON)

Jun 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by hopsolutely from Canada (ON)

May 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Dee13 from Canada (ON)

Feb 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Brendan10 from Canada (ON)

Feb 23, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by yancot from Canada (ON)

Feb 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by toronto_beermaven from Canada (ON)

Dec 11, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by Westvleteren12 from Canada ()

Dec 09, 2013
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Reviewed by MarcatGSB from Michigan

4.65/5  rDev +6.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 5
Dude.

BarVolo stacks up with the best. It is honestly one of the best beer bars I have ever been to.
They have quite a few rotating taps, I'd say about 35 or so, wich 6 or 7 beer engines. Fantastic! Love me a good cask ale now and then. The taplist consists of a mixture of Ontario beers and a few from other Canadian provinces. Just a really nice, well rounded selection. A little short on Stouts, which was surprising seeing how it's November, and beginning to be a bit chilly. They had quite a few APA's and IPA's, which I see isn't just an American thing, even the Canadian's have bought into the hop rage...it's all good. I didn't have any Pale's at all.

Their bottle selection is where it's at. Freaking amazing bottle selection. Things that you will not find anywhere else, aside from some of the really great beer bars around the world.

I didn't try any of the food on my first visit, but I know I will be back and want to give the food a shot, sounds and looks tasty. The service was fine. The bartenders were knowledgeable and friendly...I like the fact that they don't take your order at the table. Don't be a lazy D-Bag and get off your ass to order a freaking drink and a snack, bro! It keeps the staff to a minimal and that means taking up less space and less overheard for this bar.

Will recommend to people I want to visit...all others stay away.
Nov 22, 2013
 
Rated: 5 by Lilwiza from Canada (ON)

Oct 22, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by valianes from Canada (ON)

Oct 16, 2013
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Reviewed by FEUO from Canada (ON)

4.14/5  rDev -5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75
This bar is great, but it would be amazing if located somewhere else in the city. Sitting outside on the patio people watch was entertaining and also depressing, but a good time nonetheless.
The inside is nice but a bit cramped.
Service was pleasant and informative. The menus say to order beer and food at the bar yet the servers came around to pour water and clean up. Why not take orders? Adds additional food traffic around the inside of the bar. No big deal as it was a quiet afternoon when I was there.
Excellent bottle selection but prices were steep. It is downtown T.O. so thats expected I guess.
I doubt I go back as its just too far out of the way from where I normally stay downtown. BarHop is equally good and much closer to most of the hotels.
Oct 15, 2013
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Reviewed by beersnoop from Connecticut

4.38/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3
What a treat for my recent business trip north of the border to Toronto. Bar Volo is my new favorite beer bar in North America, seriously. Granted, part of the appeal is the local (Canadian) selection of beers of all types that I don't find in the USA, but these guys really know their stuff and care about their inventory. I hung out with the owner a bit on one of my visits, too, and he really conveys his passion for this excellent beer bar. Unmissable when in Toronto.
Sep 04, 2013
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Reviewed by 307x from Canada (ON)

3.98/5  rDev -8.7%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3 | selection: 4.75
Great selection with 30 taps of craft beer available. Mostly Ontario but there's a few Quebec brews available as well. I've been here a bunch of times but never had food - so I can't adequately rate it. Service is a bit limited - I've been told a couple of times that there was no wait staff so if I wanted anything I'd have to order from the bar - but when they do have waited tables, the staff is cordial but not brimming with excitement or friendliness. Patio is excellent if you get the end table facing Yonge St to people-watch, but even if not it's a nice covered patio, great for spring and summer months!
Jun 08, 2013
Photo of paulie
Reviewed by paulie from Connecticut

3.76/5  rDev -13.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 3
Nice corner bar with a great beer selection. But I doubt I'll bother going back.

Positives:

Enormous beer selection. Lots of local stuff. Good range of styles on the tap list, including cask ales, ciders, and sour beers. There is something for everyone. Fast service at the bar. Low-key, comfortable atmosphere. Mostly young customers who are lively but not rowdy. Relatively efficient (although not terribly friendly) service.

Negatives:

Very limited food menu, and much of that was "not available tonight". I ended up ordering a burger when I got tired of asking for unavailable things. The place was full but not what I'd call "crowded", yet it took 35 minutes for my burger to show up. Not large, or special, and nothing with it except some olives, for 15 Loonies.

Bottle list is heavy on Belgians. I didn't see much else. And the prices were ridiculous. Sure, some of the stuff is rare. But beer has to be pretty effing amazing to justify $30 - $60 per bottle. And most of the stuff on the blackboard was, indeed, in that range.

There is an outdoor patio where people can smoke. Every time the door opens, the smell of smoke blasts in. Yuck.

Overall, I do like the vibe and the tap selection. But it is overpriced for what you get and not good enough to justify a return trip.
Jan 13, 2013
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Reviewed by EspressoGuy from Canada (BC)

4.94/5  rDev +13.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Thank goodness i googled for cask beers Toronto and came across this place. AMAZING! But that is really based on being fortunate enough to get the one and only seat at the bar and then to be "hosted" by Tomas, co-owner and beer/coffee geek extraordinaire. He was working flat out pouring beers and talking to customers and still made time to tell me all about their AMAZING "nano-brewery" and more importantly to offer tastes. I wish the info about the beers was on their website but it's not so feel lucky just to taste them at the time. My visit this time included -- and excuse me if I don't have all the details right; we were chatting across the bar -- a FANTASTIC brun that was aged in wine barrels for 6 months and a equally good Berlinerweisse. So many taps, so little time. I don't give a rating of 5 very easily but really this may be the best beer bar I've every visited -- or at least equal to Hair of the Dog in Portland. And if you're into good coffee too don't forget to ask for his recommendations. He knows his stuff!
Sep 25, 2012
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Reviewed by ThickNStout from Georgia

4.03/5  rDev -7.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5
A nice little corner bar just up from Dundas square. My wife and I stopped by after dinner. They have an outstanding tap selection of local Canadian craft beer with a couple on cask. A few of them are even brewed in house. The 16+ taps are augmented by an extensive bottle list. Prices are quite reasonable. We went Tuesday evening when it really wasn't busy but often felt forgotten by the server. Other than that it was a great little bar with a nice outdoor patio section and unparalleled selection. If you're in Toronto and can spare a moment, this is a worthwhile stop.
Jun 13, 2012
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Reviewed by peensteen from Canada (ON)

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Can't say enough good things about this place. By far the best tap selection in the city and for the most part is made up of offerings not available in stores. Usually about 3 cask offerings from around Ontario with the odd Quebec or Fullers offering. The House Ales they brew on site are all interesting and for the most part very good. They get the best offerings from Great Lakes (ONT) that no other bar in the city gets. Impressive bottle list that includes a wide selection of styles that includes some rare and harder to find bottles. The owner is very friendly and will chat and have a beer with you, the staff are all friendly and knowledgeable. They also host some great events as well, tap takeovers and themed evenings. It does get a little busy here on the weekends and sometimes the service can be on the slow side but that is to be expected. Pretty solid menu, the pizza and veal burgers are delicious also a few good looking pasta dishes. Hands down the place to go for good beer in Toronto. Also, 5 dollar pints on Mondays.
Feb 16, 2012
Bar Volo in Toronto, ON, Canada
Brewery rating: 3.71 out of 5 with 48 ratings