Seven of the city’s best baby-friendly bars

Seven of the city’s best baby-friendly bars

According to Jennifer Keesmaat, Toronto is in the midst of a mini baby boom, which means we’re going to have shift city planning efforts to make room for our littlest citizens. Knowing that moms (or dads or caretakers) still need access to a good drink now and then, these bars are ahead of the game in accommodating our growing population.

Left Field Brewery

36 Wagstaff Ave., 647-346-5001, leftfieldbrewery.ca

A photo posted by Left Field Brewery (@leftfieldbrewery) on Feb 24, 2016 at 4:22pm PST

Tucked down a quiet alley in Leslieville, Left Field makes great beer and is also very welcoming to wee ones. It’s a taproom which means there’s no food, but they encourage customers to bring their own snacks or order in (a few regulars have been known to pack some seriously gourmet picnics). Bonus: if your babes get restless, you can grab bottles of beer from the retail section before heading home.

Highchairs: 0

Stroller accessible: Yes

Brewery mascots: 1 (his name is Wrigley)

Best time to visit: Monday to Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.





3030 Dundas West

3030 Dundas St. W., 416-769-5736, 3030DundasWest.com

A photo posted by 3030 Dundas West (@3030dundaswest) on May 13, 2015 at 12:33pm PDT

This Junction bar has been a family favourite since 2012. It has a lot to offer the underage crowd, including movie nights, pinball machines, classic board games and (for anyone experimenting with their first dance moves) early sound checks to rock out to. Easily accessible with lots of room for jumbo strollers, it’s a great spot to throw back pints and small plates (the pigtail torta is killer) with parent pals.

Highchairs: 4

Stroller accessible: Yes

Pinball machines: 6

Best time to visit: Monday to Sunday, 5-8:30 p.m. Reservations recommended for Friday and Saturday nights.





House on Parliament

454 Parliament St., 416-925-4074, houseonparliament.com

A photo posted by The Aubster (@myoldstreet) on Aug 18, 2015 at 9:17am PDT

Cabbagetown parents love the House on Parliament because its staff always go the extra mile to accommodate kids. Busy weekends can mean highchair wait lists, but rest assured the owners have ordered more baby seats to meet the demand. Stop by for a midday cocktail (they make a good Pimm’s Cup) and graze on a posh ploughman’s platter.

Highchairs: 6

Stroller accessible: Yes

Unisex bathrooms with a change table: 1

Best time to visit: Anytime





The Craft Brasserie

107 Atlantic Ave., 416-535-2337, thecraftbrasserie.com

A photo posted by Dan Grant (@brewscout) on Apr 5, 2016 at 1:47pm PDT

Liberty Village’s beer mecca is ideal for an afternoon flight: it’s super spacious (10,000 square feet), easily accessible (hello, elevator!) and knowledgeable servers can recommend brews for any menu item whether it’s the popcorn chicken or the ahi soba salad.

Highchairs: 6

Stroller accessible: Yes

Beers on tap: 120

Best time to visit: Monday to Wednesday, 2 p.m.–4 p.m. (after the Liberty lunch crowd clears out). Reservations are available.

Grey Tiger

1190 Bloor St. W., 647-925-3310, @greytigerTO

A photo posted by Grey Tiger (@greytigerto) on Apr 14, 2016 at 10:49am PDT

Bloordale’s all-day vegan café and bar is so popular with parents, owners are in talks to host “speed meeting” events for new moms. The cozy space makes it hard to accommodate strollers though, so it’s best to fold them up or bring the Björn. The cocktails here are legit and they go great with the brick toast, Texas-sized cuts of vegan sourdough topped with house-made spreads like beetroot-and-walnut paté.

Highchairs: 0

Stroller accessible: Yes

Whiskies available: 70

Best time to visit: Wednesday to Sunday, 3 p.m.–6 p.m.





Maple Leaf Tavern

955 Gerrard St. E., 416-465-0955, mapleleaftavern.ca

A photo posted by Linda Matarasso (@lindamatarasso) on Apr 26, 2016 at 4:43pm PDT

The rebirth of this east-end (now family-friendly) institution is good news for the parents of Leslieville and Riverdale: with chef Jesse Vallins (The Saint, Trevor) at the kitchen’s helm, and a cocktail program by New York bartender Naren Young, the MLT should set a new bar in family dining. There’s ample space to chill with your wee ones inside the 150-seat dining room or on the 50-seat patio—and the juiced-to-order boozy drinks, like the Stealth Margarita (pictured above), don’t hurt either.

Highchairs: 6

Stroller accessible: No

Age of the tavern: 116

Best time to visit: Anytime. Reservations are available.





Montecito

299 Adelaide St. W., 416-599-0299, montecitorestaurant.ca

A photo posted by Montecito Restaurant (@montecito_to) on Apr 25, 2016 at 12:53pm PDT

Despite being in the bustling theatre district, Montecito offers a roomy and relaxed downtown dining experience for parents. The restaurant’s brasserie offers lots of space to navigate clunky strollers, and there’s even a family washroom. For picky eaters (who also have teeth), there’s half-price pizza on Thursdays.

Highchairs: 6

Stroller accessible: Yes

Number of Ghostbusters-themed desserts: 1

Best time to visit: Monday to Friday, 2 p.m.–5 p.m. Reservations are available.