Alcohol prohibition ended nearly a century ago, but for many venues across North America, the allure of a hidden, sometimes even password protected speakeasy was simply too good to pass up.
Over the last couple of years (perhaps assisted by the popularity of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire) the trend of the speakeasy bar has grabbed much attention in large cities such as New York and San Francisco.
But these clandestine watering holes aren’t limited only to the United States. Toronto has also seen its own fair share of underground drinking activity.
Masquerading as a fortune-telling service (with a real fortune teller) to the unsuspecting on Dundas West and Rusholme Rd. lies a portal back to the 1920s. Underneath the purple neon sign promoting tarot cards and palm reading there’s a flight of stairs that leads patrons down through a mirrored hall and into The Libertine speakeasy lounge.
With its 1920s style vibe and hidden appeal, it should come as no surprise that this is one of the more well known Toronto speakeasies.
An even more concealed speakeasy is in (or under, rather) Kensington Market. At the edge of Kensington and Baldwin sits the Kensington Mall, next to the Global Cheese shop. Once in the mall, patrons enter a store called ‘Exile’ and proceed down the long hallway to unmarked door under a red light.
Patrons are greeted by a woman selling Dim Sum. To the left of this is the entrance to the Cold Tea Room. With an underground patio enclosed with a metal fence, it’s not hard to feel the rush of 1920s alcohol-related law bending.
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