1000% my favourite cocktail bar in Toronto right now. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would. Absolutely love the bespoke concept -- if you have excellent bartenders, and this place does. I've been to other cocktail bars that attempt this, and some succeed while others flop because it is totally dependent on the consistency, skill, and quality of the staff. Every single person behind the bar here is fantastic and really listens to your needs/desires. It isn't a big space but easy enough to find a seat on weeknights. Other patrons are all chill. Super friendly and welcoming place, which is also a wonderful surprise since so many bars like this are so pretentious. Bartenders have a huge repertoire of cocktails, and uncanny ability to improvise as well. I can be pretty picky about good cocktails and what I want to taste, and I have to say every one I tried was exactly what I wanted. And all at pretty reasonable prices considering it's Toronto and the spirits I asked for. Beyond expectation. Can't wait to come back.

What a cool and unique experience! I walked in here, expecting a menu, but instead, the bartender, asked me a series of questions and not too long after, I was presented with a handcrafted and delicious cocktail! This is their vibe and its so cool and interactive and fun! Every cocktail I had was unique and none of the drinks that my friends and I had were ever the same. The bartender, Graham, really took care of us during our visit! Loved it here and want to keep coming back 😀

It’s a hidden gem in Toronto. We ordered 5 cocktails in total and they were all fantastic. They made it according to our tastes and they all varied in flavour and presentation. Super cozy and relaxed ambient, trendy. We went during a weekday and got there early while it was still empty but at around 9pm people were waiting outside to get a table. They also partner with a nearby Vietnamese restaurant and the food is incredible. We go their vegan phở, brisket croquetes, fried squid, vegan dumplings, and a cauliflower dish. Everything was excellent, I wish the cauliflower dish had white steamed rice but other than that, delicious. Highly recommend visiting this place. Ideal for dates, solo drinking, and an entertaining catch up with friends.

Would Return, Highly Recommended. A no menu bar focused on flavour profiles and creativity. Drop in, tell them your ideal base and notes and they'll whip you something up. The best two parts: drinks are accessible and they take AMEX. No reservations.

Selected as The best cocktail bar in Canada 2 years in a row is not a coincidence. They just nailed it. Servers will ask you about your taste and create a unique drink for you. Of course they also serve all other cocktails. Had an amazing experience. On a Saturday night we had approximately 20 minutes wait time to get in. After you are in no more waiting, servers all around you to get your order. I will regularly go back for mind blowing cocktails.

There is a reason this is talked about as the best bar in Canada. It's lively and fun, the staff are top notch and the drinks are just amazing. Keep in mind, there is no cocktail menu, the bartenders are so talented they just ask you a few questions and make you something special. It's a treat and the few cocktails I've had have been exceptional

My favourite bar in Toronto! Every time you get something completely different and unique so I never get tired of coming here. The vibe is relaxed and cozy. Each cocktail is $15 which is very reasonable for the quality of drink given Toronto prices. Sometimes when I bring people they are intimidated by having no menu, but just tell the bartender the spirit you prefer and a few descriptive terms (spirit-forward, crushable, spicy, floral etc) the bartenders are very talented and make great drinks.

Fantastic drink bar. If you're looking at this you probably know the deal - there is no menu and the bartenders mix drinks intuitively. I was skeptical but it was amazing! They know exactly what they are doing and if you are clear with them they will make the drink you were hoping for, the drink you didn't know you needed.

Great place to get drinks, this is a bar without a menu, you explain what kind of cocktail you’d like and they make it for you. Wonderful experience

Long time lurker, first time drinker. Stopped by here after visiting Port Light. I've always been curious but somehow never made it in, so decided to do it when it was extra-challenging due to outdoor dining only. The staff, whom I'm sure have had to put up with a lot of nonsense (some of which we witnessed ourselves) were incredibly polite, patient, and managing the challenging circumstances expertly. Particularly not easy for a bar with no menu, that required the team to give us the attention and patience required of a custom cocktail bar. That they did, and gave us some great (matching) cocktails, a cute table on the back patio, and good company. Looking forward to coming back for another round and another unique pour from their elaborate whiskey selection, indoors or out!

Menuless cocktail bar - they just ask questions about your flavour profile in order to create something for you. That being said, we suspect there's a shadow menu because we saw similar-looking drinks coming out from different bartenders. Because of this concept, the quality and creativity of the cocktails really depend on the bartender you get, and how you prompt them. The drinks we received fit what we asked in terms of flavour and spirit choices, but they weren't as refined or balanced as we would have hoped and expected from an award-winning bar.

For those that are not aware, this is a speakeasy bar and one where they don’t have a menu. All cocktails are made-to-order. It is one of my favourite bars in Canada. Mixologist are so talented and you never feel like a cocktail is repeated. So wonderfully blended and presented. Always a good time here.

Civil Liberties is rated the best bar in all of Canada, and with good reason. Conceptually, you enter the bar and the worker assigned to you outlines that they will make a drink to fit your preferences, whatever they may be. I told them that I liked rum and coke, but wanted to try something with and something with Coca Cola. On both tries, our bartender Dee, produced incredible drinks that I thoroughly enjoyed. I understand that this may not always be the case and folks may get cocktails they don't like, and while that was not my experience, the skill that goes into churning out drink after drink of that calibre cannot be underrated. What an incredibly beautiful experience. Will definitely revisit!

No menu found, you simply tell the bartenders what you like! The staffs were welcoming. If there are no seatings available at the moment, they let you stand and drink the cocktails haha Would love to visit again and try different and unique cocktails 😋

Deserves the No.1 spot for best bars in Canada. The bartenders are really good. I loved that there is no menu, it's a Speakeasy and chatting with bartender, letting them know what you want to have was a new experience in Canada. Price is pretty normal and the vibe of the place is good. We tried two cocktails which were very unique twists of whiskey sour and whiskey smash.

thoroughly enjoyed this spot. great cocktails, great attention to detail and customer service. we ordered vegan viet through their app too, would recommend the vegan dumplings and the cauliflower! the croquettes also amazing.

I randomly walked by Civil Liberties over the weekend, and I’m very happy I made the choice to give it a go. The concept is, no menu and order cocktails based on the taste you prefer. I think I made it quite easy for the bartenders because I already knew the cocktails I wanted to order but I was equally impressed with the concept, atmosphere and outcome of my cocktails. In the picture is my Espresso Martini. I can’t wait to go back again.

I can't believe I took so long to go! I love the concept of not having a cocktail menu; your bartender will create a custom cocktail based on your likes and preferences. And they're always on point! Definitely will be back.

We had such a great time! Our bartender, Graham, was so friendly and made sure we enjoyed every drink. He made us eight cocktails on total and each one was better than the last. Great music, cool atmosphere and seriously good prices for what you get. Will definitely be back!

This place will take whatever combinations of words you give them and turn it into a cocktail. I had the best time, coming up with a combination of bizarre wishes and they nailed it each and every time. The staff did so with a smile and enjoyed the creativity. Great time!

It's such a great spot! As soon as you walk in, you're met with a dim-lit cozy environment. The bartenders are potion masters! You tell them what you like, and they bring you back a fantastic drink that you never would've thought of. This was a great find!

What a great experience! The staff really takes the time to listen closely to what you're in the mood for and bring you something unique and delicious. I would say you might have the best experience if you know what alcohol you want as a base and can more accurately describe the flavour profile you're looking for. But even if you're more vague you will get something tasty and learn from the experience, whether it's something about the drink you want or you don't want. I love the uniqueness and not knowing exactly what to expect. We ordered 2 drinks each and spent about 2-3 hours there. Food is not prepared on site - you have to order from a related restaurant online and then will come by and deliver it to your table.

This place is stellar. The atmosphere and the service are nothing short of spectacular. All the bartenders are exceptional at what they do. They are excellent at curating drinks and accommodating for dietary restrictions. I’ve never gone there and got the same drink twice. I look forward to going back civil… This is the place -Batman

I absolutely love this bar! The geniuses behind Civil Liberties truly know what they're doing. Imagine a bar without a menu, where each cocktail is custom-crafted to perfection - that's Civil Liberties for you. The concept is brilliant, and the execution is even better. The bartenders are like artists, mixing and creating drinks that tantalize the taste buds in ways you didn't know were possible. Every aspect of our visit was memorable, and it's a certainty that we'll be back. However, there's just one thing that stopped me from giving a full five-star rating - the loud music. It's so overpowering that even when you're leaning over the person you're trying to speak with and shouting, it's a struggle to be heard. For someone who likes their cocktail experience to be social, this was a bit of a letdown. So, here's my advice: Go for the cocktails, they're worth it. But if you're planning to catch up with friends and have deep conversations, this might not be the place. The music, though lively, can overshadow the social aspect of a bar experience. Hence, I'm deductively one star, making it a solid 4-star experience. Civil Liberties is a must-visit for the cocktails, just be prepared for the volume!

This is a great place indeed. They serve cocktails based on your request. For example, you may tell what base spirit you like and specify a flavor to add to it, and they will make a cocktail based on this description. You will not be disappointed. Also, you can just name a classic cocktail if that is what you would like and they will bring it to you. Definitely recommend this place! P.S. On the first picture is the custom made cocktail with rum, coffee liqueur, and Becherovka. On the second one is Rum Old Fashioned.

Nice budget friendly speak easy but no food options....service was friendly and servers were knowledgeable for cocktails.. cocktails were balanced but were lacking presentation...all in all nice place just to have quick drinks..

A little hard to find but very cool ambience. Drink is delicious!!! You gotta go early because they ran out of seats so quickly

Perhaps the accolades were warranted in the past for it to be an industry darling, but the standards that would make for a good bar, were severely lacking. The service was poor, perfunctory — a mix of green inexperience and disinterested awkwardness. We walked in 1-hour before closing on a Tuesday to see four people behind the bar and five patrons. When we were seated, after five minutes, the bartender informed us of the "no-menu" format. Our first experience here, our party was still taking in the information. However, in the same beat, they then expected us to answer them. Without any prompts or chat to engage, they just stared at us. We were still deciding among ourselves, but the bartender was noticeably irritated. They then asked me what we had been drinking earlier. My two guests were still deciding. I answered first: I had a couple of martinis before. I hadn't answered the bartender with a clear drink order or any other information, but they muttered, I'll just make you a martini and walked away. Bold move. A second bartender approached our party and took the last two orders. Mezcal - two separate offerings. Both missing something, an egg white maybe, or more thought and care altogether. When they came to do check backs, more than half-way done our drinks, they had lost us for us to want to meaningfully engage. We would have ordered a few more rounds, but decided one was enough. When we had already paid (one bill), another bartender was confused when we informed them that we had done so. Tipped 20%.

Great bar. Loved how the bartenders are very knowledgeable to concoct a drink that matches your flavour interest exactly. Prices were very fair and all in all very good.

Really nice spot! Perfect for a date or catching up with friends. Quite small but quaint and cozy. Excellent bar selection.

Fantastic bar! Love that there isn’t a set cocktail menu. Totally forgot to take photos; only because I was too absorbed in enjoying my drinks! Will definitely be coming back for more.

Excellent service and delicious drinks! Would be a great date night spot

I highly recommend to visit this cocktail bar! To start of when coming in, the place from the street looks like a typical bar. You could easily miss it if it weren’t for the pineapple logo. As soon as you go in, you are greeted by the bartenders or a hostess almost right away. First impressions of the place walking in is it looks a little grunge and hip. Totally was not what we were expecting the place to be like. We opted to seat in a high table just in front of the bar as the bar itself was full of patrons. Opt for the bar if you can as there’s a lot of action going on all the time with the bartenders. As we were seated, our server Kas/Kaz came by and gave us some water. She then explained the concept of the bar which is a no menu bar and basically the server will ask what we liked and what we didn’t like and pass it on to a bartender. We were a bit skeptical about this concept going in but damn, we were stunned with the drinks we were given. Anyway, Kas/Kaz ended up being our bartender as well. Our first drinks were outstanding. Instead of opting to her make me a drink that I didn’t know of, I asked for a sidecar just to see if the drinks even come out good for a classic/easy cocktail. This was the probably one of the best sidecars I’ve had. Anyway, fast forward to our second drinks, we ordered a gin and cognac based cocktail with other requests and the second drinks were even better than the first. It was an amazing experience drinking all the cocktails. Kas/Kaz was attentive enough to check up on us when we needed water without us asking for a refill. Additionally, a colleague of hers actually filled our water glasses when noticed they were both almost empty. Nice touch. In the end, we did not feel rush at leaving the place and the bill came in at the correct time as she could read our body language that we were ready to go. Overall experience, one of the top bars in the city and country.

I recently visited Civil Liberties on a Saturday, just 15 minutes after they opened, and was pleasantly surprised to find it already packed. This was a clear indicator of its popularity, which is great for those who want to be where the action is. The atmosphere and interior design of Civil Liberties were truly impressive. It had a unique, cozy vibe that immediately made me feel at home. What sets this bar apart is its intriguing menu—or should I say, the lack of one. Instead of a fixed menu, you have the freedom to communicate with your bartender and ask for precisely what you want. This level of customization is something I found seriously interesting and refreshing. The staff was incredibly friendly and approachable, making it easy to strike up a conversation or get recommendations. It's the kind of place where you can relax and enjoy quality time with your friends without feeling rushed or pressured. In summary, Civil Liberties is a gem for those who appreciate a bustling atmosphere, a personalized drink experience, and a friendly, cozy vibe. It's a must-visit spot if you're looking for a unique and enjoyable night out with friends.

I brought my partner here for her first time and we were absolutely astounded by the service. Our bartender, Linh, made sure we were well accommodated and our drinks were made to perfection. 5 stars all around for the service and attention to detail. Would recommend for dates, good drinks and a very engaging cocktail experience.

Super cool place, nostalgic decor, cozy design but loud to hold conversation. This place definitely satisfies adventurers and foodies. All i had to say was: luxardo and spicy, to get my tasty cocktail.

This is now my favourite bar in the city for cocktails! There’s no drink menu, they will make you a custom drink based on your preferences. They are so good at what they do, every drink is an experience with flavours that work so well together. My friend and I liked all of our drinks!

Easily one of the best cocktail bars in Toronto and Canada (as per the top 50 Canadian bar list) and not hard to see why. There is no menu, but the bartenders are all experts in putting together to meet and match your mood. Even when we noticed an odd bottle of thyme and melon essence/mix sitting on the back bar of ingredients, our bartender had never used it, but still crafted something better than most bars have on their regular menu. They simply are that good. Now, they aren't the prettiest bar, or the even the fanciest drinks (other places are better in that regard), but if your looking for an unpretentious super laid back and chill cocktail bar, then Civil Liberties is hard to beat. Be warns, it gets packed and can have a group of people already waiting to get in at opening time. So get there early!

Such a unique experience. No wonder it’s rated #1 in Canada! Said I was feeling Japanese whisky and they whipped me up a flavorful twist with grapefruit. Not too sweet, just the way I like it. Exceptional talent and service from Tristan!

If I could, I would give more stars. This is a wonderful cocktail bar, which a unique twist. The cocktail artist (yes, artist) will ask you a few questions about your preferences and then go off and create a masterpiece! We had a full range of cocktails including vodka trunks with a pineapple base, espresso martinis with a twist, bourbon ginger cocktails and a bourbon martini style drink. The service is excellent and the prices were so reasonable - less than $15 per drink. The spaces was quite crowded and we had to stand for our first drink before a space at the bar was available. It’s loud here, and our throats got a bit sore talking over the noise. I can’t wait to go back!!!!!!

A true and true cocktail bar that really is so much fun to go and try. I genuinely recommend coming here once and getting a couple of mixed drinks. There is no menu and you essentially describe what you're looking for and the skilled bartenders try to make what is described to them. Once made, they explain what they've made and are always receptive to what you liked or would want different.

One of the best cocktail bars. Excellent service. No menu here so you just tell the bartender what you typically like and they make it. Very fun and reasonable prices.

Cool and cozy bar! They don't have a menu for cocktails, the bartenders ask you what you like and make you customized drinks. All of our drinks were delicious! It can get crowded on weekend nights but the staff is really efficient in accommodating everyone.

There is no menu for this place. Just let the bartender know what type of base liquor and flavour then good to go. No food is provided. Service is quick. Every drink is different. Classic cocktail is available to order too. Chilling place to stay for a weekday night.

This place is probably the best cocktail bar I have ever been to. The fact that there's no menu means that almost anything goes. The bartenders are all incredibly skilled, and the vibe is pure 1920s speakeasy. A perfect place for a fun evening.