I love a good cocktail. A nice, sipping drink with interesting flavors suits me well. You won’t have to twist my arm to check out Cocktail Bar on Dundas.
Previously this space was home to Hoof Cafe – known for its many incarnations of suckling pig and it’s fantastic house infused spirits and libations. This time around Cocktail Bar has the intention of letting the drinks take center stage.
Owner Jen Agg appreciates flavours and subtleties in her mixes. I recall having a basil infused drink long ago (at the Hoof Cafe) on a hot summer evening and it was pure perfection. Her signature Manhattan with house made bitters is well rounded and damn delicious. The menu is divided into brown and white cocktails, and offers up classics as well as contemporary in-house creations.
The new space has not changed drastically from Hoof Cafe but it has a different feel. From the outside it looks unassuming, The semi-opaque windows offer mystery and intimacy and a small red neon sign reading Cocktail Bar signals the right place. Inside is an apothecary of infusions – lavender gin, vanilla tequila and other ambitious concoctions. Just don’t try to order a vodka soda – you might get a look of pity.