The Ascent of Toronto’s Bottle Shops

For lovers of wine, the pandemic has given rise to a phenomenon that didn’t exist a year ago, and what many might consider a vinicultural marvel: the bottle shop. It was in March 2020 that the Ontario government opened the doors to restaurants and bars selling bottled wine, beer and spirits as a counter to the shuttering of eat-in dining. In December, the province announced that the intended temporary measure would become permanent, ushering in a new era, and a fresh approach to the City’s sale of libations. This change, and several others that include, removing restrictions on alcohol delivery in food boxes, and permitting wineries, brewers and distillers to deliver direct to consumers, arguably represents the most sweeping amendments to Ontario’s liquor laws since the end of Prohibition in 1927.

Many of Toronto’s surviving restaurants and bars have responded by transforming themselves into boutique bottle shops — offering a bottle of wine that might cost $20 at the LCBO, and $60 if ordered while eating-in, for $30 as a grab-and-go option. And the bottle shop culture is only growing and evolving. Establishments are embracing the new opportunity to offer inspired specialty beverages along with an expanding selection of take-home food items in imaginatively fashioned shopping spaces that range from fun to chic. Those looking to frequent a bottle shop in Toronto, and support local businesses in the process, can visit https://www.bottleshopto.com/ for an extensive list of what the city has to offer.

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