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The gentle trickling of a stone fountain creates a soothing soundscape for Grape Witches’ serene Dundas West patio, which invites relaxation with its comfy, eclectic furniture and lush plants. A weatherproof retractable shade overhead offers protection from the harsh direct sun while still letting in lots of light. Nibbles like tinned fish, olives and crudité make for easy munching alongside a tempting drink list that features more than 15 natural wines by the glass.

Local tip: Not only is this space dog-friendly, but they also have a great happy hour between 3 and 6 p.m. on weekdays. 

1247 Dundas St. W.,

Paradise Grapevine

Mix with the hipsters beneath a covered back patio at Paradise Grapevine, an intimate and laid-back wine bar at Bloor and Crawford. Or, if you’re craving some sun (and a bit more space), visit its  on Geary Avenue, which boasts a winery and a large wraparound patio dotted with picnic tables. Paradise Grapevine is also a of Queer Wine Night a monthly pop-up event that launched in 2021. 

Local tip: There’s an excellent independent wine shop attached to the Grapevine on Bloor Street, so if you find a rare or local wine you like, grab a bottle for a special occasion.

841 Bloor St. W. & 218 Geary Ave., 

Ronnie’s Local 069

Let’s be honest, Ronnie’s Local needs no introduction. The sun-drenched patio at this no-frills dive bar, which overlooks the colourful chaos of Nassau Street, is jammed-packed with jovial revellers from early spring to late fall. Don’t expect a wine list, and don’t expect cocktails — this is a beer-forward establishment — but do expect a rowdy crowd that will linger long after last call. Bring cash.

Local tip: Ronnie’s doesn’t have a kitchen, but since you’re in Kensington, that is no problem: Grab a burger from Ozzy’s across the street or a slice from Pizzeria da Mario around the corner.

69 Nassau St.,

Pamenar

During the day,  operates as a quaint coffee shop with a front patio that’s a great spot for people-watching, and a tranquil back patio that’s perfect for reading a book or visiting with a friend. But in the evening, the narrow space transforms into a lively bar and event space, with frequent performances from local musicians, poets and artists. On warm evenings, the front patio often spills onto the sidewalk, as revellers mingle with other folks in the market or spread out in search of late night eats.

Local tip: Grab a latte on Pamenar’s back patio just before 5 p.m., when the “no-laptop” policy kicks in. Switch to wine as regulars filter in and the atmosphere shifts from cosy to lively. 

307 Augusta Ave., 

Electric Bill Bar

This Bloorcourt bar looks to make mixology more approachable by serving creative cocktails with a dash of laid-back Aussie vibes. Cocktails featuring techniques like milk clarification, fat washing and gin “switching” feel highbrow, but the bar’s petite patio is anything but stuffy with its bright red picnic tables and string lights. Aussie-style pub snacks like sausage rolls and chicken Parmesan bites match the relaxed ambience and make for satisfying sharing.

Local tip: Before heading to Electric Bill, stop by La Bella Managua just around the corner for some cheap, cheerful and delicious Nicaraguan cuisine.

866 Bloor St. W.,

Via Allegro

For west-west enders, Via Allegro’s unassuming location across from CF Sherway Gardens belies its enchanting back patio, which drips with blossoms and greenery inspired by Tuscan gardens. It’s a spellbinding setting for sipping wine on a balmy summer night, made all the more appealing by the restaurant’s 70,000-bottle-deep wine cellar. Share tried-and-true Italian apps like arancini and burrata or splurge on the restaurant’s new five-course tasting menu developed with culinary director and MasterChef Canada judge Claudio Aprile.

Local tip: If wine is not your thing, Via Allegro also has a world-class scotch bar. 

1750 The Queensway,

Pennies

With its vivid yellow exterior and blue patio umbrellas, Pennies’ patio radiates summer vibes. As the cost of dining out continues to rise, this West Queen West dive bar is an affordable haven for sunseekers. The cheap and cheerful menu focuses on sliders, tater tots and other unfussy, filling fare that goes down easy alongside slushies and classic beers. Weekly specials, like $15 Pennies Blonde pitchers on Sundays and AYCE cheeseburgers on Wednesday, add to the budget-friendly bliss.

Local tip: Embrace your inner child and order a big old plate of tater tots to share with your table. If you’re feeling brave, order the Supreme Tots, which comes drenched in queso, sour cream, pico de gallo and Old El Paso seasoning.

127 Strachan Ave.,

Sunnys Chinese

While Sunnys’ moody indoor dining area thrives off dimmed lighting, its alfresco courtyard is bright and breezy (but nonetheless hip and buzzy). The snacky, shareable dishes traverse various regions of China, showcasing bold and fiery flavours that are ideal for those times when you want to sweat it out to beat the heat. Summer drinks don’t get much more refreshing than Sunnys’ slushie cocktails, while beers include plenty of beloved local brewers like Burdock.

Local tip: Save room for the Hong Kong-style French toast, which comes slathered in black sesame jam, oolong condensed milk and butter.

60 Kensington Ave.,

Pour Boy

It can get a little tight on a warm day, and it can get a little rowdy on weekends, but you’re guaranteed to have a good time on Pour Boy’s patio, which can be found just north of Bloor Street on Manning Avenue. A Koreatown institution, Pour Boy remains one of the most affordable pubs in the city, with cheap pints, daily drink specials and a menu that caters to just about any taste. Open late seven days a week, the patio is also a perfect place to grab a late drink after Korean BBQ or after the sunsets in nearby Christie Pits.

Local tip: If you find yourself tempted by the local Korean eateries but don’t want to leave the warmth of the Pour Boy patio, rest assured that the food here is better than you might expect. Try the Golden Pad Thai, a delicious spin on a classic served in a yellow curry sauce.

666 Manning Ave.,

The Rooftop at the Broadview Hotel

The Rooftop at the Broadview Hotel provides a rare east end vantage point over the city, stretching out toward the downtown skyline. The wraparound patio offers panoramic views from all angles, while the glass-enclosed dining area ensures diners can still get the patio experience on days when the weather doesn’t co-operate. The crowd-pleasing menu hops around to all corners of the globe, with bites ranging from sticky hoisin chicken wings to garlic shrimp tacos.

Local tip: On Friday and Saturday, the Rooftop offers a rare late-night happy hour from 10 p.m. to close. 

106 Broadview Ave., 

Daphne

With its beautifully landscaped greenery and yellow-striped cushions, ’s terrace feels more like a dreamy backyard oasis than a restaurant patio. Exposed brick buildings hugging the 2,000-square-foot courtyard on either side create a sense of intimate seclusion. Though the restaurant’s Modern American menu reads simply, it incorporates rich twists in every plate. The same goes for a classic cocktail lineup, which sees standards like the negroni levelled up with ingredients like infused gin.

Local tip: This is a fancy spot, but that doesn’t mean you need to break the bank. On weekdays, Daphne has happy hour until 6 p.m., so you can get a negroni for just $11 plus discounted food items.

67 Richmond St. W.,