St. Clair West just got a little more fun. Bodega TinTin has opened as the latest addition to the strip, and early reports suggest it is already drawing a crowd.
The room is a cocktail bar with a tapas menu, and the drinks lean creative. Toronto Life points to tomatillo margaritas on the list, while Streets of Toronto highlights tinned fish and sake martinis as part of the draw. That mix of Spanish-style bodega snacking and inventive cocktails fits neatly into a larger Toronto trend: small, casual bars where you can graze, sip and settle in for the night.
Tinned fish has gone from pantry staple to menu star over the past few years, and pairing it with a sake martini signals a bar that does not take itself too seriously while still caring about quality. It is the type of place where you can stop in for a single drink and end up staying for three.
On a Halloween night, when many people are looking for something low-key before heading to a party, a neighbourhood cocktail bar is a smart choice. Start with a few snacks, order a round of something unusual and see where the night takes you.
Make Bodega TinTin your pre-party stop tonight, and tell us your favourite cocktail in the comments. Happy Halloween!