Bar Banane — Restaurant in Toronto

Overrated.

My first thought? "Really? Yet another so-called speakeasy in Toronto?" And honestly. I was right to be skeptical.

First, so-called speakeasies are so 2008. Other metropolis cities know this. Enough with the played-out fake speakeasy trash. It's not quirky and cool anymore. It's just a boring excuse for overpriced drinks and pageantry.

Second: the staff was abrupt and flustered but perhaps because the entire place was so full and too few staff were working. I get staffing issues since COVID and bars trying to save a buck by using skeleton staff but when cocktails are $22+tax... it's sus. Not a lot of attention to customers. Management seemed lacking.

Third: Drinks were at best okay. I wouldn't say they blew my mind at all especially at those prices. Not sure the value is there. I know Ossington is a trendy area but this place seems more show than substance. There are so much better cocktail bars in the city that don't charge $19 for a negroni. Even the mocktails are overpriced.

Like on paper maybe the cocktails sound complex (mostly its seems just fruit/veg/spice infused basic liquors to make it sound impressive) but when it comes down to flavour and what the ingredients really are in reality its very lacklustre. Which tbh wouldn't be an issue if the prices weren't so inflated. There's no point in going through all the effort and work of doing that to your ingredients if it's all lost in the final product, unless I guess you're just doing it to trick customers into thinking that $18 for a fancy Sex On The Beach riff named after a car brand is justified.

The snacks were instagrammable but underwhelming.

Perhaps I would have given it 3 stars if the bill at the end of the visit wasn't so astronomical, plus expected standard 25% tip. The fact they charge so much and don't mention if they pay their staff a living wage (I would guess not by the shortage of staff) makes me cringe. I would pay more than average for a good drink if I knew it was helping pay a living wage. The quality of drinks + lack of value for money + uncomfortable atmosphere + unhappy seeming staff + nothingness of the snacks all equals a night I didn't enjoy. I didn't hate it, but I won't be back.

Sorry, nothing on Ossington is worth $26 a drink. Unless those cocktails are mind-blowing and the staff is well-paid.

Simply disappointed. Yet another unreasonably expensive yet ultimately forgettable cocktail...

Perched discreetly above the bustling Le Banane restaurant, Bar Banane isn't just a waiting area; it’s a destination in its own right—a cool, sophisticated escape for the discerning drinker.

The atmosphere whispers of exclusivity, but the service is anything but stuffy. It's truly great, with attentive staff who guide you through a fascinating drink menu. Forget the standard fare; the cocktail program here is genuinely interesting and ambitious. Offerings like the Lovely Rita, a smoky, intriguing Mezcal-based concoction, and the Message in a Bottle hint at a thoughtful, high-level approach to mixology. (And for those who appreciate the classics, a dedicated selection of Negronis during Negroni Week certainly demonstrated their commitment to cocktail culture.)

As a devoted fan of pisco, I opted for the Message in a Bottle, a daring blend anchored by pisco and vanilla liqueur. While the spirit-forward nature of the drink was admittedly strong for my palate, its construction was undeniably expert. It achieved a beautiful balance, showing the skill of the bartender. The presentation was elevated further by a perfectly placed, torched peach garnish, adding a subtle, sweet, and smoky dimension that was a true delight.

Bar Banane operates on a higher plane of cocktail execution. It strikes that perfect balance: inventive drinks, impeccable service, and an atmosphere that feels both exclusive and welcoming. The strength of the menu is compelling enough to ensure that a return visit is not just a plan,...

This is a delayed review but it popped into my mind this morning and it’s worth noting;

Bar Banane‘s dining experience is incredibly designed and curated. Intricate flavour combinations and visually appealing dishes bring your experience to another level.

4 of my girlfriends and I enjoyed the canapé tasting menu. We started from the top and went right to the end - I ordered extra of the pork jowl. We tacked on the soufflé as well - divine. We were comfortably full after the meal and each one of us had a different favourite, for a different reason.

The menu is so artfully created and you can tell from the flavours and execution that each member working there takes great pride in what they do.

The cocktails were also delicious and prepared by a competition winning “bartender” (probably called something way more elaborate but I’m a simpleton haha) I may add!

This is a perfect spot for an upscale night out with friends, date, business meeting - what have you.

I am looking forward to returning in the future and seeing what the chef’s (especially the pastry chef)...