Bar Hop
Bar Hop operates at 391 King Street West, a narrow craft beer bar that has become a reference point for Toronto's beer culture. The original location (there's a second on Peter Street) is a compact space with a long bar, communal tables, and room for about 80 people. The draw is the tap list: 36 rotating handles featuring Ontario craft breweries, Quebec microbreweries, and selected imports. The selection changes frequently, with new additions often arriving before they're available at other bars in the city. The staff can describe every beer on the list and make informed recommendations based on your preferences. Food is available from a menu that pairs well with beer: burgers, sausages, poutine, and shareable plates. Bar Hop doesn't have a DJ, a dance floor, or bottle service. It's a beer bar, pure and simple, and it's one of the best in Canada. The crowd is beer-literate and relaxed, spanning a wider age range than most King West establishments.
What to Expect
A narrow, busy bar with taps lining the wall and the smell of hops in the air. The crowd is focused on what they're drinking and happy to talk about it. The atmosphere is social without being forced.
Social, beer-focused, and unpretentious. Bar Hop is the neighborhood bar that a neighborhood full of nightclubs needed.
Background rock, indie, and classic albums. The music is present but the tap list is the attraction.
No dress code. Come as you are. This is a beer bar, not a club.
Craft beer enthusiasts, casual drinkers exploring Ontario and Quebec breweries, groups wanting quality beer and food without nightclub energy
Cards and debit accepted. Cash is fine. Contactless works.
Price Range
Craft beer CAD 8-14 per pint, flights CAD 12-16, burgers CAD 18-22, poutine CAD 14-16
Craft beer ~$6-10/~5.50-10 EUR, burgers ~$13-16/~12-15 EUR
Hours
11:30-02:00 daily
Insider Tip
Ask what's new on tap; the rotation is frequent and the staff know what just arrived. The communal tables are great for meeting other beer enthusiasts. Arrive before 8 PM on weekends if you want a seat without waiting.
Full Review
Bar Hop is the antidote to everything else on King West. No dress code, no cover charge, no DJ, no bottle service. Just 36 taps of carefully selected craft beer and a staff that knows what's on every one of them.
The space is narrow and fills quickly, which creates a communal atmosphere whether you intended it or not. The bar runs along one wall with stools, and communal tables fill the opposite side. When it's busy, which is most evenings, you'll be sharing table space with strangers. This is part of the appeal; conversations between tables happen naturally when everyone is holding a beer they're excited about.
The tap list is the core product. Ontario craft breweries form the backbone, with names like Bellwoods, Nickel Brook, and Left Field appearing regularly. Quebec microbreweries add Francophone diversity, and a handful of international selections round out the list. The rotation is fast; visiting twice in a week might mean a third of the taps have changed. The staff stays current with every switch, and asking for a recommendation based on what you like, hoppy, malty, sour, dark, produces reliably good results.
The food menu is designed to pair with beer, which sounds obvious but isn't always the case at bars that treat food as an afterthought. The burgers are made with quality beef and cooked properly. The poutine is traditional Quebec-style with real cheese curds. Sausages, wings, and shareable plates fill out the options. Everything is priced fairly for the location and the quality.
Bar Hop opens at 11:30 AM, which makes it a genuine all-day option. Afternoon visits on weekdays are quiet and conversational, with the bartenders having time to guide you through tasting notes. Weekend evenings fill up by 8 PM, and standing room becomes the default. Late nights are busy but never chaotic; the crowd self-selects for people who are there for the beer rather than the party.
The limitation is physical space. The narrow format means large groups can't sit together easily, and there's no private or semi-private area. If you need a table for eight, this isn't the venue. For solo visitors, couples, or groups of three or four, it's one of the most enjoyable places on King West.
The Neighborhood
At 391 King Street West, at the eastern edge of the King West nightlife strip where it blends into the Entertainment District. Surrounded by restaurants, clubs, and the Brassaii lounge a few doors west. The second Bar Hop location on Peter Street is a short walk north.
Getting There
At 391 King Street West. St. Andrew subway (Line 1) is a 7-minute walk east. The 504 King streetcar stops outside. Uber drop-off on King Street is straightforward.
Address
391 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1K1
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