Toronto’s Most Magical Happy Hour

Handcrafted cocktails in downtown Toronto for only $8? We know, it’s basically unheard of. Cue Magic Hour, one of King Street West’s most wallet-friendly happy hours for post-work drinks and pre-show pick-me-ups without the price tag. 

Every Tuesday to Saturday from 4–8pm, we’re serving up a variety of classic cocktails with a twist for as low as $8 to be enjoyed alongside dinner in our dining room, cozied up at the bar or as a quick sip when stopping by the lounge. To talk us through the inspiration behind our oh-so-enjoyable menu of drink deals, we tapped our talented Bar Manager, Madeline Lockyer, to share what guests can expect when Magic Hour calls.

Eight Dollar Aces

When choosing what drinks to feature, Madeline leaned into the classics and revamped five time-honoured cocktails to offer a little bit more drama than your standard recipe. We’re in the Entertainment District, after all! 

Designed to be approachable and easy-drinking, the made-to-order beverages are crafted for continuous sipping as opposed to what Madeline calls “one-and-done” drinks, which are only ood for one round. In addition to our close-to-classic creations, the change in season ushers in fall and winter flavours that work exceptionally well in cocktail form. 

Notes of pear and darker fruits complement brown sugar, ginger and spice in the My Pear Lady, while cranberry, orange and vanilla offer a festive play on a classic tequila margarita in the Dial M for Margarita. Diners may notice that cocktail names nod to classic films, playfully inspired by our location in the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Of course, we couldn’t ignore two super popular cocktails (the Negroni Sbagliato and the Espresso Martini) that the city can’t seem to get enough of — and for just $8, there’s plenty to go around! 

Whether you’re a fan of House of the Dragon or just an avid TikToker, the viral Negroni Sbagliato has taken the internet by storm, landing an Emma D’Arcy-approved place in our hearts and on our menu. We’ve crafted a smoother version that tends to be more approachable than the classic negroni, adding a few dashes of orange bitters to mellow out the bitterness of the Campari. Floating on top, a dried orange wheel garnish slowly releases sugars while soaking up some of the drink’s alcohol. Hot tip: you can even eat it once your drink is through! 

As for our play on the resurgent Espresso Martini, the Breakfast at Tiff(any’s) offers a hit of mocha flavour, nodding to the warmth and comfort of hot cocoa in the winter. A more playful version of what you might expect from the coffee cocktail, “it looks the part but tastes a little more fun,” notes Madeline.

Of the final five $8 Luma favourites, a close-to-classic Manhattan can help you unwind after a long day at the office. Straying ever-so-slightly from the original recipe of American whiskey, Italian vermouth, and a few dashes of aromatic bitters, the Wolf of King Street remains just as timeless. We use Niagara’s Forty Creek whisky (to keep it Canadian, eh!) while black walnut bitters take the place of traditional Angostura.

Twelve Dollar Treats

Three $12 cocktails are also on offer during Magic Hour, crafted with the same attention to detail and creativity for just a few more bucks. Inspired by the buzz of the theatre district and the romance of date night, hues of pinky-red mimic the colour of the leaves in the Raider of the Lost Grapefruit. Described as “a fluffy grapefruit cloud”, our play on a paloma is citrus-forward and super sippable with a delicate lace tuile acting as an Insta-worthy garnish. 

Gin martini lovers, this next one’s for you: For a dirty martini, the Dirty Dancing Darling will do just the trick. The classically briny beverage gets the addition of celery bitters for a welcome freshness and a slightly crisp undertone. No one puts this baby in a corner!

Finally, the Passion in Pink is a beautifully composed concoction with a peppery ginger beer kick. Slightly sweet from the passion fruit, lemon juice offers balance while refreshing bubbles mellow out the bite from the rosy beet and ginger syrup.

Even More Magic 

Feeling a glass of wine or cold beer instead? Good news, Magic Hour isn’t limited to strictly cocktails. Enjoy a satisfying $8 beer or a $9 glass of light and crisp white wine or bold red. To complement our drink deals, our delicious selection of shareable bar bites showcases a diverse range of fresh fish and seafood, quality meats and seasonal vegetables.

Dig into a fresh and spicy Dorade Crudo with scallion ginger relish, lime and avocado or savour our Sizzling Garlic Shrimp, sopping up its lemony garlic butter with toasted bread. Vegetarian or not, you’ll love our Crispy Tofu + Cucumber with garlic aïoli or our Carrot Spring Rolls, featuring carefully wrapped curry-spiced carrots with sumac labneh and chili caramel.

No matter how you choose to enjoy Magic Hour, our three distinct seating areas allow you to curate your experience however you choose. Catching up over a meal or grabbing dinner before a show? Enjoy Magic Hour in our warm and welcoming dining room. Looking for something a little more intimate? There’s plenty of room to cozy up at the bar! Is casual more your vibe? People watch from our bustling lounge filled with plush sofas and views of King Street West.

Check out our full menu of magic hour offerings and join us every Tuesday to Saturday from 4–8pm for hands down one of the best happy hours in the city. Drinks under $10? We’d call that magic. Reserve a spot in our spacious dining room or stop by the bar or lounge today!