Shelter Named One of Canada’s 50 Best Bars in 2025
We’re proud to share that Shelter has officially landed a spot on the Canada’s 100 Best Bars list for 2025 — coming in at #45.
It’s an incredible honour to be recognized on a national stage, especially among so many outstanding bars across the country. This recognition reflects the heart and hustle of our entire team — from the bartenders crafting thoughtful, boundary-pushing cocktails, to the kitchen turning out bold, snackable dishes, to the hosts who make Shelter feel like a second home.
For those new to us, Shelter is built around the idea of creating an escape — a dim, intimate space where every detail is designed to draw you in. The cocktails are precise and inventive, inspired by scent theory and storytelling. You’ll find smoky mezcal, brown-butter-washed whisky, clarified citrus, and unexpected ingredients like mushroom or blue cheese woven into the menu. It’s a place to explore flavour without pretense.
The kitchen, led by Chef Richard McLaren, keeps pace with a rotating selection of Afro-Caribbean-inspired snacks — jerk chicken bao, rice-and-peas arancini, beef patty tartare — designed to match the intensity and playfulness of the drinks.
Making this list means a lot to us. We’ve always wanted Shelter to feel like more than a bar — a place for connection, conversation, and creativity. To everyone who’s supported us, thank you. You’ve helped us build something worth celebrating.
We’re just getting started.
Swing by. Grab a seat. Let us pour you something special.
We’ll be behind the bar.
