1602

I love the whiskey list here and the cozy vibe. It airs on the side of hipster bar but just shy of the douchbagery that hipsters bring. This is one of my favorite laid back bars where you can just have some scotch neat and enjoy the unpretentious atmosphere.

I’ve stopped in a couple times now and admittedly at first wasn’t sure what to think. They didn’t have beer on tap — despite having taps. The bartender said he didn’t know if they’d get them back. So I settled in with a tall boy and realized the place was super dark and atmosphere was lacking so didn’t come back again.
Imagine when to my surprise when walking by and now a sign said they had a patio out back that I’d never known about. So I walk in and happily find a few decent craft brews on tap, reasonably priced at $ 7. I indulged in a couple of those and sat on one of their brightly painted picnic tables out on their back patio.
My opinion went from a debated 2 star opinion to a perfectly passable 3 stars, maybe bordering into a 4^th star as my future visits increase. But for now, I’ll still give it the A-​OK seal of approval.

A cozy spot to grab a drink, or 2… Or 3! you can easily walk past this place if you weren’t paying attention. The atmosphere was dark, cozy and romantic, and a bit hipster of course! No drink menu, no frills kind of place. just tell the bartender what kind drink you want, tons of bourbon and scotch on the wall. Based on previous Unilocal reviews, I went with a bourbon sour, it really was delicious! For my second drink I asked the bartend to make me a grapefruit based drink and it was delicious, perfect balance of tangy, bitterness and could definitely taste the bourbon. Very good!

Great atmosphere. Exactly as other reviewers mention.
Not a very large beer selection though. There’s just 2 taps, and a handful of tallboy options. No food either — but you can eat right next door at bivy (
).
I’m told you come here for whiskey. Still have to try something other than beer.

Very chill spot to hang out in. Bar space and couches with a few scattered chairs. Low lighting. Nice bartender.

I want to marry the Bourbon Sours here.
The staff is super friendly, the vibe is warm, and I can knock back those sours as if it’s my last night on earth. I might even spend my last night on earth here, if it came down to it. THAT’S HOW GOOD THOSE SOURS ARE. GOD.
Having a shitty Monday? Go to the 1602, have a few drinks, go to bed, wake up the next day feeling like you can take on the world. That’s what happened to me, I am being so effective and purposeful at work today! The reason? THE BOURBON SOURS. Yes yes ya’ll, I said it, I meant it.

One of the best whiskey selections in the city. Great vibe. Elliot is a stand up guy who knows his craft.

Pulling into this bar is like pulling into a sweater.
Mutually tired and stressed, I pinned this joint on Unilocal and told my boyfriend to meet me here en route home. (Thank you, Unilocal.)
It’s dimly lit, with a back wall chalkboard of «personal» «messages», fitted with cozy couches and bistro deuce tables, staffed by friendly bartenders, and filled with *Music You Can Have Conversations Over*
Fantastic selection of bourbon and… mezcal at decent prices?!
In the running for my favourite westside bar.

We stumbled across this place randomly while doing a Dundas hop. Speaking to a man smoking outside, he said the bar doesn’t have a name. It changes everyday. Weird, but that’s cool.
Step inside, and its a sweet little spot. Everyone inside is cool, no pretentiousness or anything. We sat down at the bar, ready to order some beers, when I noticed my kryptonite on the wall — a scotch list. Not just any scotch list, this one had 20+ different single malts, and even a few blended (read: Johnny Walker). They also had a bourbon list with even more options than scotch, but bourban just isn’t my jam.
I had a nice Glenlivet 15, one of my favourites. I paired it with a tall can of Pabst (class, I know). The scotch was modestly priced, and the can of Pabst was like $ 5 I’m pretty sure. Bronwyn got her customary drink, straight gin with lots of olive juice.
Alright, this is all fine and dandy, but what pushes this place over the top and earns it the 5 stars (I’d go 6 if I could) was the bartender. Not only was she the friendliest woman on Earth, but she offered us baked ziti that she had made herself… for FREE! She literally had a big pot of it on a hotplate behind the bar, and was serving it out to patrons at the bar. It was legendary, I couldn’t believe it. Such a warming treat on a cold night.
This place was amazing overall. We’re going to go back again, and again, and again.

Went here for drinks with a friend tonight. She saw it talked about online and we were bored. Apparently it doesn’t have a real name. There is no sign or anything. The name thing seems to me to be trying too hard, but whatever. The interior looks totally cool. The bartender was friendly. The tall cans were $ 4.50. It had a crowd but not the packed-​unable-​to-​move vibe of other places nearby on Ossington and area. It also wasn’t disgustingly «hipster» (ugh I hate that word). I’ll definitely go back.

Great local with craft beer and awesome whiskey selection. Bigger than most bars in the area, just past the way too busy Ossington strip and you don’t have to wait in line.

I would like to begin this review by saying that … this is not a place that wants to be on Unilocal.This is not a place that wants to be seen as cool. But dammit, it’s cool.
Apparently they are known for their whisky selection, but they have plenty good local beers too. I wouldn’t know anything about that seeing how I’m a vodka girl myself.
First and foremost, the music, and the mood is great. People are definitely down to have a good time, and there is ZERO pretension. Jeans, ball caps, high heels, and sneakers. Anything goes. The crowd varies in age, and all seems to be pretty nice. I found people to be friendly and talkative.
In the back there is a comfy couch to throw your coat on– or sit and request Peaches from the DJ as I did. It’s not quite a dive, but your shoes will absolutely NOT stick to the floor. A prerequisite of mine to go to any bar where I could wear jeans.
The DJ has the biggest CD collection of anyone I’ve ever seen even before iTunes. The music will have you enjoying your beverage of choice all night long. From 70s rock, to modern alternative. Its a good time.
The name changes daily, so don’t look for a sign… look for the address. The neighborhood is very cool– and as much as this bar wants to remain off the grid– too bad. I just popped your Unilocal cherry 1602. You’re welcome.

This bar totally rocks! The staff are terrific. Its a friendly, chill atmosphere, with a great selection of whiskey/​scotches. You go for one drink, end up having 5 and making a new friend :)
I went with my friend Kevin and we had a blast. It’s good to support awesome local places. It’s what gives Toronto it’s charm. Well that and all the homeless ppl.