Riverside

This indoor-outdoor bar perched on top of the new downtown Broadview Hotel is one of the better places to take in what may be the best skyline in Canada. There’s an open-air terrace with plenty of seating, so it’s a no-brainer for afternoon cocktails, but even indoors you’ll get a sense of being high above it all, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and a huge, pyramid-shaped skylight. Our favorite cocktail is an ode to Beyoncé: Becky with the Good Hair, a healthyish mix of vodka; carrot, orange, and lemon juices; coconut water; and rosemary.

In the rapidly gentrifying East End, an 1891 Romanesque revival building that until recently moonlighted as a strip club has been born again as a hip hotel. The Broadview makes the best of its location and elevation—the glass-encased rooftop bar serves up delightful small plates and strong drinks—and the city views are the main event. We love the king terrace rooms, though all of them have thoughtful touches, including a French press and a record player with a selection of vinyl. The corner suites pay cheeky homage to the Broadview’s past life as Gilly’s Strip Club, with retro-fitted, floor-to-ceiling brass poles that act as shelves. The property definitely appeals to a younger set, and there are several microbreweries and solid brunch options within striking distance.