Distillery District
The Distillery District is a popular Toronto destination featuring a variety of boutique shops and restaurants in a historic setting
The brick-lined streets of the carefully restored Distillery Historic District are limited to pedestrian traffic making it an ideal place to relax and explore on foot. Numerous outdoor patios and restaurants create a interesting vibrant experience. You wont find any franchise stores here! The film industry has used this location for filming many popular movies.
This was the original site of the Gooderham and Worts Distillery - the largest distillery in the world by the 1860s. The de-industrialization of neighbouring areas finally resulted in shutting down all remaining distillery operations by 1990. In 2001, the rundown Distillery District, was reclaimed and transformed into a historical district with a unique collection of boutiques, art galleries, coffeehouses, restaurants and more. It also became the home to two theatre companies; the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Soulpepper Theatre Company and the George Brown College School Of Performing Arts. This reclamation project has preserved the largest collection of Victorian industrial buildings in North America.
The Historic Distillery District hosts the popular Toronto Christmas Market each year from mid November through mid December. It's one of the top rated Christmas Markets in the world — definitely worth a visit if you are in Toronto during that time.
The unique atmosphere and lighting at nighttime make this an ideal place to enjoy a date or romantic evening out.
The Distillery District is easy to get to by a combination of the TTC Subway and Streetcar or Bus. See the map and directions or use our instant route-finder below.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: NoDistillery District Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Address: 55 Mill St, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada
Phone: (416) 364-1177
Official Website: Distillery District
Distillery District Reviews
Rated out of 5![]()
Very cool area to shop, eat, and be entertained. They had projection screens and inflatable couches set up for the games. Very unique against the historic brick background. Very clean and I felt safe. I'd love to come back at night to see it lit up.
Jeanette R - 2 months ago
The Distillery Historic District is one of Toronto's most charming areas, with beautifully preserved Victorian-era industrial buildings, cobblestone streets, galleries, shops, cafés, and restaurants. The architecture and atmosphere make it a great place to walk around, especially in the evening when the historic buildings are beautifully lit.
That said, according to locals we spoke with, many of the restaurants here are geared toward tourists, with average food quality and relatively high prices. So while the district is definitely worth visiting for its atmosphere and architecture, it may not be the best destination if you're specifically looking for great food or good value.
Amin Sameni - 2 weeks ago
Visited the Distillery District Christmas Market and honestly, it felt like stepping into a real-life winter fairytale ❄️✨
The entire place is beautifully decorated with warm lights, festive setups, and cozy vibes everywhere. The highlight for me was the stunning Christmas tree — absolutely magical at night, glowing with thousands of lights and ornaments. Every corner is so well designed that you’ll naturally find yourself stopping for photos again and again.
What I really loved was the atmosphere. Walking through those historic cobblestone streets with soft snow around, surrounded by lights and decorations, just gives you that perfect holiday feeling. There are so many cute spots for pictures — from the glowing tunnels of lights to themed setups like the giant decorative bottles and Christmas displays.
The market itself has a great mix of small shops, food stalls, and seasonal treats. You can grab hot chocolate, snacks, and enjoy the festive music while exploring. It’s lively but still feels cozy and romantic, especially in the evening.
Also, the skyline views nearby and the overall location add to the experience — it’s not just a market, it’s a full vibe. Perfect place to visit with family, friends, or even for a date night.
One small tip: it does get quite busy during peak hours, so visiting a bit earlier or later in the evening can make the experience even better.
One of the best Christmas experiences in Toronto — highly recommended if you want to truly feel the holiday spirit 🎄✨
Raj Sinha - 5 months ago
A must-visit spot in Toronto! We fell in love with the historic charm and the iconic orange-brick buildings. It’s incredibly pleasant to walk around with friends or family on weekends and discover the lovely cafes and restaurants. Plus, catching the World Cup matches here with some food and drinks is a fantastic activity right now. I highly commend Canada for their preservation efforts; keeping these 1890s buildings intact while maintaining their traditional architecture is truly impressive.
Buse Coskun - 3 months ago
The Distillery District feels like a living postcard, where time didn’t stop – it simply decided to stay.
Historic red‑brick buildings rise like guardians of the past, solid and proud, carrying stories in every crack and corner.
And in the middle of it all, the Lavazza IncluCity Festival unfolds – colors, music, aromas, film screens, people, laughter.
Old industrial spaces transform into cultural stages, blending the scent of coffee with warm evening air and the pulse of a city that never slows down.
It’s a place you walk through slowly, because rushing would be a sin.
Every corner asks you to pause.
Every light asks you to look.
Every building asks you to feel.
The Distillery District isn’t an attraction.
It’s an atmosphere.
It’s a feeling.
It’s a piece of Toronto that takes hold of you – and doesn’t let go.
M P - 2 months ago
![]()
Directions
| TTC Subway Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Yonge-University-Spadina | King or St. Andrew Station | 1 Minute |
| Bloor-Danforth | Castle Frank Station | 3 Minutes |
How to get to Distillery District by TTC Subway
From King or St. Andrew Station on the Yonge-University-Spadina Line take the #514 Cherry streetcar east to Distillery Loop located next to the east entrance.
From Castle Frank Station on the Bloor-Danforth Line take the #65 Parliament bus south to Parliament at Front Street. The entrance is just over 1 block farther south on your left.
Map & Instant Route Finder
Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.
Accommodations near Distillery District:
Photo Gallery
-
The Stonehouse Distillery at night cc licensed photo by 416style -
Photo Credit: litt26 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: kasio69 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: daryl_mitchell - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Can Pac Swire - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: louisbavent - cc license via Flickr

