hope and sesame

One of the world's best bars and speakeasies is coming to Toronto

One of the world's best speakeasies and bars is coming to Toronto for a two-night engagement at one of the city's best hotels.

Ranked the best bar in mainland China, Hope and Sesame has been pioneering inventive cocktails since 2016 from their intimate location in Guangzhou, and now they're taking a trip west to serve their legendary drinks at 1 Hotel's Flora Lounge.

During its eight-year lifespan, the bar has managed to become renowned as one of the top 50 bars in Asia (#39), also being ranked within the top 100 in the world (#74).

The bar, which describes itself as a "unique testing ground for cocktail and innovation," will be taking over Flora Lounge from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on March 7 and 8 as co-founders Andrew Ho and Bastien Ciocca give Toronto residents the chance to try their world-famous cocktails.

There will be six signature cocktails, mixed and created by Andrew and Bastien, on the menu that highlight Hope and Sesame's experimental approach to mixology, featuring seasonal indiginous ingedients, infusions and distillation techniques.

Both evenings will be walk-in only, so reservations aren't available, but this one is certainly worth the gamble.

Lead photo by

Hope and Sesame


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Eat & Drink

Village by the Grange is Toronto's most international and underrated food court

Christmas Eve and holiday hours for the LCBO in Ontario

30 restaurants open on Christmas Day 2024 in Toronto

Notable bars that closed in Toronto this past year

5 new restaurants on Dundas West in Toronto you need to try at least once

Is Costco Canada planning to ditch Pepsi for Coca-Cola?

Canadian grocery tycoon Galen Weston Jr. shortlisted for an award nobody wants

New barbecue restaurant in Toronto opening in 'destroyed' historic building