Cold Tea, located in a hidden spot through Kensington Mall (or through an alley off Augusta Avenue) is everybody’s little secret. You’re greeted by a dim sum cart when you pass the red light leading through the mall. Ripped, printed green wallpaper and a cool font with the bar’s name decorates one wall. The Chinese lady preparing the dim sum wears a tuxedo-esque outfit complete with red bow tie. Inside, the back area of the bar offers seating on a leather banquette. Chairs and tables are removable for dancing; a cool mural by artist Mango Peeler adorns one wall and on another the letters “TBD” (because the art on the walls rotates monthly). Various DJs play on a regular basis and famed Toronto chefs will make an appearance with a special dish or two on the back patios in the summer. What to drink? They have the standard Rolling Rock and PBR but also some very inventive cocktails from some of Toronto’s best bartenders including the “Sake To Me"—ginger, beer, sake and blood orange. This place has gotten quite popular among the Toronto hipster set that the owners have opened up a new bar on Dundas West called Mr. Pong’s, a spin-off of an old Chinese take-out joint.

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Toronto's Not-So-Secret Speakeasy

Cold Tea, located in a hidden spot through Kensington Mall (or through an alley off Augusta Avenue) is everybody’s little secret. You’re greeted by a dim sum cart when you pass the red light leading through the mall. Ripped, printed green wallpaper and a cool font with the bar’s name decorates one wall. The Chinese lady preparing the dim sum wears a tuxedo-esque outfit complete with red bow tie. Inside, the back area of the bar offers seating on a leather banquette. Chairs and tables are removable for dancing; a cool mural by artist Mango Peeler adorns one wall and on another the letters “TBD” (because the art on the walls rotates monthly). Various DJs play on a regular basis and famed Toronto chefs will make an appearance with a special dish or two on the back patios in the summer. What to drink? They have the standard Rolling Rock and PBR but also some very inventive cocktails from some of Toronto’s best bartenders including the “Sake To Me"—ginger, beer, sake and blood orange. This place has gotten quite popular among the Toronto hipster set that the owners have opened up a new bar on Dundas West called Mr. Pong’s, a spin-off of an old Chinese take-out joint.

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