At first glance, you’d never know that the Broadview Hotel was a former strip joint and derelict boarding house after the historic Toronto establishment was restored to its former glory as a hotel in 2017. And it’s an intriguing thought to ponder while lingering over drinks on the venue’s vaunted seventh-floor Rooftop patio, which boasts some of the best views in the city.
(Upon closer examination, the hotel does display subtle reminders of the building’s notorious past as Jilly’s peeler bar, including memorabilia including posters and poles in some of the rooms and public places).
Nevertheless, the restoration (which won the Lieutenant Governor’s heritage conservation award) of the 128-year-old building – it was known as the New Broadview Hotel as recently as 2014 – and reopening (sans the new) as a boutique hotel elicited a bona fide buzz in the city, which continues today.
That’s in part because of its fabulous new-build rooftop restaurant and patio, an indoor-outdoor space that features a 360°-glass facade, pyramidal skylight, and expansive rooftop terrace with panoramic views overlooking the city (and distant CN Tower) and the adjacent Don River valley.
The menu, meanwhile, references “Toronto’s culinary past” but “with a modern twist” divided into elegant snacks (chili lime popcorn, margarita watermelon bites), baos (soy brazed pork belly ginger scallion), sharables (empanadas, kimchi fries), and larger plates (dim sum sampler, rice or soba bowl). There are no wings or chips.
Meanwhile, the sips menu includes half a dozen craft draught beers – including Jilly’s Blonde in a nod to the aforementioned history of the place – and a couple of Kronenbourgs, all at $9 at pop. There’s also a limited selection of bottled beers, hailing from a close as Collingwood and as far away as Amsterdam and Mexico, as well as cocktails and wine by the glass or bottle.
The Broadview Hotel is located at 106 Broadview Ave. (at Queen), just east of the Don Valley divide. Patio hours (reservations can be made for the outdoor section only) are 4-10 p.m. Mon.-Wed., noon to 10 p.m., Thurs. and Sun.; and noon to midnight Fri. and Sat.
Those with a fear of heights can opt for the second-floor Beer Garden & Grill, open 5-10 p.m. Thurs-Sat. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
The Rooftop is currently open for business and observing COVID precautions including socially distanced tables, information gathering (in case of tracing) and indoor mask usage.
With summer in mind – and glass in hand – we at Travel Industry Today continue our seasonal series on some of the planet’s best bars, patios and rooftop venues to enjoy during the (hopefully good) weather. Send your suggestions to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com.