This is the first bar I was ever served in. Lax attitude to checking IDs aside, it was super-hip then and has remained so over 20 years.

The location is excellent. Queen Street West has always been effortlessly trendy, and the bar is a stone’s throw from Toronto’s Chinatown. In recent years they have introduced an outside patio area in the summer which was needed as the restaurant/bar areas inside aren’t huge and weren’t coping with demand.

The food is quirky, tasty and the menu has an Asian slant.

In addition to the food and drinks, there is a backroom with pool tables and it is well worth a visit on a Friday or Satureday night. I’ve seen some excellent bands and comedy acts here and it’s really cheap to get in. It’s worth checking their website to see what’s coming up.

When you’ve had enough of the Eaton Centre shopping in the individual and funky boutiques on Queen Street West, pop into The Rivoli to re-fuel.