For a first-of-its-kind pop-up with an impressive pedigree, you’ll want to head to Bloor Street West to experience Civil Pours. A bartender-led brand that creates classic cocktails in keg and ready-to-pour bottle formats, Civil Pours is the newest venture from local mixology all-star Nick Kennedy. With a pop-up to celebrate the brand’s launch, guests are invited to sip each and every new offering on the 50-seat patio from now until mid-September.
As the owner of Vit Béo, Miracle Toronto and Civil Liberties Bar — which was recently voted Canada’s best bar for the second time by Canada's 100 Best — Nick Kennedy and his oeuvre need little introduction. What might require a deeper dive is Kennedy’s new business, Civil Pours. Co-founded in 2022 with veteran consumer goods executives and entrepreneurs Mary Beth and John Williamson, Civil Pours makes top-quality, shelf-stable classic cocktails available on draught and in bottles. Each one — from an Old Fashioned to an Espresso Martini, Margarita and Whiskey Sour — is made using proprietary distilling technology designed to amplify freshness and vibrancy and retain all flavour notes. In creating the menu, the team also prioritized sustainability, using landfill-destined ingredients, such as coffee grinds and citrus, in the lineup.
“Civil Pours is a natural extension of our team's passion for cocktails and hospitality, bringing novel solutions to solve age-old bartending problems," said Nick Kennedy, in a press release. "We're excited to give our guests and peers a sneak peek into how we're tapping into the leading edge of cocktail science and technology.”
Guests at the pop-up will discover a menu of four kegged cocktails, along with spirit-free Jalapeño Margaritas. Snacks and a selection of branded merchandise will also be available, with an on-site bottle shop making it easy for guests to tote home their faves.
Civil Pours Draught Cocktail Bar and Bottle Shop Pop-Up is located at 866 Bloor Street West. The pop-up will run from August 2nd to September 10th, and will be open Wednesdays to Fridays, between 6pm and 12am, Saturdays, from 2pm to 12am, and Sundays, from 2pm to 9pm. Can’t make it? Find Civil Pours’ kegged cocktails at Cactus Club, The Drake Hotel, King Taps, and other notable Toronto establishments.
