Are you planning to travel to Canada soon and are wondering what is the drinking age in Toronto? Here’s everything you need to know!
Just like most of Canada, the legal drinking age in Toronto is 19 years old. This makes the city a popular travel destination for young people from the U.S., where the drinking age is higher.
But, not only does Toronto have a relatively low drinking age, it also has Canada’s best nightlife and legalized cannabis. However, this doesn’t mean Toronto is without restrictions and, to be safe when traveling, it’s always important to understand the local laws and restrictions.
Having lived in Toronto since 2018, I have become well-accustomed to the rules here. So, to help you prepare for your trip, I’ve put together everything you need to know about the drinking age in Toronto, the city’s alcohol and drug laws, and how this could affect you.
What is the Drinking Age in Toronto?
In Toronto, and the province of Ontario, the legal drinking age is 19. This is prescribed by the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 and is regulated by the AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario).
These regulations prevent licensed establishments (such as bars, clubs, restaurants and liquor stores) from serving or selling alcohol to anyone under the age of 19. It’s also illegal for anyone of legal drinking age to pass an alcoholic drink to someone who is under the age of 19.
The only exception to this is when the alcohol is being supplied by a parent or legal guardian at home, or in another private place. However, in this situation, the drink must be consumed by the minor in the presence of the parent or guardian.
Legal Drinking Age in the Rest of Canada
Just like in Ontario, the legal drinking age in most of Canada’s provinces and territories is also 19. This includes Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, PEI, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon.
The only three exceptions to this are Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta, where the legal drinking age is 18 years old.
As the legal drinking age in these three provinces is slightly younger than in the rest of the country, the nightlife in these provinces is more accessible to a slightly younger demographic than in Toronto. Therefore, cities in these provinces, like Montreal and Calgary, are particularly appealing travel destinations for U.S. travellers who are still 18.
How does Toronto’s Drinking Age Compare to the US?
Compared to Canada, the U.S. maintains a nationwide legal drinking age of 21.
This 2 year difference compared to the drinking age in Toronto makes a big difference to the type of experience young U.S. travellers can have when visiting the city, compared to what they’re used to at home.
When visiting Toronto as young adults, U.S. travellers might get to experience nightlife and alcohol for the very first time. Although this will be exciting, it can also be dangerous when you’re not used to handling alcohol and are in an unfamiliar city.
Therefore, it’s important to drink responsibly and take certain safety precautions. Eating beforehand, drinking slowly, hydrating, familiarizing yourself with your surroundings, and staying together as a group are some of the things you can do to ensure you experience Toronto’s nightlife safely.
Other Drug & Alcohol Laws in Toronto
In addition to the legal drinking age in Toronto, there are several other drug and alcohol laws you should be aware of when visiting the city.
Drinking in Public
The rules surrounding drinking in public is a little confusing in Canada. In particular, Ontario has some conflicting laws.
It’s actually legal to drink alcohol at campsites in Canada’s national parks and Ontario’s provincial parks. However, having an open container of alcohol in public places in the City of Toronto, including parks, is not permitted.
The penalties for drinking in public can also vary in Toronto. If you’re caught drinking at a city park, beach or other municipal property, you could be fined up to $300. Whereas, if you’re caught drinking on the street, the maximum fine is only $150.
However, despite the risk of fines, drinking in public places in Toronto is actually quite common. On a summer day in Toronto you will likely come across groups of people socializing, picnicking and drinking at popular Toronto parks and beaches, like Trinity Bellwoods.
And in my 6 years living in Toronto I have never seen anyone get fined for drinking in public. From my experience, most often the police either turn a blind eye or simply make parkgoers pour out their drink. (Although I still wouldn’t recommend risking it!)
In fact, having a drink in the park has become such a popular activity in Toronto that in 2023 the city actually initiated a pilot program legalizing alcohol consumption in 27 of its parks for the summer. And, with the endorsem*nt of the city council, the program was extended until March 2024.
Given the pilot’s success, it’s possible the city will change the by-laws in the future, to permanently allow alcohol consumption in some (or all) of Toronto’s parks and other public spaces.
Public Intoxication
Public intoxication is also illegal in Toronto and is a federal criminal offence. The penalties for this vary based on the severity. They can start at around a $100 fine for drunk and disorderly conduct, or up to a $5,000 fine and a prison term for a more serious disturbance, like fighting.
Cannabis
In 2018 the production, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis was legalized in Canada.
The federal laws allow for adults 18 years of age and above to possess up to 30 grams of cannabis, share it with other adults, buy cannabis products from licensed retailers, grow up to 4 cannabis plants for personal use, and make homemade cannabis products, like food and drinks.
However, each Canadian province can increase its age limit, which Ontario did opt to do. Therefore, the cannabis age limit in Toronto and the rest of Ontario is 19 years of age, which matches the province’s legal drinking age.
It’s also worth noting that the 30 gram possession limit applies specifically to dried cannabis. But the Cannabis Act provides limit equivalents for other forms of cannabis.
Cannabis is now so popular in Toronto that you will find a licensed retailer on almost every street! And, unlike drinking alcohol, it’s legal to smoke cannabis recreationally in many public places, like parks and on sidewalks. So, you will likely see (and smell) a lot of it while you’re exploring Toronto.
Drugs
All drugs other than cannabis and tobacco are categorized as controlled substances and are illegal in Canada. This includes cocaine, ketamine, heroine, ecstasy and amphetamines.
And, although you may notice some shops selling magic mushrooms in Toronto, it’s worth noting that these are also still illegal in Canada.
The possession, production, sale and distribution of illicit drugs anywhere in Canada can lead to criminal charges. The penalties for these offences range from fines between $250 and $500for minor possession, up to life imprisonment for trafficking of certain substances.
Impaired Driving
Like most places in the world, there are impaired driving laws to abide by in Canada. In all Canadian provinces it is illegal for fully licensed drivers to operate a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or more (80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood).
Cannabis and other drug-impaired driving is also prohibited in Canada. The prohibited level of cannabis is 2 nanograms or more of THC per millilitre of blood. However, there are more severe penalties for 5 nanograms or more, and for a combination of THC and alcohol.
As for illicit drugs, it’s prohibited to have any traces in your system within 2 hours of driving.
Driving impaired is a federal criminal offence in Canada. The penalties range from a minimum fine of $1000 CAD for a first offence to lengthy prison terms for more serious offences.
Things to Know About Toronto’s Nightlife
In addition to knowing the local laws, there are some other things you should know about drinking in Toronto before visiting the city.
Vibrant Nightlife
Although Ontario doesn’t have the lowest legal drinking age in Canada, Toronto is known for its vibrant nightlife. In fact, this is one of the best reasons to visit Toronto!
In the city, you will find a wide range of unique bars, nightclubs and live music venues, to suit crowds of all ages. Some of the most popular nightlife areas in the city include:
- King Street West (particularly near Portland Street), for a young crowd, lively bars and clubs and street entertainment.
- The Entertainment District, for up-market rooftop bars, nightclubs and the theatre district.
- Ossington Avenue (between Dundas and Queen), for unique bars and restaurants, sidewalk patios, and low-key dance spots.
- Queen Street West for a little bit of everything including wine bars, patios, sports bars, live music and dive bars.
- Dundas Street West for late night spots, intimate co*cktail bars and themed venues, such as arcade bars!
Bar & Club Opening Hours
In Toronto, you’ll be able to find bars or clubs open at various hours of the day and night. Particularly at weekends, many bars and restaurants will be open and serving alcohol from 9 or 10 am for brunch, right through the day.
Bars which only operate in the evenings will usually open from 5 pm. Whereas clubs tend to open around 10 or 11 pm. Most venues only have licenses to sell alcohol until 2 am, so closing time is usually between 2 to 3 am at the latest.
However, there are some exceptions throughout the year. During special events, certain bars and clubs are sometimes granted extended opening hours until 4 am.
Always Carry ID
It’s important to always carry appropriate ID with you when going out in Toronto. Licensed establishments and liquor stores will always ask to see a piece of ID if you look 25 or younger.
You will need to show government issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) to prove you meet the legal drinking age in Toronto.
And many venues, like late night bars and clubs, will card you at the door. So you won’t even be allowed to go inside without showing ID.
Happy Hour
There actually isn’t a huge happy hour culture in Toronto, although this is changing. The Ontario liquor laws prevent establishments from dropping their prices too low and from promoting them in a way which could encourage excessive drinking. In fact, the term ‘happy hour’ wasn’t even allowed to be used before 2019, when this restriction was removed.
Now, happy hours are starting to pop up more around the city. So you may find some good deals, usually between 5 and 7 pm on weekdays. But, to figure out where to go it’s best to ask a local, or do some research online to find the best deals.
Staying Safe
Overall, Toronto is a fairly safe city. However, there are still some precautions you should take when enjoying the city’s nightlife.
Although Toronto isn’t known for having high rates of alcohol-related crime, you should still be cautious when out in bars and clubs. Always make sure to keep an eye on your drink to avoid someone tampering with it. And if you do suspect anything, or it’s been out of your eyesight, then just order a new one.
The main nightlife areas in Toronto generally feel very safe, as there are usually a lot of people around, and police keeping an eye out. However, if you do find yourself feeling unsettled, don’t hesitate to head into a shop, restaurant or bar and ask someone for help.
Like in any big city, you should also avoid walking through quiet, dark or isolated areas late at night. And it’s never a good idea to venture off alone after a few drinks. Therefore, it’s always best to stay with your group, only walk short distances at night, and take an Uber or taxi to stops which are further away.
➡️ READ MORE about Safety in Toronto
FAQs
Can a US Citizen drink in Canada at 19?
Yes, U.S. citizens can drink in Canada at 19. The legal drinking age in Canada is between 18 and 19, depending on the province. This applies to everyone in Canada, including U.S. citizens and visitors from other countries.
Are there any exceptions to Toronto’s drinking age?
The only exception is when alcohol is being supplied by a supervising parent or guardian at home, or in another private place. Other than this, there are no exceptions to the legal drinking age in Toronto or in the rest of Ontario.
How strict is the enforcement of the drinking age in Toronto?
Bars and clubs are generally strict about checking IDs to ensure patrons are of legal drinking age in Toronto.
If a licensed establishment fails to comply with the age restrictions, they can face hefty fines and revocation or suspension of their liquor licence. Therefore, compliance with the legal drinking age is standard practice for bars and clubs in Toronto.
Can you buy beer and wine in grocery stories in Toronto?
You can buy beer and wine in some grocery stores in Toronto. In 2015, some grocery stores became eligible to apply to sell beer and wine, but the margins they must abide by are very slim. This, combined with theft issues, has led a number of grocers to stop selling alcohol products for now.
However, the Ontario government has recently announced a change, to allow for the sale of wine, beer, cider and ready-to-drink co*cktails in grocery stores and convenience stores across the province by 2026. So, it’s likely that beer and wine will become much more common in Toronto’s grocery’s stores in the next couple of years.
Can you drink beer in public in Toronto?
Generally you’re not allowed to drink beer or other alcoholic beverages in public in Toronto. However, in the summer of 2023 the city implemented a pilot program to allow for alcohol consumption in 27 of Toronto’s parks.
For now, the pilot has been extended until March 2024. Once finished, the results will be released and a decision will be made whether to permanently change the by-laws to allow for drinking in some (or all) of Toronto’s parks.
Is drinking at 18 illegal in Canada?
It’s only legal to drink at age 18 in Canada in the provinces of Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta. As the drinking age varies by province, these three provinces have chosen a slightly lower legal drinking age than the rest of Canada.
What cities can you drink at 18 in Canada?
You can drink at age 18 in any cities in the provinces of Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta. The major cities in these provinces are Montreal, Quebec City, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg.
Is the drinking age 21 anywhere in Canada?
No, Canada does not have a drinking age limit of 21 anywhere in the country. Canada’s drinking age is 18 or 19, depending on the province.
Can you drink underage in Toronto if accompanied by your parents?
You can drink underage at home or in a private residence if supervised by your parents and if they are the ones supplying the alcohol. However, you cannot order an alcoholic drink under the age of 19 in a licensed establishment, even if accompanied by your parents.
Can you drink at 18 in Montreal?
Yes, you can drink at age 18 in Montreal. Montreal is located in Quebec, where the legal drinking age is 18 years old.
Final Thoughts – Drinking Age in Toronto
So, what is the legal drinking age in Toronto? It’s 19 years old. And, unless you will be drinking at home with your parents, there are no exceptions.
Hopefully this overview of Toronto’s alcohol and drug restrictions has helped you understand what to expect when you visit.
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