New cocktail bar from local talent to open in trendy Toronto area
Published February 24, 2026 at 11:55 am
A new cocktail bar is shaping up to open soon in a trendy Toronto neighbourhood.
Quietly building a social media presence over the winter, all while promising an upcoming debut in Lesliville — a storied part of the east end — is a new spot called Bar Etc.
Drip-feeding videos of ongoing renovations and preparations on their Instagram account; it’s looking like the new cocktail concept is likely to open any week now.
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According to Google, the space will open, where The Dive Shop, a surf-themed bar and restaurant, used to reside.
As for who will be behind the show, according to the official Instagram account of Sasha Siegel, a renowned local mixologist behind bar programs at locations such as Bar Banane on Ossington and the newly opened Lonely Diner on College St, it also looks like he will also be running cocktail service at Bar Etc.
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While no official word has been released on Bar Etc.’s website or official Instagram page on when the new space will be exactly opening, the most recent post stated ‘winter 2026’ — so Toronto’s east end could be in for a new place to be any day now.
Bar Etc. is set to open this winter, at 1036 Gerrard St E.