Hello and welcome to Weekend Coffee Share #21! I’m glad you’re here. Please come on in, help yourself to a cup of coffee, or tea, or hot chocolate at my coffee station and let’s chat.
The Distillery District is a favourite place to explore Victorian industrial architecture, heritage buildings, interesting art installations, delightful coffee shops, a distillery, a beer brewery, a sake brewery, delicious restaurants, unique art galleries, and specialty stores.
What began as the Gooderham and Worts Distillery in 1832 grew to become the largest distillery in the world. The Distillery District was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1988. Let me show you in pictures.
Heritage Buildings
The Distillery District itself is popular with locals and visitors alike. Upon entering the district, you’ll be greeted by hues of dark green and burnt orange. You can wander the ten pedestrian-friendly cobblestone streets to see more than forty heritage buildings, the largest collection of Victorian-era industrial architecture in North America.
A good meeting place is at the clock in the main square where one can see the Gooderham & Worts Limited sign and the streets that branch out from there.
The Stone Distillery and fermenting cellar built in 1860, rebuilt 1870, takes up a long block on Distillery Lane. It’s the building with white-grey stone colour. Its original use: Gristmill and granary, mashing and distillation areas, and steam engine room.
On Trinity Street, on display is the Millstone that was brought from England in 1832 and used for grinding grain. There’s history everywhere you look and I was interested in reading the Heritage Plaques indicating the original function of each building and its date of construction.
Green doors and windows are consistent throughout the Distillery District. However, their designs vary.
Spirit of York Distillery has taken up residence in what was once the Gooderham & Worts malting room. Spirit of York produce gin, vodka and whisky using locally sourced water from Springwater, considered some of the purest water in the world.
Art Installations
At the intersection of Trinity Street and Distillery Lane is the gigantic Still Dancing sculpture, a twisted and colourful depiction of the area’s past as a distillery, designed by artist Dennis Oppenheim.
Along Gristmill Lane, there are three notable Love, Peace and Red Heart art installations by Toronto-born artist Mathew Rosenblatt. The Love sign is filled with love locks.
Peace 
Red Heart
Also on Gristmill Lane, Michael Christian’s I.T. sculpture looks over the neighbourhood with a red eye alien stare from its post.
Aside from public art installations, the Distillery District is home to more than twenty art galleries, two theatres, and many specialty shops.
Cafés and Eateries
The Distillery District is a wonderful place for wanderings with a stop for takeaway coffee and cake. Café Balzac’s is a local favourite. Inside this coffee shop, you’ll find exposed brick, vintage posters and chandeliers. The shelves are full of colourfully packaged coffee beans and tea, while the counter is lined with cookies, pastries and cakes.
The Distillery District offers something for every taste bud. Examples: Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie, El Catrin Destileria, Izumi Sake Brewery, Mill St. Brew Beer Hall, and Pure Spirits Oyster House & Grill.
In normal times, the Distillery District is packed with people. I appreciate the lack of crowds during the COVID-19 pandemic and Toronto’s lockdown.
Although I’ve been to the Distillery District on many occasions, I’ve still only scratched the surface. You could easily spend an entire day here. My walk began and ended at Cherry and Mill Streets. It was a fantastic outing.
Linked to #LifeThisWeek.
What do you think? I’d love to hear your comments.
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Natalie the Explorer 
Natalie, i read that your city has had the longest period of lockdown than any other..in the world?! That’s huge. I hope over time, things are improving and that with the vaccinations happening you and your fellow citizens can experience summer more easily. In Australia one major city has gone into a 7 day lockdown. It seems, despite the stringent rules about coming back to Australia and quarantine, the virus spreads…and hotels where people are in quarantine are a common source. Anyway back to your photos. I particularly love that green. Sometimes called British Racing Green and back in the 1990s lots of us in Australia building new homes used that green as outside and inside decor calling it Federation Green. Enough from me. Thanks for the linkup. I have shared a woman of courage today whose relationship to me is very special! Denyse
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Denyse, Yes, with the ramped up vaccinations, things are improving here in May and looking good for this summer. Toronto’s lockdown impacts indoor non-essential services but many of them have been available online or take-out/ curbside pickups, and home delivery channels. There has never been any curfew and people have been encouraged to go outside to exercise or for essential reasons.
Thanks for letting me know about the names of the green colour and for linking up with #WeekendCoffeeShare.
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Thanks so much for being part of the Life This Week Community by linking up. I always appreciate my blogging friends comments on my post too. Have a great first week of June. See you next Monday I hope. The optional prompt is: Motivate. Denyse.
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Thank you, Denyse. See you at the link-up.
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Hi Natalie – it certainly looks like something out of Victorian England – and then those art sculptures appear and it changes the flavour completely! Thanks for another interesting tour of a local Canadian area. And thanks for the link party – have a great weekend.
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Hi Leanne, I think the contemporary artworks bring the Distillery District to the 21st century and give it a youthful vibe. The combination of old and new appeals to a wide audience. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare. Have a great week!
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What a fantastic tour, Natalie! I love the sculptures and the love sign. Thank you for taking us along with you. Your photographs are wonderful. Enjoy the weekend!
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Thank you, Jill, for joining me. I greatly appreciate your ongoing support. I’m glad you liked the artworks and my photos. Have a wonderful week!
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This looks like exactly my sort of place – old buildings with lots of interesting details, modern art installations, lots of galleries to explore and cool places to eat. Thanks so much for telling us all about it 🙂
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Thank you, Sarah, for stopping by. The Distillery District has many appeals and it’s a photographer’s dream. I hope you visit it some day 🙂
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Distilleries are popular in recent discussions, Natalie. Possibly because people are slowly heading out of their homes and this is where they go to first? ☺️
I have driven by the Distillery District in Toronto, yet never stopped there. Your photos of the buildings are fascinating. Interesting about the Springwater. I hear how water makes a difference, even when baking bagels. An exceptional post as always, Natalie.😀 The first place I will head to when visiting Toronto next is Cafe Balzac. Yum!
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Erica/ Erika, Cafe Balzac’s is one of my favourite coffee shops. Can I meet or take you there next time you’re in Toronto? 😀
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It’s a date!!! ❤️
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Excellent!!! 🙂
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Luscious! Love the tour! The old buildings remind me of remaining older buildings in the town where I now live, and of the old school building in the town in which I lived for my first 17 years. Both of the towns were founded in 1871, and there are similarities in architecture. I have been sorry to see so many of the older buildings torn down to make way for the new.
Thank you, Natalie!
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Thank you, Lizl, for your comment. It’s wonderful to see architecture from the 1800’s. I’m glad to hear about the architectural similarities in your towns and Toronto.
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Yum – this looks like a day trip to Toronto is in order.
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Yes, the Distillery District would make a wonderful day trip.
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Wow! You’re posts always fill my mind and imagination with such inspirations. I look at these buildings and I see a world of stories that they could tell. Oh, it’s so good to be feeling a bit better today…. my mind is engaged, even if I can’t fight this exhausted feeling physically. Shalom, Bear
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Bear, Yes, there are more than 40 buildings in the Distillery District. Each served certain functions and their history is interesting. Hope you’re feeling better. Have a great week!
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What a fun district! Especially on a sunny day.
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It was a sunny and wonderful day to walk around the Distillery District.
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Hi, Natalie- I absolutely love the distillery district. Thank you for taking me back there!
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Thank you, Donna, for joining me virtually. Have a wonderful weekend!
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I wonder what the significance of the green doors is. Love the “love” art. It reminds me of the iconic “love” sculpture in Philly! 🙂
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The green colour was popular at the time and was chosen to give all the buildings a consistent look. Each of the 40+ buildings served specific functions at the Distillery. These were industrial buildings that worked together like a well-oiled machine. Their main purpose was utilitarian. The red heart does remind me of the one in Philly.
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I loved your tour of this area Natalie, those green doors, the art works the history, the sunshine – just fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂 I’m home this weekend so am able to join your #weekendcoffeeshare
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Hi Debbie, I’m glad that you enjoyed my virtual tour of the Distillery District and you could join my Coffee Share link up. Your thoughts on blogging would be of great interest to bloggers and link-up participants. Have a great weekend!
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That looks like the perfect place to spend an afternoon. The architecture and sculptures are wonderful!
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Janis, The Distillery District is a wonderful place to wander and discover, or sit in the square and watch the world go by.
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You had me at Distillery District. I reckon I would go there and never leave! My type of district for sure – art, whisky and great places to eat.
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Yes, the Distillery District is lovely, lots to see and do with laid back vibe. There are also interesting and informative (tasting) tours in the distillery and breweries.
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I’m there!
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oooooo…I think I’d love this area. That stone distillary building is gorgeous. I think this would be a favorite area of mine.
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Yes, the Distillery District is popular with locals and visitors alike. Lots of interesting things to explore and discover there.
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Looks like an interesting area. The old distillery building is great looking.
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Yes, the Stone Distillery is a beautiful and well-kept heritage building.
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Hi Natalie, what a wonderful historic area, full of beautiful old buildings. Your posts always make me want to visit your part of the world. Regards, Christina
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Hi Christina, I hope you get to visit Toronto one day and let me know when you come.
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You live in what looms to be a very interesting city Natalie. I do hope I’m able to get there for a visit one day. As much as I’d love to, I haven’t been able to join in with #weekend coffee share as I’m working weekends. This will all change at the end of June so hope to be able to participate again in July.
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Jennifer, I hope you get to visit Toronto and let me know when you come. I look forward to your participation with Weekend Coffee Share when your schedule allows.
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I am usually the kind of person who loves to sit at home with a book or watch some interesting shows on the OTT platforms with a packet of crispy potato wafers. Spending time outside had never been my thing. But with this pandemic and all, I am longing for a day out these days. And your short trip pictures only make my urge stronger 🙂
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Yes, a change of scenery from time to time is good. It can be something light and close to home but not the four walls at home 🙂
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I especially love going to plays at Soulpepper!!!
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Yes, they have good plays there.
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Looks like a fascinating area. Although it is sad that Covid has made it a ghost town for now, it is cool in a way that you are able to capture it with so few people. I’m sure in the not too distant future it will be jammed with people most nights.
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Yes, I like that I have photos of what the district looks like during lockdown. I have some photos of the same place full of people before the COVID-19 pandemic.
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I love this place, I don’t remember it from my old days of “night life” in Toronto
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The Distillery District was redeveloped in 2001 and opened to the public the way it is in 2003 so it has undergone some good changes. The original buildings are designated heritage buildings.
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Hi Natalie, I love the historical buildings that you have shown us and also that The Distillery District is now used for public enjoyment as well as keeping the heritage buildings. Have a great week and thanks for #weekendcoffeeshare
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Hi Sue, The Distillery District is certainly an enjoyable space. Thank you for joining me. Have a wonderful week!
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I totally enjoyed this tour, Natalie. I’d love to walk around here in person. I love the details in the brick work of the old buildings the best.
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Dan, You’d have so much fun visiting this district. There are more than 40 buildings and many artifacts, each with specific functions for distillery. The brick work is beautiful.
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I would so love to see that district in person. Thanks for sharing it. What a cool place. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
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Patrick, You’d enjoy the Distillery District. Lots to see, learn, and photograph, or just relax. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great long weekend!
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Very cool tour, Natalie. You certainly know your city. Have a great week.
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Thank you Antoinette for your kind comment. I greatly appreciate it.
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When I was in Toronto in 2015, we were meant to go to the Distillery District but for some reason, didn’t end up going and I’m now even more bummed about that after seeing your post. This looks awesome! So much to do and explore.
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Now you have a good ‘thing to do’ for your next visit to Toronto. I’m confident you’ll enjoy the Distillery District.
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Thank you for this satisfying tour of the Distillery District! The art here is wow-able! I am particularly taken by the IT sculpture …
I hear you about the streets being less crowded. It is the same here – so it make my outings to the grocery store so much more pleasant! Small mercies!
Have a good week, Natalie! Stay safe & well … enjoy your lovely outings!
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Thank you Ju-Lyn. The Distillery District is an artistic community. Lots of public art installations and galleries to explore. Agreed with you about the small mercies. I heard about the lockdown in Singapore. Stay safe and well.
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Ah! There are no longer any functional distilleries then? What a great idea to convert the area to indoor & outdoor art spaces!
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Yes, Spirit of York Distillery produces gin, vodka and whisky. Izumi brewery makes sake, and Mill Street brewery makes beer.
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Ooooh, working distilleries and an art district!
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I love the pictures of the doors. So many different styles.
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Thank you, Tessa, for your comment. I also like the variety of green doors at the Distillery District.
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Your welcome!
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That looks great! I wonder if the love locks work will topple over like the bridges do when people add too many?!
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I think the artist or the District will find a way to reinforce the Love artwork.
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Fab place! The doors images are superb. I am quite obsessed with old doors.
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Thank you, Jody, for your comment. There are many green doors in different designs at the district. You’d have fun here. I enjoyed examining them up close and taking photographs.
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I enjoyed the public art at the Distillery District. Thank you for the tour!
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Thank you, Julie, for joining me virtually. I’m glad you liked the public art installations.
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Hi Natalie, I always love a good history lesson, and one with pictures and brick can’t go wrong. Everything is so clean, and it does look strange without people. In fact, it looks like a professional photographer’s shots for a business. I love how you have the post organized by objects.
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Hi Marsha, You made me blush re: professional photographer’s shots, hehe. This District is well-maintained. I was glad to spend some time there to look at things closely and took photos with my phone camera.
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Very great shots. It was funny, I went to the link to post my Wednesday Quotes and it said the link party was over. I though, “Over? It’s not midnight.” It took me a minute longer to realize it wasn’t Sunday. 🙂 Where does the time fly?
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I hope time flies because you are having fun 🙂
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I am. We’ve just started playing pickle ball. We took three days of lessons and now we are flying on our own. A bunch of people in our neighborhood are playing as well, so we are getting acquainted, having fun, and getting in shape. (I hope) 🙂
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That’s fantastic, Marsha. Fitness, Friendships and Fun, You’re doing it right.
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It’s a great new hobby. We have been going every morning. So far I’m the number one worst of any of the two couples we play with, but it is still loads of fun.
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As long as you enjoy playing, with regular play, you’ll improve big time. Have fun today!
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Thanks, Natalie. I won my first two games – EVER! So I feel good now. 🙂
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Well done, Marsha! PB World, watch out. A new talent emerged.
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LOL!
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I enjoyed having coffee with you last night when I returned from my trip up north to help my daughter pack up her apartment for her new house she is leasing. I’ve been so incredibly busy lately but am enjoying every minute. You share the best photos! Have a great week! ❤️ ~Diana
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Thank you, Diana, for stopping by in spite of your busy schedule. I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying every minute. Packing and moving are always a lot of work. I hope your daughter’s move goes well. Look forward to your blog post whenever you have time to blog.
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