Toronto’s Distillery District is one of the oldest areas of the city and consists of a number of well preserved historic buildings. The site dates back to the 1830s and today there are over 30 Victorian buildings to explore. Canadian whisky was produced here for approximately 100 years and at one point it was the largest distillery district in the world. Today, the area is a hub for art, culture and entertainment. Thanks to restoration works, many of the buildings are well-maintained and the area makes for a beautiful escape from the city.
History of Toronto’s Distillery District
The Distillery District was founded by brother-in-laws William Gooderham and James Worts, who had moved to Canada from England. In 1832, they first opened the site as a mill, as Worts had prior milling experience back home. Tragically, Worts passed away only two years later in 1834, and his death is somewhat of a mystery. His body was found at the bottom of a well on site and many believe he was overcome with the grief of recently losing his wife during childbirth. However, no one is completely sure what happened.
Gooderham continued on with the business and opened the site’s first distillery in 1837. In those times, it was common for distilleries to be opened alongside mills, as it provided a profitable opportunity to deal with waste. Gooderham ended up going into partnership with his son George and Worts’ son James and together they built a successful business.
Whisky Production
In 1861, the Stone Mill & Distillery opened on site, which significantly increased the production of whisky. At this time, over 2 million gallons of whisky were produced every year! For a while, Toronto’s distillery district was the largest in the British Empire and at one point, was even the largest in the world. Whisky production continued on into the 20th century however, along with the rest of world, things came to a halt during World War I with the beginning of Prohibition in Canada.
Prohibition in Canada
The history of Prohibition in the United States is widely known, but Canada also had a period where alcohol was banned. The origins of Canadian Prohibition began with the temperance movement in the 19th century, which promoted the belief that the consumption of alcohol was a key contributor to many of society’s problems. Proponents of the temperance movement often advocated for either extremely moderate consumption, or the total ban of alcohol.
In 1878, the Canada Temperance Act was passed which gave local governments control over alcohol laws and ultimately, the option to ban it. Prince Edward Island was the first province to ban alcohol in 1901, however the other provinces followed suit with the arrival of the First World War. During the war, Prohibition was seen as an act of patriotism, as the country focussed on war efforts.
During World War I, Gooderham & Worts actually turned over the use of the distillery to the British government. The site was used to make ketone and acetone, which were key ingredients used in explosives. After the war, the provinces slowly repealed the Prohibition Laws, but Ontario was one of the last, only repealing in 1927. This made carrying on business difficult for Gooderham & Worts and they ended up selling the distillery. The business eventually acquired Hiram Walker’s Sons, becoming Hiram Walker-Gooderham & Worts. Eventually, most of the whisky production moved to Windsor, where it remains today.
The last whisky was produced in Toronto’s Distillery District in 1957. Afterwards, rum and industrial alcohol became the focus of production, until 1987 when the last alcohol was produced.
Visiting Toronto’s Distillery District Today
In the early 2000s, the owners of the site decided to renovate the properties and transform the area into a hub for arts and culture. The Distillery District, as we know it today, officially opened to the public in 2003. Today, it is a popular attraction in Toronto’s east end, for both tourists and locals.
A number of boutique shops can be found in the Distillery District, which sell everything from vintage clothes, to candles, to tasty treats. You can also visit The Spirit of York, which has actually brought distilling back to this iconic location. In the district you’ll also find the Young Centre for Performing Arts, which puts on a number of shows and events.
The Distillery District also has a number of great bars and restaurants and is a great place to go for a meal. One of my favourite restaurants is El Catrin Destileria, which serves some of the yummiest Mexican food in the city!
Overall, Toronto’s Distillery District makes for a great outing. It’s a great place to enjoy and immerse yourself in some of the city’s oldest history.
Key Information for Visiting Toronto’s Distillery District
1. How do you get to Toronto’s Distillery District?
The Distillery District is located in the east end of Toronto and is about a 5-10 minute drive from Union Station (depending on traffic). The subway does not go to the Distillery District but you can get there by either bus or streetcar. If you prefer to walk, it’s about 30 minutes from Union Station.
2. When is it open?
You can wander through the Distillery District at any time, but it is officially open Monday to Wednesday from 12pm-7pm, Thursday to Saturday from 10am-9pm and Sunday from 10am-7pm.
Visit the official website to check opening times before visiting.
3. How much does it cost to visit the Distillery District?
A great thing about the Distillery District is that it’s free to walk around. At certain times of the year however, some events (such as the holiday market) may be ticketed.
4. What is the best time to visit?
The Distillery District has a beautiful atmosphere, no matter what time of year you visit. Depending on what you have planned for your trip, you can either visit during the day, or during the evening. If you’re in Toronto in the lead up to the holidays, I would also recommend attending The Distillery Winter Village. This holiday market is usually open from mid-November to the end of December.
Visit here to learn more about events in the Distillery District.
5. What things are there to do in Toronto’s Distillery District?
As a hub of arts and culture, the Distillery District has plenty of things to do. You can visit one of the boutique shops, have a drink in a bar or go for a meal in one of the restaurants. There’s also often street performers and musicians performing outside. And of course, you can wander around the Victorian buildings to discover the area’s history.
6. What other things are there to do nearby?
Toronto’s Distillery District is located in one of the oldest areas of the city, which means there are a few other historical sites nearby. Approximately a 15-minute walk from here is the St. Lawrence Market, which first opened in the 19th century. From there, you’re also close to Toronto’s Old Town, which includes sites like Old City Hall and the Flat Iron Building.
7. Where can I learn more about the history of Toronto’s Distillery District?
The Distillery District has a fantastic website with further information on its heritage. You can learn more by visiting here.
This article’s information was last updated in October 2022.