BYOB Cocktail Emporium

Where has this place been all my life?
As Jason below described it perfectly, it is indeed a toys-​r-​us for adults. Adults who love to make a mean cocktail!
I admit I’m not a huge drinker. However, I definitely appreciate a well-​made cocktail and I have a slight fan-​girl thing for bar carts and bar accessories. The assortment of glassware here is fantastic and the selection of bitters and syrups is crazy. I was very intrigued by the high-​end Japanese made tools, never realized my people made such great bartender play things.
If you need inspiration for housewarming or special occasion gifts, I would def. check this place out! My only complaint would be the prices might be a bit high, but I feel like that’s justified in these specialized stores (with the hope you are getting great advice from expert sales people).

Finally, a really great store that has all the barware you could think of!!!
This is a really cool store for gifts for those who love to drink or love to make drinks or love to entertain.
They sell a nice selection of vintage bar ware along with a great selection of anything that has to do with cocktails and drinking. They have barware of all types: glass, crystal, copper, stainless, plastic. From Tiki barware to Japanese stir sticks to vintage gold rimmed glassware they have you covered.
And if you are into cocktails they have the biggest selection of syrups, shrubs and bitters. Any flavours of bitters you could think of is there and it’s all tax free!
The staff there are friendly and enthusiastic and willing to answer any of your questions or make some great suggestions. I picked up a beautiful pair of crystal whiskey glasses and I can’t wait to use it!
I had no problem finding gifts here and finding inspiration on making my next favorite cocktail or prepare for the next dinner or drinking party!

Wanna guess who the GTA’s next big mixologist is? I’ll give you a hint, he’s about 6’1, has a beard that changes its length like a Yo-Yo’s string AND I bet you’re reading his review right now! Yep — it’s me and it’s all thanks to B-​Y-​O-​B! (Rhymes rule)
So where would someone who loves to drink cocktails but who hasn’t made more than a few basics get that sort of confidence? Well I bought that at BYOB too… along with a wooden muddler, a couple varieties of aromatics (bitters), cocktail cherries and some simple syrup (yes I know it’s easy to make it but I was in a rush and it was right there).
BYOB, literally has everything that the amateur or professional cocktailer/​mixologist could want to stock or restock a craft cocktail bar. Every tool, bitter, glass, book … everything! Also, be sure you know roughly what brand of bitters you want half the store is bitters, floor to ceiling bitters yo!
However, shopper beware get ready to pay for it AND be advised if you don’t have your wits about you, they will up-​sell you right out of your pants. Example: I wanted cocktail cherries, there were many options — the recommended the $ 25 jar… When my bill came up over $ 80 I first asked for a shot of alcohol, and THEN asked what the prices were of things — I removed said $ 25 cherries and opted for the much more reasonable $ 11 jar (note: They were equally delish).
I’m in the process of building up a home cocktail bar so I know I’ll be spending plenty more of my dollars (wisely) here in the near future!
SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE… SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE… SHAKE that cocktail… shake that cocktail!!!

This is pretty much an adult Toys-​R-​Us, especially if you are into cocktails.
Was there anything they didn’t have? Ok… wait…I know I can think of something… oh. Lewis bags. Those canvas bags used to crush ice. Didn’t see those for sale.
It is far more fun to think about what they DO have: virtually any bitters you could ever want, tons of nice glassware, boston shakers, books, etc., etc. I have looked for some of this stuff around town and haven’t found it anywhere else.
Prices were OK. I suspect you could save a buck by buying online but then you’d forgo the pleasureable experience of browsing the store. The saleslady was very helpful.
I bought the pack of large ice cube trays, a boston shaker set (you can make your own) and some orange bitters.
It is close to MOCCA so use the Ossington bus or Queen car. Highly recommended!

I’ve lately been getting back into making drinks at home so when my friend told me about this place, I was stoked to check it out.
They have all the basic bartending accessories you’d expect along with some more unnecessary items like gold-​plated jiggers. They also have a ridic selection of bitters to choose from.
While there is a lot available, and although I don’t have another store to compare to, prices seemed to be quite high. A large shaker, which I’ve seen at Tap Phong for $ 6.99, goes for $ 13.99. Perhaps it’s the Queen West mark-​up?
Aside from this, the cashier charged me extra. Rather than simply refunding me the difference to my debit card, we went through an awkward few minutes as she didn’t know how to (or didn’t have access to) refund money using the POS. She had to calculate out the difference using pen and paper and then texted her boss to get permission to refund me the money in cash.
In conclusion, big ups on selection but no go on pricing and service.

Tis the season to shop locally, falalalalalalala laaaaa.
But guess what, friends? Stylish stemware is always in season. BYOB is the perfect place to buy gifts for loved ones, enemies with fabulous taste, and yourself. It is a veritable who’s who of all the best celebrity glass couples. I tend to buy in pairs, because one stunning cocktail glass alone looks so lonely, no matter how perfect it is.
The shop is jam-​packed with crystal and other vintage drinking trinkets, so don’t come in drunk. No one likes a bull in a china shop. Figuratively. Literally, I think a bull in a china shop would be an excellent youtube video.
PROF PEPPER: The original champagne glasses were modeled after Marie Antoinette’s breasts.

BYOB is the best store in Toronto if you are looking to get inspire, get gifts for your picky drinking friends for special occasions.
Great selections of bar and cocktail wares. All these bitters for crafted cocktail mix, all these cool utensils, all these gadgets, and oh Beer Making kits!
Maybe I can look like a cool mixlogist if I can stock up on some of the products that BYOB Cocktail Emporium!

As a committed booze hound who would like to pretend that her regular imbibing is a ‘classy hobby’, this store is a quirky little shrine to old-​school drinking that helps continue that delusion.
Absinthe fountains? Full vintage cocktail shaker sets with fabulous patterns? Coasters fashioned from unwanted records? Enormous, graphic ceramic ashtrays? You can find all these in this niche boutique, and the price tags won’t make you want to reach for the nearest shot of Jameson.
I fully recommend this store to stock up your home bar on its selection of accessories alone, but please be warned — I found the service lacking. The women behind the counter were far too interested in texting, and their own conversation, to help my companion select a bottle of bitters he was buying for a gift or to offer any interaction beyond what was needed to complete the transaction. Disappointing, to say the least.
Nevertheless, I’ll be back. I know that somewhere in my near future I’m going to need a set of Tiki mugs. Yes, need. You know, for fruity beverages that require tiny umbrellas, and if you’re going to judge me you’re not invited.

I did some Christmas shopping here and found lots of fun stuff for the wine/​beer/​liquor drinkers on my list. You are guaranteed to find whatever you’re looking for, as well as a few things you never knew you needed. They have all kinds of bar paraphernalia like coasters, flasks, whiskey rocks, stainless steel straws, recipe books, and martini shakers. Everything you need for a classy DIY cocktail party at home. During the holidays, they had some gift boxes at the front, but they also let you create your own. They also are having a cocktail mixing class starting up in 2012. At the back, there is a small section of jewelery and women’s clothing. Staff are helpful and cool.

Stumbled across BYOB on a jaunt down Queen Street West, and I was immediately enamoured. BYOB is a place for those who think of drinking more as a cultured past-​time than a weekend necessity, with its variety of tools and accessories for the alcohol aficionado in you. The shelves are lined with booze related books, cups, shakers, measures, stoppers, pourers, and coasters, just to name a few (unintentional rhyming bonus).
BYOB’s offerings marry the type of functional, fabulous items one might want to purchase for their own home bars, with stock that would serve as beautiful, interesting gifts. A classy «whiskey on the rocks» set for your boss? Check. A Titanic shaped ice cube mold for your film-​buff friend? Got it. My personal favourite find was the large selection of bitters lining the counter. Fee Brothers, The Bitter Truth, and Bittermens!
I’m generally skeptical of such niche, specialty shops, but this is one that works. Don’t forget to bring your own… bag.

I was half-​expecting one of those frou-​frou home décor spaces where you’re afraid to touch anything and gasp silently every time you glance at a price tag. This is not that place. BYOB is a «one stop shop» for your bar and cocktail needs and it really doesn’t disappoint. There are all manner of supplies for the booze-​thusiast: cocktail shakers, beer making kits, coasters shaped like records and kitschy glassware. Whether you drink beer, wine or spirits (and there is even stuff for coffee drinkers) you’ll find something cool here.
They is a good mix of new and old here. Some vintage glass coasters reminded me of my dad’s old silver-​rimmed ashtray. I’d get it for him but smoking’s a nasty habit, and I’m the didactic type. Maybe I’ll get him an absinthe fountain here instead. They have those here too.
It would be a challenge to not find a worthwhile gift for your drinky-​drinky friends. And the best part: affordable. I was able to spot a tonne of cool things for under $ 40. I will have to return to pick up some 20″ baseless champagne flutes.
Obligatory Title Cryptic: Dyslexic b-​boy initially totes flask. (4)
Menu Readability: If their logo’s typeface was anymore 70s, it would be experience double-​digit inflation.
Need to mention: Oh, and there is Blue Jays memorabilia and even some furniture too.
What this place teaches me about myself: I am torn: do I want a vintage glass cocktail shaker or the ultra-​modern steel one with the fliptop? Decisions.

I love this store!
It has all the accessories you need for semi-​sophisticated entertaining. Reminds me of a nite ala Mad Men (on AMC).
There were so many things i wanted to buy… too bad I don’t live in the TO! But i may have to go back to grab the «Hello My Name is…» erasable tags. SO creative!

Stopped in at BYOB this evening after reading about it on Toronto Life.
BYOB is a specialty shop which carries all sorts of BOOZE accessories. Wineglasses, cocktail shakers, wine stoppers, bar sets, decanters, shot glasses etc.
What is unique is that lots of the inventory is vintage. They had a few vintage/​retro looking bar sets all in pristine condition. I’m not really into vintage stuff but there were many things here I would have liked to take home.
They also had some coffee brewing items and you could even buy vintage looking bar furniture.
It’s quite a big space and I have the feeling they are still waiting on more inventory, as the place seemed only half full.
Great place to buy gifts for your boozer friends!