Bar Pompette: Toronto Cocktail Bar Ranked Among Canada’s Best

Bar Pompette, a cocktail bar located in the Little Italy neighborhood of Toronto, has been named the runner-up on the list of Canada’s 50 best bars. The establishment follows Montreal’s Cloakroom bar, which secured the top position on the list.

The rankings highlight a strong performance for the city of Toronto, which holds six of the top 10 spots on the national list.

Operational Concept and Origins

Opened in July 2021, Bar Pompette was established by husband-and-wife owners Jonathan and Martine Bauer. The venue was created as a sister concept to their neighboring French bistro, Pompette, which has since closed.

The bar’s culinary direction is led by Martine Bauer, a French national who previously served as the head chef at the Official Residence of the French Prime Minister before moving to Canada. Bauer produces charcuterie and small plates designed to pair with the bar’s cocktail offerings.

The establishment operates as a walk-in-only venue with a seating capacity of 30 guests. Its design is intended to evoke the atmosphere of sophisticated French cafés while remaining situated within Toronto’s busy Little Italy district.

Focus on Locavorism and Menu

The drinks program at Bar Pompette is defined by a commitment to locavorism, utilizing seasonal ingredients that are farmed or foraged within the Greater Toronto Greenbelt. This reliance on regional terroir means many of the menu items are ephemeral and available only while supplies last.

Despite the seasonal rotation, the bar maintains five staple signature cocktails. These include the Cornichon, a variation of a martini featuring dill oil and a splash of pickle distillate. Other notable offerings include the Nitro Colada, a nutty and silky drink served on draught that mixes pineapple juice and coconut rum.

The menu also features the Paloma Quemada, described as a smoky hot serve and the Breakfast at Tommy’s. The latter is a variant of a margarita that incorporates bitter orange and birria distillate, finished with a dusting of coriander.

International Recognition and Rankings

Bar Pompette has gained significant international visibility through various industry lists and reviews. In March 2026, Condé Nast reviewed the establishment, describing the cocktails as precise, playful, and endlessly inventive.

The bar has maintained a consistent presence on the North America’s 50 Best Bars list over several years. Its rankings include:

• #15 in 2023
• #29 in 2024
• #7 in 2025
• #8 in 2026

In 2025, it was the highest-ranked Canadian bar on the North American list.

The establishment has also appeared on The World’s 50 Best Bars list. It was ranked #70 in 2024 and rose to #55 in 2025, making it the only Canadian bar to feature on the global list that year.