Toronto's flagship waterfront brewery bar — Amsterdam Brewhouse sits directly on Queens Quay with a massive outdoor patio facing Lake Ontario and the CN Tower. Twenty-plus Amsterdam beers on tap, a full food menu, and one of the best patios in the city make this a non-negotiable summer stop.
Neighbourhood: Queens Quay / Waterfront · Address: 245 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON · Hours: Mon–Thu 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Fri–Sat 11:00 AM – 1:00 AM | Sun 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM · Phone: (647) 257-0086
Why Visit
Amsterdam Brewhouse gives you the rare chance to sip fresh local beer literally metres from Lake Ontario, with all the city’s skyline drama on show. It’s the go-to for big-friendly tables, people-watching, and a front-row waterfront seat.
What Makes It Unique
Unlike most Toronto breweries tucked into industrial side streets, this spot guarantees actual lake views and sprawling outdoor space—plus a tap list that's only Amsterdam brews, many made on-site. The sheer size of the lakeside patio and its proximity to the waterfront trail put it in a different league from downtown bars.
Amsterdam Brewhouse on the Queens Quay waterfront is the best waterfront patio bar in Toronto — a large-format brewpub with an expansive deck directly on Lake Ontario that combines house-brewed craft beer, solid pub food, and views of the lake and Toronto Island that are simply unavailable at any other licensed venue in the city. On a summer afternoon with the lake blue and the Island ferry traffic crossing in the background, there are few better places to drink a cold beer in Canada.
Amsterdam Brewing Company has been making beer in Toronto since 1986, making it one of the city's oldest craft breweries. The Queens Quay location showcases the full Amsterdam catalogue alongside guest taps and seasonal releases, in a format that ranges from the flagship Boneshaker IPA through lighter lagers and wheat beers appropriate for the waterfront heat to experimental seasonal releases that appear in smaller batches. The brewpub format means the beer is fresh, and the staff understand what they're pouring.
The food menu is pub-scale rather than fine dining — elevated bar food that matches the setting without pretending to be something it's not. Burgers, flatbreads, fish and chips, and sharing plates are executed to the standard that a high-traffic tourist-adjacent waterfront venue requires, which means reliable and good rather than outstanding. The kitchen handles the volume well, which matters when the patio fills to capacity on summer weekends.
The patio itself is the star. Multiple tiers of outdoor seating provide lake views from virtually every table, and the exposure to the lake breeze makes it significantly cooler than street-level patios on hot summer days. The proximity to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, Harbourfront Centre, and the Toronto Music Garden means Amsterdam Brewhouse sits at the centre of the lakefront's summer activity zone — a natural destination before a ferry to the island, after a concert at Harbourfront, or simply as the destination itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Amsterdam Brewhouse have a patio?
Yes — Amsterdam Brewhouse has one of Toronto's largest and best waterfront patios, directly on Queens Quay with views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto Island. The patio operates spring through fall and is the main draw. Weekend afternoons in summer fill quickly.
What beer is Amsterdam Brewhouse known for?
Amsterdam's flagship Boneshaker IPA is the most recognizable brew, but the full catalogue spans lagers, wheat beers, seasonals, and experimental releases. The brewpub format means taps rotate frequently and the beer is always fresh.
How do I get to Amsterdam Brewhouse?
Amsterdam Brewhouse is at 245 Queens Quay West on the lakefront. Take the 509 Harbourfront streetcar from Union Station and walk west along Queens Quay, or walk south from Union Station along the waterfront trail — about 15 minutes on foot.
Is Amsterdam Brewhouse good for groups?
Yes — the large indoor and outdoor space accommodates groups well. Reservations for the patio are highly recommended for weekend afternoons and evenings in summer, as the venue fills quickly and the best lake-view tables go first.