The Annex

The Annex is the leafy, bookish neighbourhood around Bloor and Bathurst, next to U of T. Expect indie bookstores, cheap-and-cheerful student eats, Hot Docs cinema, live music at the Tranzac, and Victorian side streets. A friend sends you here for an easygoing, cultured wander, not luxury or blockbuster sights.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Is the Annex good for cheap eats?

Yes, being next to U of T means the Bloor strip is full of affordable, casual restaurants aimed at students, everything from Korean to pho to cheap pints. It's a solid area if you want a good-value meal without fuss.

How do I get to the Annex?

Take Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) to Bathurst or Spadina station, both of which drop you right on the main strip. Dupont station on Line 1 serves the northern edge. It's one of the better-connected neighbourhoods in the city.

Are the museums near the Annex?

Yes, the Royal Ontario Museum and the Gardiner Museum are just east along Bloor near Yorkville, an easy walk from the Annex. Many people pair a museum visit with a wander and a meal in the Annex to round out the day.

What's the nightlife like in the Annex?

Casual and neighbourly rather than flashy, think pubs like the Madison Ave. Pub, dive-ish bars, and live music at the Tranzac. It skews a bit student and local. For a bigger night out you'd head to Queen West or Ossington, but it's fun for a low-key evening.

Is the Annex a good area to stay in?

It can be, it's central, on two subway lines, safe, and full of casual food, with the museums and downtown close by. It's more residential and low-key than Yorkville next door, which some travellers prefer. Expect houses and small hotels rather than big towers.

Where is the Annex in Toronto?

It's the neighbourhood roughly between Bloor Street and Dupont, and from Avenue Road west to Bathurst, just northwest of the University of Toronto. The commercial heart is Bloor Street West around Bathurst. It's very central and easy to reach.

What is there to do in the Annex?

Browse indie and used bookstores, catch a film at Hot Docs cinema, see live music at the Tranzac, grab cheap eats on Bloor, and wander the Victorian side streets. The ROM and Gardiner Museum are a short walk east on Bloor, too.

Is the Annex worth visiting?

For a relaxed, cultured, walkable afternoon, yes, especially if you like bookstores, indie cinema, and side-street architecture. It's not a headline attraction, but it's a genuinely pleasant central neighbourhood and pairs well with the nearby museums.

Nearby in Ask Toronto

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• Proof Vodka BarBar1.04 km · 13 min walk
• QuetzalRestaurant1.09 km · 14 min walk
• Bar RavalBar1.14 km · 14 min walk