The Roost on Corydon

While here, nestle in for a late night at The Roost, a small space cocktail bar that emulates a tree house. Its young team cobbles together some great mixes and quality tapas plates.

Chef Mandel Hitzer's deer + almond (85 Princess St.) has made the list several times since the inception of Canada's 100 Best in 2015, and has jumped up 20 spots from #59 last year to land at 39th. During the Canada's 100 voting period –– which is done by 150 food writers, chefs, restauranteurs and industry veterans across the country (I usually vote, but have not for the past few years due to lack of in-Canada travel) –– the Exchange District restaurant was run by both Hitzer and his cousin, chef Kris Kurus, who also won the Winnipeg leg of the Canadian Culinary Championships and had a great showing at the national competition. Along with frequently appearing on the list, chef Hitzer also does an incredible job putting the city on the international culinary map with RAW:almond.

Perched like a treehouse in the attic of a century-old home in Little Italy, The Roost is an adorable little hideaway where Winnipeg’s cocktail renaissance first hatched in 2015, with whimsical libations dusted in glitter and topped with cotton-candy clouds. Back then, the owners were just kids who had dropped out of university to make boozy treats. Today, the Oddlot Collective runs three of the city’s hottest rooms, including The Oxbow Natural Wine Bar & Restaurant and Parcel Pizza.

We have more than 20 breweries, including hip spots like Kilter Brewing Co., Nonsuch Brewing, and Little Brown Jug, while cocktail bars include Rose Bar, Darling Bar, and Solera. Our summer scene is awash with patios everywhere you look, while even winter doesn’t stop us with celebrity chef Mandel Hitzer’s raw:Almond bringing in some of the world’s best chefs (and plenty of local talent) to cook on a beautifully designed temporary restaurant on the frozen Assiniboine River.

There’s something endearingly DIY about Corydon Avenue’s quaint, whimsical The Roost: it’s the kind of spot where you just might find your drink dusted with edible glitter. In an intimate, well-styled second floor space, sample from the seasonally revolving menu of share plates and elaborate drinks. Cocktails are always playful, with clever ingredient combinations; think mezcal and dark chocolate bitters, or aquavit infused with lime leaf.

Great cocktail spaces aren’t just limited to downtown, with specialty drink enthusiasts flocking to The Roost, nestled in the trendy Corydon neighbourhood. Just a few blocks away, Sous Sol has established itself as an award-winning kitchen with top-notch food and drinks. Another new favourite is Langside Grocery, where the craft cocktails are a big part of what has all the locals talking about this up-and-coming destination locale.

Winnipeg is known for its music scene, and you won't have any difficulty finding a show to check out on nearly any day of the week. In addition to hosting the occasional sing-a-long, The Park Theatre on south Osborne is a great spot for listening to up-and-coming acts from Winnipeg and beyond. In Osborne Village, the basement of the Toad in the Hole (another great pub), The Cavern, churns out awesome local acts of all styles.

The Roost took the cake during this year’s Sugar Rush event hosted by Winnipeg VegFest. The Corydon Avenue restaurant and cocktail bar won the judge’s choice award during the weeklong celebration of vegan desserts for its Blizzard-style ice cream cake. The vegan and gluten-free slice features vanilla soft serve, house-made butterfinger chunks, a fudge and brownie cookie crumble crust topped with berry coulis.

One of our favourite Winnipeg cocktail bars due to its innovative flavours, The Roost on Corydon is home to an ever-changing menu of delightful libations. Although small, it packs a real punch, with the patio coming alive in the summer months. If you were walking down Corydon Avenue, you might even miss it… make sure to look up, as the bar is on the second floor!

The Roost has a wide selection of craft cocktails, including both classic and modern drinks. First up, the Bathtub Gin cocktail is a combination of the classic elegance of gin with a burst of refreshing flavors. This innovative mix features gin, a berry shrub, lavender bitters, a splash of lime, and the nostalgia-inducing Clearly Canadian soda.

The Roost on Corydon isn’t a gay bar, but it is a must-visit Winnipeg cocktail bar, offering a unique and constantly evolving menu of exquisite drinks. Located on the second floor, it can be easily missed if you’re not paying attention, but it’s intimate size and charming patio make it a hidden gem.

Although the rooftop patio of The Roost on Corydon is open, there is some shade for you to enjoy. Patio and indoor seating are always available on a first-come, first-served basis. So, keep a note of it if you are to visit this patio next.

With rooftop views of Corydon from the heart of Corydon Village, The Roost features exceptional cocktails & food from some of the top bartenders and chef’s in the Winnipeg food and beverage industry!

Good to arrive early if you want to guarantee a spot - their wait list is regularly 1.5+ hours and they don't do reservations.