There are not enough words capable of describing the magic and enchantment of The Relic Lobby Bar. If you're looking for a space that takes you back in time, epitomizes class, intimacy, and eclecticism, while simultaneously making you feel comfortable and at ease than look no further folks. While I've been several times over the last few years, I was recently at Relic with a large group to celebrate my 30th birthday. Ulises and Paris were exceptional! Despite over half my group working as bartenders for over a decade, our expertise absolutely paled in comparison to the skills, craftsmanship, and ingenuity in mixology these two exhibited with each signature cocktail creation. We provided them direction in terms of spirit type we preferred and flavour pallets we enjoyed, and they returned with the most delicious and extraordinary of inventions. And the AMBIENCE! Honestly, I'm still in shock with how perfect it all was. When one considers the prices you pay for drinks in London and the Greater Toronto Area that are HALF as GOOD, the quality of their beverages on offer seem like a steal. So, to all passing through Stratford - whether to visit the Festival or road-tripping small town Southern Ontario - DO NOT MISS your opportunity to experience this total gem, housing the most incredible drinks and served by the most attentive and hospitable of staff. Thank you Relic!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Hilding Gnanapragasam
Simply the best cocktail bar in Ontario. Period.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Kai Groen
The Lobby Bar was full so we were escorted to the downstairs Speak-easy style lounge. Dimly lit and smelling of sandalwood the atmosphere is perfect for intimate conversations or quiet contemplation. I had the best Old Fashioned of my life, and an excellent whiskey sour. I highly recommend this unique gem. Congratulations on such a superb venue to the owners.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Ron Davis
Superb drinks. Great service. Cool vibe. Excellent hosts (Uly). Great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michelle Muller
Amazing Cuban bar with the best cocktails you will ever have??
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Diana S
Every charming town needs a welcoming, inclusive spot, with friendly staff. The Relic was a comforting experience for me.Both the mixologists were interesting. Their skills and old-fashioned dressing didn't blur their attentive, and smooth manners.I started with an Oaxaca-named cocktail that helped me shed some stress away.Luckily for me, on that hazy day, the daily special consisted of a Mezcal Margarita. After sipping the Margarita, and a few more, I was favored with some Shakespearean inspiration to complain about bad treatment, racism, and random political problems.I heard the crew saying that their spot was a safe space for diversity. I agree.
Atmosphere: 5
Kate Getliffe
What a perfect atmosphere to enjoy a delicious elevated cocktail! Was shown this spot by a local & is a new favorite. The dirty martini was exceptional.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexey Petrov
A Gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
P Williams
Had a couple of drinks here. A very nice atmosphere and the drinks were excellent!
Leslie C.
The best drinks in town!!! Amazing cocktails and variety of spirits. High quality and creative beverages. Excellent service. Fun decor and seating areas. They have a limited food/snack menu but what they do have is delicious. You can also order food from the taco place next door and it can be delivered to your table.The feta lemon dip with crostini was lovely. The snack tray of cheeses , olives and nuts was delicious. The kettle chips were flavorful too.Me and my friends loved our cocktails. The decor is fun and old timey. Definitely a fun ambiance and experience.
We had a drink at The Relic Lobby Bar between seeing a play and dinner. Such a fun place. The atmosphere was fun with their eclectic furnishings. The drinks were fun and the staff was friendly. We will definitely go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Olivia Baik
My favorite bar in Stratford! Service is always excellent, the drink menu is always changing so you get a new experience every time you visit. The atmosphere is always welcoming and makes you feel like you went back in time somewhere far far away :) I highly recommend you stop by and try this place out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Richard LeBlanc
It is unfair what The Relic Lobby Bar is doing to the competition. It sets the standard for what a true cocktail bar promises to achieve where others fall short. Craftsmanship and artistry. Check and check. Service. Checks for both attentiveness and awareness. Atmosphere. Check that in a bold, bloody, permanent marker.I’ve been 3X and every time is a treat. Are the prices on the higher end? Yes. Are they worth the price? Absolutely. If you want cheap, run-of-the-mill cocktails available anywhere or you can make at home don’t go. At The Relic every drink is a creation, well thought, equally well executed, to be savoured.I ordered an atypical offering last night - the Cuban Compay. I like rum, don’t love it like, say, tequila. I skipped the enticing tequila / mezcal Stolen Mule and Watermelon Man (cleverly named after a rare remarkable 70s movie, I think) because I wanted to stretch my palate.Cava bath? I’m intrigued. Islay cigar tincture? Do tell. Coffee bitters? Whut!? I wasn’t disappointed. In fact I was blown away. From that massive carved ice cube with a wedge of lime embedded to the complicated nose and diverse, changing taste as time passed the compay was as enjoyable as it was a surprise. Exuding stellar quality at $21 the booziness alone was great value. It’s worth more.If you want to experience something truly special - what’s in the glass, great staff, and a rare, unparalleled vibe augmented with ridiculously good music then once in a while, at the very least, treat yourself. Get your caboose to The Relic.Like my agency represents, this place is truly Uncommon | Refined | Expressive.Thank you Uly and Crew once again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stephen Jones
Cuban influenced decor cocktail bar with original cocktails. Cool, relaxed vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Lynette Sui
We had a great experience at The Relic Lobby Bar. The drinks were well designed and they look so pretty. Our bartender was very friendly and knowledgeable.
There are not enough words capable of describing the magic and enchantment of The Relic Lobby Bar. If you're looking for a space that takes you back in time, epitomizes class, intimacy, and eclecticism, while simultaneously making you feel comfortable and at ease than look no further folks. While I've been several times over the last few years, I was recently at Relic with a large group to celebrate my 30th birthday. Ulises and Paris were exceptional! Despite over half my group working as bartenders for over a decade, our expertise absolutely paled in comparison to the skills, craftsmanship, and ingenuity in mixology these two exhibited with each signature cocktail creation. We provided them direction in terms of spirit type we preferred and flavour pallets we enjoyed, and they returned with the most delicious and extraordinary of inventions. And the AMBIENCE! Honestly, I'm still in shock with how perfect it all was. When one considers the prices you pay for drinks in London and the Greater Toronto Area that are HALF as GOOD, the quality of their beverages on offer seem like a steal. So, to all passing through Stratford - whether to visit the Festival or road-tripping small town Southern Ontario - DO NOT MISS your opportunity to experience this total gem, housing the most incredible drinks and served by the most attentive and hospitable of staff. Thank you Relic!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Simply the best cocktail bar in Ontario. Period.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
The Lobby Bar was full so we were escorted to the downstairs Speak-easy style lounge. Dimly lit and smelling of sandalwood the atmosphere is perfect for intimate conversations or quiet contemplation. I had the best Old Fashioned of my life, and an excellent whiskey sour. I highly recommend this unique gem. Congratulations on such a superb venue to the owners.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Superb drinks. Great service. Cool vibe. Excellent hosts (Uly). Great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing Cuban bar with the best cocktails you will ever have??
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Every charming town needs a welcoming, inclusive spot, with friendly staff. The Relic was a comforting experience for me.Both the mixologists were interesting. Their skills and old-fashioned dressing didn't blur their attentive, and smooth manners.I started with an Oaxaca-named cocktail that helped me shed some stress away.Luckily for me, on that hazy day, the daily special consisted of a Mezcal Margarita. After sipping the Margarita, and a few more, I was favored with some Shakespearean inspiration to complain about bad treatment, racism, and random political problems.I heard the crew saying that their spot was a safe space for diversity. I agree.
Atmosphere: 5
What a perfect atmosphere to enjoy a delicious elevated cocktail! Was shown this spot by a local & is a new favorite. The dirty martini was exceptional.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A Gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Had a couple of drinks here. A very nice atmosphere and the drinks were excellent!
The best drinks in town!!! Amazing cocktails and variety of spirits. High quality and creative beverages. Excellent service. Fun decor and seating areas. They have a limited food/snack menu but what they do have is delicious. You can also order food from the taco place next door and it can be delivered to your table.The feta lemon dip with crostini was lovely. The snack tray of cheeses , olives and nuts was delicious. The kettle chips were flavorful too.Me and my friends loved our cocktails. The decor is fun and old timey. Definitely a fun ambiance and experience.
Restaurantji Recommends
We had a drink at The Relic Lobby Bar between seeing a play and dinner. Such a fun place. The atmosphere was fun with their eclectic furnishings. The drinks were fun and the staff was friendly. We will definitely go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My favorite bar in Stratford! Service is always excellent, the drink menu is always changing so you get a new experience every time you visit. The atmosphere is always welcoming and makes you feel like you went back in time somewhere far far away :) I highly recommend you stop by and try this place out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It is unfair what The Relic Lobby Bar is doing to the competition. It sets the standard for what a true cocktail bar promises to achieve where others fall short. Craftsmanship and artistry. Check and check. Service. Checks for both attentiveness and awareness. Atmosphere. Check that in a bold, bloody, permanent marker.I’ve been 3X and every time is a treat. Are the prices on the higher end? Yes. Are they worth the price? Absolutely. If you want cheap, run-of-the-mill cocktails available anywhere or you can make at home don’t go. At The Relic every drink is a creation, well thought, equally well executed, to be savoured.I ordered an atypical offering last night - the Cuban Compay. I like rum, don’t love it like, say, tequila. I skipped the enticing tequila / mezcal Stolen Mule and Watermelon Man (cleverly named after a rare remarkable 70s movie, I think) because I wanted to stretch my palate.Cava bath? I’m intrigued. Islay cigar tincture? Do tell. Coffee bitters? Whut!? I wasn’t disappointed. In fact I was blown away. From that massive carved ice cube with a wedge of lime embedded to the complicated nose and diverse, changing taste as time passed the compay was as enjoyable as it was a surprise. Exuding stellar quality at $21 the booziness alone was great value. It’s worth more.If you want to experience something truly special - what’s in the glass, great staff, and a rare, unparalleled vibe augmented with ridiculously good music then once in a while, at the very least, treat yourself. Get your caboose to The Relic.Like my agency represents, this place is truly Uncommon | Refined | Expressive.Thank you Uly and Crew once again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cuban influenced decor cocktail bar with original cocktails. Cool, relaxed vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
We had a great experience at The Relic Lobby Bar. The drinks were well designed and they look so pretty. Our bartender was very friendly and knowledgeable.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5