Civil Works Unveils New Story-Driven Cocktail Menu Sewn Into Toronto’s History

New “On Cutting Rug” menu celebrates Toronto’s historic Garment District through narrative-driven cocktails

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Civil Works, the award-winning cocktail bar located on the mezzanine level of Waterworks Food Hall (50 Brant Street), officially unveils its new menu, On Cutting Rug. This texture-forward, story-driven menu brings the history of Toronto’s Garment District to life, one cocktail at a time.

Ranked #55 on Best Bars in North America and winner of the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award last year, Civil Works is celebrated for immersive hospitality, hand-crafted cocktails, and meticulous menus designed to tell a story. On Cutting Rug translates nearly 200 years of Toronto history into a fabric swatch-inspired menu, brought to life by Affordable Textiles, blending texture, flavour, and storytelling to create a truly unique sensory experience.

The menu begins in 1787 with The Purchase of Toronto, an effervescent cocktail featuring Lot 40 Rye, Granny Smith Apple, Evergreen, and Maple CO₂, and ends in 1948 with Rags to Riches, a dark, velvety and luxurious blend of Johnnie Walker Black, Havana Club 7, Cacao Butter, Raspberry, Vermouth and Branca Menta, honouring the era when the El Mocambo became a cultural landmark in the city.

Other standout cocktails include:

• Wedding Ward (1817): Dry Sake, Aromatized Wines, Concord Grape, Jasmine Flower & Bay Leaf CO₂ (also available as non-alcoholic).
• Woolnough (1890): Aromatized Wines, Talisker 10, Haskap Berry, Vetiver, Lemon Dust.
• Spin and Weave (1906): El Gobernador Pisco, Siete Misterios, Mezcal, Gentian, Chica Morada, Lime, Absinthe.
• Equilibrium (1932): Bombay Sapphire Gin, Mazanilla, Calvados, Apples, Forest Cordial, Balsam Fir.
• Needle/Thread (1934): Beefeater Gin, Dry Vermouth, Pineapple, Smoked Sweet Onion, Black Pepper Oil

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to collaborate with a 35-year-old Toronto business like Affordable Textiles to bring this menu to life,” said Nick Kennedy, Senior Executive Barback at Team Civil (Civil Works). “Our initial award-winning cocktail menu was special, but these are truly some of the best and most unique drinks we’ve ever put on a menu. The historic, industrial character of the Waterworks building mixed with the buzz of the Food Hall makes it the perfect place for this menu, one that connects guests to the stories and people who shaped the neighbourhood they’re eating and drinking in today.”

Located on the mezzanine level of the historic Waterworks building, Civil Works combines industrial charm with Art Deco energy, offering aerial views of the lively food hall below and suspended above, locally made art installations. Authentic vintage furniture, rich materials and modern details create a setting as thoughtful and immersive as the menu itself.

“Civil Works has always pushed the boundaries of what a cocktail experience can be, making it a natural fit within the Food Hall,” Stratton Townley, Vice President, Investments & Corporate Strategy at Woodcliffe Landmark Properties. “With On Cutting Rug, guests can enjoy expertly crafted drinks while immersing themselves in the rich history of this iconic neighbourhood. This intentional and curated approach is exactly the kind of energy we aim to foster throughout the Food Hall, and Civil Works is a key part of that experience.”

Civil Works continues to offer a full beverage program including classic and contemporary cocktails, martinis, alcohol-free creations and a curated selection of wines and beers, as well as a special spirits-and-water pairing menu inspired by regions around the world.

On Cutting Rug is now available at Civil Works.

Please visit www.waterworksfoodhall.com for more information.

About Team Civil:

From Canadian restaurant and bar industry veterans Nick Kennedy and David Hyunh, Team Civil owns and operates establishments and companies across Toronto, including award-winning bar Civil Liberties, Miracle Bar Toronto, Vit Beo, Third Place, Electric Bill Bar and Civil Pours and manages the new Civil Works cocktail bar at Waterworks Food Hall. Team Civil is dedicated to providing exceptional food, drinks and service, elevating and supporting fellow bartenders, chefs and food service experts, as well as enhancing the industry through new technology and service techniques.

About Waterworks Food Hall:

Located in a meticulously restored and repurposed heritage building, the Waterworks Food Hall is home to twenty cuisines, three bars, 12,000 sf of event spaces and two outdoor patios. The former City of Toronto machine shop was redeveloped by Woodcliffe Landmark Properties and MOD Developments and meticulously restored by a deep bench of architectural and design talent, including Diamond Schmitt, ERA Architects, Steven Fong Architect, DesignAgency, Cecconi Simone and Futurestudio. Opened in July 2024, Waterworks fulfills a mission to establish a new landmark culinary destination, drawing a global and domestic audience while serving as an essential gathering space for the neighbourhood, residents, businesses and beyond. www.waterworksfoodhall.com

About Woodcliffe Landmark Properties:

Woodcliffe Landmark Properties is a boutique residential and commercial real estate development company passionate about preserving architectural heritage and creating intelligent, innovative, and considered designs. They have a legacy of award-winning notable landmarks in Toronto, such as the North Toronto Station, King James Place, The Shops of Summerhill, and The Gooderham Flatiron Building. Woodcliffe's revitalized developments serve as the backdrop for community interactions and city-defining projects, while remaining dedicated to city-building through design-led initiatives. https://www.woodcliffe.ca/