Stepping into Leuty’s on Queen West feels like finding a little slice of The Beach in the middle of the city. Rich wood, deep blues and floral touches give the space a laid-back, coastal feel, while local artwork and locally made furniture bring the neighbourhood inside. Even the cocktail menu gets in on it, with cheeky names that nod to local history. It’s all part of owner Gabby Martindale’s vision.
“We looked at a couple other locations, and then we walked into this space and this area. And I was like, oh, this is a bit of me. Very community-oriented, a little bit slower. Beautiful historic building, two levels. It checked a lot of boxes for me,” she says. “We called it Leuty’s was because it is such a tight knit community, and everybody knows the Leuty lifeguard stand down by the beach.”
Leaning into the history was also important for Martindale.
“The exterior signage is original to the building. We filled in the lettering for the Home Bank of Canada sign out there. We loved all the old things and touches of years and years of different restaurants before us,” she says. “We did a lot of research on the building, and there’s so much history here. There was actually a bank robbery in 1933, so we looked into that, and it inspired some of our cocktail names.”
The cocktail menu mixes riffs on classics with drinks Martindale likes to make at home. Expect playful takes on margaritas, French 75s and martinis, alongside staples like an Old Fashioned, Negroni and Aperol Spritz.
The food menu is designed to have a little something for everyone. Handhelds and steaks have already emerged as guest favourites, alongside dishes like mushroom cavatelli, seared tuna and chicken and pickles. The idea is to make Leuty’s a neighbourhood gathering place, serving familiar favourites done well in a room where everyone feels like family.
“We’re aiming for that extra level of hospitality where we know your name and what you drink,” Martindale says. “My hope is that it feels warm, familiar, and welcoming — like your favourite neighbourhood spot you can’t wait to return to.”
Leuty’s is located at 1963 Queen Street East.