Shrinking Violet is an intimate cocktail and natural wine bar that blends Victorian-era elegance with the whimsy, playful charm of Alice in Wonderland. 

Located in Bloorcourt, this women-owned and operated establishment is home to bubbly signature cocktails, craft beer, fun finger fare, locally sourced snacks, and even better company. 

Hospitality veteran and owner Angela Davis had long dreamed of opening her own bar. After nearly a year of searching for the perfect location, Davis received news that can only be described as serendipitous.

The bar she was currently managing, Praise Bottle Shop, was looking for someone to take over.

When it came to re-opening the space as Shrinking Violet, Davis's goal was always to be the feel-good neighborhood hangout. 

"My background is wine, but I was very specific that I didn't want to open a wine bar. I just want to be a neighborhood bar with a great wine list." 

True to her vision, the wine list features unique and lesser-known grapes and regions.

Of those is a non-alcoholic Blanc de Blancs from Oddbird ($10). Sparkling and crisp, it tasted similar to a Chardonnay. 

For cocktails, the menu tries to stick exclusively to the classics with everything from a Manhattan to an Aperol Spritz. 

The Violet 75 ($16) is a rendition of a French 75 with gin, lemon, prosecco, and violette syrup. Simple, yet elegant it's the perfect beverage for a date or girls night out. 

The Negroni Flight ($19) is a fun option to mix, match, and try new flavour combinations. I sampled the Rosita, Hello Coffee, and White. The Rosita offers a tequila twist and combines both sweet and dry vermouth for a bittersweet finish.

Hello Coffee utilizes fresh beans from the neighbouring coffee shop to create a subtle coffee-infused Campari. The White Negroni features more floral notes with gin, lilet, and white vermouth. 

When it comes to bar snacks, there's a small offering of nibbles including nuts, crunchy potato chips, marinated olives, pickles, cheese, and roasted red pepper muhammara. Everything is sourced from local suppliers. 

The Marinated Olives ($7) come from specialty grocer Neon Commissary. The medley of greek-style olives are marinated with citrus, garlic, coriander, and chili. Perfectly salty, these could easily be a snacking staple for me. 

Another popular option is the Cheese Board which ranges from $14 to $28 depending on the number of cheeses you select.

The board comes with sticky sweet pitted dates and a delightful hot honey from Rosewood Wines. The cheese I sampled was an aged goat cheese from Good Cheese. It had a firm, cheddar-like texture with a mild, slightly salty taste. Paired with crostini crackers and the hot honey, it made for a delicious bite. 

For something more substantial, the bar is also equipped with a powerful countertop oven and plenty of pizza from Pizzeria Libretto. 

Although small, the space seats forty, thanks to the addition of a cozy seating nook downstairs. Outfitted with mismatched seats and a collection of books, it makes for a great communal area. 

Upstairs reminded me of a greenhouse garden with hanging plants and fairy lights. Davis took fun redecorating the space to match her personal style; a playful mix of feminine and classic old-fashioned decor.

The name, which plays a nod to an age-old expression for a shy or modest woman, reflects the bar's charming, unpretentious personality.

The space is also home to a number of special community events including burlesque and cabaret nights. 

"It's great because we are women-owned and women-operated. I wanted this to be a safe space for women to work in and to come and patronize, as well as the queer community," Davis shared, alongside Bar Manager Sky.

The two are also big fans of dogs, so be sure to bring your furry companion for a sweet potato treat or puppacino. 

Shrinking Violet is located at 828 Bloor Street West.