Cyberpunk-themed bar replaces Clinton’s Tavern in Toronto

ZUI Beer Bar and Restaurant is a cyberpunk-themed bar that serves Asian-inspired snacks and picture perfect cocktails.

Located in Koreatown where Clinton’s Tavern used to be only a few blocks away from Christie Station, ZUI Beer Bar is the second bar to bear the name. The first is located in Koreatown North and has been open since 2023.

James Chang, manager of the original ZUI, explains that the bar’s name has multiple meanings in Chinese: it can be used as a superlative, signifying that something is the “best”, the “biggest” or the “most”, but it can also be used to refer to drunkenness or intoxication.

Both meanings are quite apt, especially when one considers the bar’s aesthetic. Though K-Town is home to many appealing nightspots, ZUI takes that appeal up to eleven.

Each of the restaurant’s three dining areas is filled with neon lights, sleek surfaces, and futuristic furniture.

Tables come equipped with colour-changing lamps, which double as menus. These lamps can be used to indicate whether or not you’re interested in meeting new people.

A purple light means that you’re open to other diners joining your party, while a yellow light means that you’d like others to respect your privacy.

ZUI’s menu consists primarily of affordably priced appetizers, such as wings and skewers. Other dishes, such as noodles, dumplings and pizza, are slightly more expensive, but also more substantial.

The ZUI Elixir ($68/1.5L) is one of several Joyful Pitchers, shareable cocktails served in colourful, lava lamp-shaped dispensers.

This particular concoction is made with vodka, Sprite and pear sparkling wine, with an array of fresh fruits providing a bit of contrast to the sharp, acidic flavours.

Dizzy Tea ($68) mixes elements from modern bar culture with traditional Chinese tea culture.

Served in porcelain cups, complete with lids, each of these twenty four shots contains a potent mixture of green tea and jasmine-infused gin.

James tells us that this drink is one of the bar’s best sellers, as well as his personal favourite.

My favourite drink of the night was the Luminous Pillar ($58), a set of sixteen shots displayed on a glowing neon tower.

Each order comes with two flavours of your choice. Though it was difficult for us to decide which flavours we wanted to try, we eventually settled on rose and blue orange.

Not only did the citrus and floral flavours compliment one another, the bright blue and deep red colours made the drinks pop against the bar’s dark furniture.

If you’re a fan of fruity drinks, consider ordering ZUI’s Pikachu cocktail ($18.99).

This drink consists of pineapple juice, yogurt, Sprite and rum and comes in an adorable plastic cup, shaped like the mascot of the Pokemon franchise.

You can also order the drink in a set of two, called the Pikachu Couple ($38). This pair of cocktails comes on a Pokeball-themed tray covered with dry ice.

Skewers are available in a wide variety of flavours. Chicken ($4.69), beef ($4.69) and rice cakes ($2.69) are just some of the options you can choose from.

Additionally, each type of skewer can be seasoned to your liking. If you’ve got a low spice tolerance, you can request the mild seasoning.

However, if you like your skewers on the spicier side, I’d recommend trying something a bit more intense.

Teppanyaki squid ($12.99) is a grilled seafood dish, garnished with red and green peppers. Though the chewy texture of the meat might be a little off-putting to some, the flavourful seasoning more than makes up for it.

Salt n’ Pepper Corn ($12.99) is exactly what it sounds like: a dish of salted corn, served with mixed vegetables.

The Spicy Noodle Sausage Omelette ($13.99) was a surprising dish that combines unusual ingredients with a traditional breakfast food.

Underneath the fluffy folds of the egg batter, you’ll find springy noodles, spicy sausage and copious amounts of seasoning.

The dish is topped with sesame seeds and served with a side of pickles.

ZUI Beer Bar and Restaurant is located at 693 Bloor Street West.