The Lobby Bar Elora

Food: 2 Stars Service: 4 Stars Ambience: 5 Stars Sanitary: 3 Stars Overall: 3.5 Stars Note: Complimentary Invite The Lobby Bar is a gem of a spot, perfect for a night out with friends, though it does come with a few shortcomings. First impressions matter, and the Lobby Bar certainly nails it with its décor, music and ambiance. The space may be small, but it’s beautifully designed, creating an intimate and inviting atmosphere. The theme is thoughtfully executed, and the vibe strikes the perfect balance between lively and laid-back. It’s clear a lot of care went into crafting a unique experience for guests. The service, too, was exceptional. Staff were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, enhancing the overall experience. Now, let’s talk about the drinks. The Lobby Bar’s beverage program is undeniably its strongest suit. The presentation of the drinks is nothing short of artful, and the flavours are equally impressive. As someone who doesn’t drink alcohol, I was delighted by their creative non-alcoholic accommodations. The holiday-themed virgin Tom Ford Lost Cherry Drink was a standout for me—beautifully presented and bursting with flavour. The Cranberry Gin Fizz (sans gin and egg whites) was another winner, offering a perfectly sour and refreshing profile. It’s clear the bar takes pride in catering to all preferences, which I really appreciated. Unfortunately, the food didn’t quite live up to the same standard. While there were some highlights, there were also notable misses. For appetizers, we tried the Black Tiger Shrimp Bowl and the Saikoro Wagyu Tenderloin. The shrimp bowl was a creative twist on a Hawaiian poke, and the flavouring was on point. However, the Saikoro Wagyu Tenderloin fell short. Though flavourful, it arrived lukewarm, and the beef was overcooked, lacking the melt-in-your-mouth quality one expects from wagyu. Having had wagyu tenderloin in the past, I felt this dish didn’t quite do it justice. For mains, we both opted for the Wagyu Tenderloin Teppanyaki. While the flavour profile was pleasant and the accompanying salad fresh, the beef was again overcooked, which was disappointing. Given the premium nature of wagyu, precise cooking is crucial, and unfortunately, this was a recurring issue during our meal. Dessert continued the theme of inconsistency. We tried the Japanese Cheesecake and the mochi ice cream. The cheesecake, while tasty, was more akin to a New York-style cheesecake than the light and fluffy texture of authentic Japanese cheesecake. As for the mochi ice cream, the texture was off and didn’t quite replicate the chewy, delicate quality of traditional mochi. While dessert wasn’t bad by any means, it didn’t leave a lasting impression either. Overall, the Lobby Bar excels as a bar but falls short as a dining destination. The drinks and atmosphere are the stars of the show, making it a fantastic place to unwind with friends. While the food has potential, there’s room for improvement, particularly in execution and attention to detail. With a bit more refinement in the kitchen, this could easily become a 5-star experience. For now, I’d recommend the Lobby Bar as a go-to spot for drinks and good vibes, with the understanding that the food might not fully deliver on expectations. That said, it’s still well worth a visit, especially if you’re looking for a unique and stylish setting to enjoy a night out. xx kellychan360

5 Stars Absolutely loved The Elora LO by Bar! It has that perfect speakeasy vibe—cozy, stylish, and a little hidden gem feel. The food was delicious and beautifully presented, and the drinks? Total showstoppers. Fancy, flavorful, and fun. Can’t wait to go back!

I enjoyed a fun date night at The Lobby Bar. The atmosphere was fun and I loved the vibe! The food was amazing! The menu may be “limited” to some, but to me that shows the food quality is their priority! Very unlikely to be serving frozen foods. I honestly cannot complain about anything other than the lack of AC but that won’t stop me from returning!

I had a wonderful experience! The atmosphere is truly unique and inviting. The food is creative and delicious, and the cocktails are absolutely top-notch — the bee's knees!

We are teetotalers and vegans. We were invited for dinner and host chose this bar. We had reservations but were early but they couldn’t accommodate us. When we were seated realized that this place does have limited seatings. If i want to go have some good food this is not the first place or even n’th place on my list. The food is less than OK, and quantity is enough for a young kid. Vegan Edamame as an appetizer. Sprinkled with Japanese spice togarashi. Server warned us it was spicy, but it wasn’t to us. Also served almost cold, expected it to be lukewarm warm or warm. Vegan warm shiitake mushrooms Wakame - a better dish. The dish was warm and mushrooms good. Mildly spiced. We were 5 of sharing two appetizers and it wasn’t enough. Vegan Udon Noodle had Shiitake mushroom, Edamame, Broccoli, Bok choy, red chillies, green onions, Soft tofu, Sesame, and was topped with sweet chili soy sauce. The sauce tasted factory made and not house made. Fantastic ingredients but sauce made the dish taste not good as it should have been. The non-alcoholic Grapefruit Basil Paloma was OK. Didn’t taste Basil flavour. Go for vibe or for drinks, food go elsewhere. If you want to show a reel on Insta or TT, it is good.

This an amazing, quirky, little place. The hostess was lovely and very knowledgeable about the food. Cocktails were delicious. The food is Tapas style, great for sharing. The food tasted amazing.

Visiting Elora from Florida and we’ve discovered a winter wonderland. The Lobby Bar is a big part of this story. Outside of the holiday season I’m sure the LB is beautiful but here now around the Christmas holiday the décor is that much more special. Delicious food and drinks and the staff is cheerful and pleasant. Highly recommend a pop in for a drink (or few) and the food is savory and satisfying. Yet to try the deserts but substituted that with an espresso martini and an Irish coffee. Definitely add Lobby Bar to your list while visiting Elora!! Happy Holidays!!