Staff Only

4.9 (50)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Speakeasy

350 Ridout St S, London, ON N6C 3Z5

Make a reservation

Staff Only

4.9

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Speakeasy

London

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 9, 2026

7:00 PM

About this restaurant

Great for creative cocktails
Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions

WELCOME TO STAFF ONLY, A SPEAKEASY COCKTAIL BAR IN THE BACK ROOM OF J.S. RYAN & CO. SALON.

WE DO CLASSIC COCKTAILS... REALLY, REALLY WELL. NO SMOKE, NO FIRE, NO NONSENSE.

WITH AN EMPHASIS ON PREMIUM SPIRITS, JUICES AND HOUSE MADE SYRUPS, WE OFFER AN EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER.

WE ARE LOCATED IN OLD SOUTH LONDON, JUST SOUTHEAST OF WORTLEY VILLAGE, NEXT TO HITCHING POST TAVERN AND THROUGH THICK AND THIN PIZZA.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Cuisines
Speakeasy, Cocktail Bar, Wine Bar
Hours of operation
Fri, Sat 7:00 pm–1:00 am
Website
https://jsryanco.com/staff-only
Dress code
Smart Casual

Location
350 Ridout St S, London, ON N6C 3Z5
Neighborhood
London
Cross street
Ridout and Chester
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Late Night, Non-Smoking

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

OLD FASHIONEDCA$18.00
Bourbon, Demerara, Bitters, Orange, Cherry 2oz
NEGRONICA$18.00
Gin, Antica Formula, Botanic Bitters, Orange 3oz
CORPSE REVIVER #2CA$18.00
Gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, Absinthe, Lemon 2.25oz
MANHATTANCA$18.00
Rye, Antica Formula, Bitters, Cherry 3oz
CLASSIC MARTINICA$18.00
Vodka or Gin, Olive or Twist, Shaken or Stirred 2oz
BOULEVARDIERCA$18.00
Bourbon, Antica Formula, Botanic Bitters, Orange 3oz
MARTINEZCA$18.00
Gin, Antica Formula, Luxardo, Bitters, Orange 3.25oz
SAZERACCA$18.00
Rye, Brandy, Absinthe, Peychauds, Bitters, Lemon 2oz

SOURS

PISCO SOURCA$18.00
Pisco, Simple Syrup, Lime, Bitters, Egg White 2oz
WHISKEY SOURCA$18.00
Rye, Demerara, Lemon, Bitters, Egg White 2oz

Sweet and Fruity

DaiquiriCA$18.00
Rum, Lime, Simple Syrup, Sugar Rim 2oz
Singapore SlingCA$18.00
Gin, Cherry Heering, Cointreau, Drambuie, Pineapple, Lime, Bitters, Cherry 2.5oz
GimletCA$18.00
Vodka or Gin, Lime, Simple Syrup 2oz
The Locomotive (Espresso Martini)CA$18.00
Vodka, Kahlua, Creme de Cacao, Espresso 2.75oz

Tart and Bitter

Paper PlaneCA$18.00
Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, Lemon 2.25oz
MargaritaCA$18.00
Tequila, Agave, Lime, Salt or Smokey Rim 2oz
SidecarCA$18.00
Brandy, Cointreau, Lemon, Sugar Rim 2.25oz
Aperol SpritzCA$18.00
Aperol, Prosecco, Orange 2oz

Non Alcoholic

MargaritaCA$17.00
Seedlip, Agave, Lime, Salt or Smokey Rim 2oz
DaiquiriCA$17.00
Seedlip, Lime, Simple Syrup, Sugar Rim 2oz

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Staff Only.

4.9

(50)

4.3Food
5.0Service
5.0Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

50 Reviews

J
Joseph
San Francisco1 review
5.0
Dined on October 18, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great atmosphere. Exceptional drinks. Staff was very knowledgeable and kind.
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L
Linzi
Toronto1 review
5.0
Dined on October 10, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 1
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Bartender was great! Even better than last time...knowledgeable, friendly, welcoming, skilled! The 6 of us had a great time, 4 of whom had never been, all were very impressed from quality of drinks, taste, vibe! Great place!
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J
Jennifer
South Carolina1 review
5.0
Dined on October 4, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Perfect cocktail in a cool and cozy atmosphere. Definitely recommend.
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T
Terence
Toronto3 reviews
5.0
Dined on September 12, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful experience. The atmosphere is quiet and conducive to meeting people. Cocktails are excellent.
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M
Mike
Toronto6 reviews
5.0
Dined on September 12, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 1
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This place is great. I do apologize for the 1 star food review but they don’t serve food so figured the star don’t matter. Anyway. The drinks are expensive, 20 dollars including tax….but I will say…the presentation and service make it worth popping in for a few. Havel (I hope I got his name right)…(friend)…was amazing. My wife and I got to watch him make a few different drinks and share a conversation with him and the other customers. A really cool spot, I would highly recommend. Thanks for having us.
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T
Tom
Toronto2 reviews
5.0
Dined on July 17, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The owner and bartender were super cool to chat with. seeing how they make the drinks with so much pride was amazing. no cutting corners and all fresh ingredients
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H
Holly
London2 reviews
5.0
Dined on July 4, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A friend and I came here for drinks, which were excellent. (We didn't eat, but this review forum doesn't allow you to continue without rating the food, so take my 5 star food rating with that in mind.) $20 for a fancy cocktail with all the mixology flair you would expect: a twist here, a garnish there, a personally-melted ice cube designed by the bartender - you get the picture. Cool vibe and decor. Reservations at this cozy hidden spot (you need to walk around the back of the building to what, appropriately, looks like a service entrance) are necessary. Enjoy!
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A
Agnes
Toronto1 review
5.0
Dined on May 30, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Loved the place! Loved the drinks! Loved the bartender!
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S
Sarah
Toronto14 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 9, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic atmosphere, delicious cocktails, and friendly service from the bartender. Will definitely be back!
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P
Patrycja Gold
Toronto5 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 8, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Extraordinary experience from start to finish. Staff Only is one of those rare places that feels like a secret you’re lucky to be part of. The bar itself is beautifully boutique—small, cozy, elegant, and incredibly charming. The name says it all: this is not a place you stumble into by accident. You have to intentionally look for it, and once you find it, you feel like you belong. The concept is brilliant, especially the discreet back entrance near the dumpsters—it only adds to the exclusivity and sense of discovery. The drinks are premium in every sense. Thoughtfully crafted, high quality, and served by a bartender who was exceptionally knowledgeable. What stood out most was the balance: friendly, warm, and engaging, yet perfectly professional. Our small talk felt natural and tactful—like chatting with a well-acquainted friend rather than making forced bar conversation. The atmosphere was impeccable. Great music playing softly in the background, paired with an old black-and-white movie featuring Humphrey Bogart on screen—it all created a timeless, cinematic vibe. I spent a perfect evening there with my husband. Truly one of the best date nights we’ve had. Staff Only is not just a bar—it’s an experience. We will absolutely be back.
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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Cuisines
Speakeasy, Cocktail Bar, Wine Bar
Hours of operation
Fri, Sat 7:00 pm–1:00 am
Website
https://jsryanco.com/staff-only
Dress code
Smart Casual

Location
350 Ridout St S, London, ON N6C 3Z5
Neighborhood
London
Cross street
Ridout and Chester
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Late Night, Non-Smoking

FAQs

Friday and Saturday evenings are the times to go, those are the nights Staff Only is open, and guests frequently mention lively weekend visits and recommend making a reservation.

Yes, Staff Only is a lovely pick for date night, with a cozy speakeasy vibe and many guests calling it perfect for dates and anniversaries while praising the intimate atmosphere and crafted cocktails.

Staff Only is a cozy, intimate speakeasy tucked in the back of a barber salon, boutique and charming, with soft music, dim lighting and cinematic touches that make it perfect for a quietly memorable date night.

Yes, Staff Only hosts tasting nights and special wine events, with guests specifically mentioning liquor and wine tastings like a praised 'Summer Whites' wine tasting.

Yes, Staff Only is a speakeasy cocktail bar focused on classic and spirit‑forward drinks, with menus of Sours, Sweet & Fruity cocktails and a Spirit‑Forward section (Manhattan, Negroni, Old Fashioned), plus non‑alcoholic cocktail options.

Staff Only’s Old Fashioned is a clear standout, multiple guests praise it as the best in the city, and it’s listed on the SPIRIT FORWARD section of the cocktail menu.

Smart casual is the guide, polished but relaxed, so think neat, put-together clothing that fits a cozy speakeasy or date-night outing.

How FAQ content is generated

Make a reservation

Staff Only

4.9

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Speakeasy

London

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 9, 2026

7:00 PM

Staff Only

Make a reservation

Staff Only

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

SPIRIT FORWARD

OLD FASHIONEDCA$18.00

NEGRONICA$18.00

CORPSE REVIVER #2CA$18.00

MANHATTANCA$18.00

CLASSIC MARTINICA$18.00

BOULEVARDIERCA$18.00

MARTINEZCA$18.00

SAZERACCA$18.00

SOURS

PISCO SOURCA$18.00

WHISKEY SOURCA$18.00

Sweet and Fruity

DaiquiriCA$18.00

Singapore SlingCA$18.00

GimletCA$18.00

The Locomotive (Espresso Martini)CA$18.00

Tart and Bitter

Paper PlaneCA$18.00

MargaritaCA$18.00

SidecarCA$18.00

Aperol SpritzCA$18.00

Non Alcoholic

MargaritaCA$17.00

DaiquiriCA$17.00

Additional information

FAQs

What is the best day to go to Staff Only?

Is this a good pick for date night?

What's the ambience/atmosphere like in this restaurant?

Does this restaurant have any specials deals or experiences?

Does this restaurant serve alcohol?

What is this restaurant's stand-out or favorite dish?

What is the dress code for Staff Only?

Make a reservation

Staff Only

Make a reservation