Toronto Distillery District: Whisky Exploration Game and Tour

You're following a bootlegger's ghost through a real neighborhood, solving puzzles that unlock the next stop.

This is a self-guided exploration game and tour through Toronto's Distillery District, played on your phone using the Questo app. You start at Cherry Street Gate, solve clues at each stop to unlock directions to the next one, and follow the story of Rocco Perri, an infamous Canadian bootlegger, as it unfolds across fifteen locations including Spirit of York Distillery, Corkin Gallery, Balzac's Distillery District, and Izumi Sake Brewery. You control the pace and can linger at any stop as long as you like. The game takes roughly one to two hours to complete, though you set the speed. A tour guide is available as an add-on option if you prefer narration. Entry tickets to individual attractions are optional and not required to finish the game.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Toronto Distillery District

• Start at Cherry Street Gate
• Solve challenge at Corkin Gallery
• Solve challenge at Spirit of York Distillery
• Solve challenge at Balzac’s Distillery District
• Solve challenge at Pure Spirits Oyster House
• Solve challenge at Thomson Landry Gallery
• Solve challenge at Izumi Sake Brewery
• Solve challenge at Arvo Coffee/pump station
• Solve challenge at Arta Gallery
• Solve challenge at Artscape Distillery District
• Solve challenge at Soma Chocolatier
• Solve challenge at Longslice Brewery
• Solve challenge at Queen City Vinegar Co. Lofts
• Solve challenge at Brickworks Cider House
• Finish at Saulter Street Brewery

The experience

Download the Questo app after booking and you're ready to start. The game begins at Cherry Street Gate with your first clue: solve it and your phone gives you exact directions to the next location. This isn't a guided walk where you follow someone else's pace. You move through the Distillery District on your own schedule, stopping to explore galleries, distilleries, breweries and smaller venues as long as you want at each one. The story of Rocco Perri, a real bootlegger from Toronto's past, threads through the challenges, so the neighborhood becomes part of the narrative instead of just a backdrop.

Fifteen stops take you from Cherry Street Gate through Corkin Gallery, Spirit of York Distillery, Balzac's Distillery District, Pure Spirits Oyster House and Grill, Thomson Landry Gallery, Izumi Sake Brewery, Arvo Coffee, Arta Gallery, Artscape Distillery District, Soma Chocolatier, Longslice Brewery, Queen City Vinegar Co. Lofts, Brickworks Cider House, and finally Saulter Street Brewery. At each one you solve a new puzzle to unlock the next clue and directions. You can spend five minutes or an hour at any location. The game waits for you. If you want narration and context instead of solving everything yourself, you can add a tour guide to your booking.

The whole experience runs one to two hours depending on how long you linger and how quickly you solve the puzzles. You'll need a smartphone with the app downloaded and a data connection or downloaded maps to navigate between stops. The Distillery District is walkable, and public transit is nearby if you need it. Customer support is available 24/7 if you get stuck on a puzzle or have questions while you're playing.

What’s included

• Access to the Questo app with the full exploration game and story.
• 24/7 customer support if you need help with a puzzle or have questions while playing.
• directions and clues delivered to your phone at each of the fifteen stops.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Questo

Is this one for you?Choose the self-guided version if you want to move at your own pace and linger at locations, or add a live guide if you prefer someone narrating the history and bootlegging stories as you walk.

Traveler reviews

3.40★★★★★★★★★★

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Top questions

What happens if I get stuck on one of the puzzles?

Customer support is available 24/7 to help you through any challenge. You can contact them directly from the app if you need a hint or clarification on what the puzzle is asking.

Do I need to buy tickets to get inside Spirit of York Distillery and the other attractions?

Entry tickets to individual attractions are optional and not required to complete the game. You can solve the puzzles and explore the exteriors and public areas without purchasing admission, though some locations may invite you inside if you want to go further.

Can multiple people play on the same phone?

Several people can share one phone, though the operator recommends each person purchase a ticket for the optimal experience so everyone can play at their own pace and solve puzzles independently.

How long does the whole game take?

The game typically takes one to two hours from start to finish at Saulter Street Brewery, but you control the pace entirely. You can spend as long as you like at any stop, so the total time depends on how quickly you solve puzzles and how much you want to explore each location.

What is the Distillery District like as a neighborhood?

The Distillery District is a walkable area in Toronto filled with galleries, breweries, distilleries, cafes and shops housed in historic buildings. The game takes you through both well-known and lesser-known spots, so you'll discover corners of the neighborhood most visitors miss.

Do I need a tour guide, or can I do this on my own?

The game is designed to be self-guided. Your phone provides all the clues and directions you need. A tour guide is available as an optional add-on if you'd prefer someone to narrate the history and context as you move through the district.