Author: Blogs by Bisi
Aura Lounge is one of the newest spots in Toronto’s Riverside neighborhood. Tucked in at 686 Queen Street East, between the famous Riverside Burgers and the new Ali Baba’s restaurant, Aura offers evening dining and cocktail vibes and their special Turkish Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-4pm.
The two business-oriented brothers, Arda and Andi Akin opened Aura in 2021 when the COVID 19 pandemic engulfed the world and forced all and sundry to stay home, except for the essential workers, which include eatery and other food stores. The duo had turned the disappointment that COVID 19 brought into an opportunity. Arda was studying Marketing and Andi, a business-oriented course when the pandemic emerged, after which they start up their own bar and cocktail lounge in the former space of former longtime Riverside business Aft.
The Turkish brothers chose Riverside due to its sense of community and vibrancy.
Their Turkish Brunch, launched in February 2022, happens every Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm, among fresh cocktails like; Scottish Kiss, Elbinya, Maple, Dara, Ali Can dream. Their heated patio and DJ beats have been pulling in customers over the cooler season, and they plan to expand to a front patio as part of CafeTO in spring ‘22.
Aura Lounge also steps up in its cuisine varieties, as well as quality wines to wind down, after the day’s work.
The re-emergence of dine-in is building momentum and promises to grow over the spring and summer to bring back that vibrancy, and make the community bubbling and full of life. Aura is in a great spot, just steps from Queen and Broadview and beside established spots such as The Broadview Hotel, Prohibition Social House, and Eastbound Brewing Co.
The taste of the pudding is in the eating, according to the cliche. Check out Aura’s offerings with a following of their Instagram page, http://www.instagram.com/auraofficial.ca/ among other social media platforms
About the Author:
Bisi has been a community content and scriptwriter since 2006, working internationally as a journalist and now locally in Toronto.