Winter pop-ups come and go, but this one has a proper pedigree. Ace Hotel Toronto has partnered with Bar Gyu — the famous speakeasy in Niseko, Japan's ski country — to transform its rooftop bar Evangeline into a Japanese-inspired winter chalet, open from November 26, 2026 through February 14, 2027.

The idea came from Bar Gyu co-founder Ioanna Morelli, who grew up in Toronto and has since spent half her life in Japan. Her partner Hisashi Watanabe has hand-painted the menus, and the team has recreated Bar Gyu's iconic red Coca-Cola door on the patio doors, alongside vintage skis, Japanese fabrics and a vinyl-only DJ setup running Thursdays from 8 p.m. to midnight.

The drinks are the headline act. Bar Gyu's signatures — the Japanese Whisky Sour, Hojicha Alexander and Paper Crane — sit alongside creations built for the collab, like an East Meets West Old Fashioned blending Lot 40 with Japanese whiskies, and a Ume highball mixing Lot 40 dark oak, umeshu and plum vinegar. Two whisky tasting flights (Lot 40 Cask Exploration and Japanese Whisky 101) come with tasting notes, Japanese-style beers from Toronto's Godspeed Brewery round out the list, and there's a solid non-alcoholic section too.

Food comes from Ace Hotel's executive chef Moto Nishimura, who has designed a Japanese-tinged snack menu: sushi pizza, katsu sando and pork chashu skewers, plus two fondues. The cheese version is spiked with whisky and white miso, served with chashu pork, shiitake mushrooms and lotus chips for dipping; the chocolate one pairs with Japanese sweet potato and fresh fruit. Nishimura points out that fondue isn't traditionally Japanese, but it's a favourite après-ski dish in Japan's snowy regions — hence the local twist.

Practicalities: the chalet runs during Evangeline's regular hours, seven days a week — Tuesday to Thursday 5 p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. The venue is at 51 Camden St. Reservations go through OpenTable and are strongly recommended, since the first run of this concept proved popular enough to justify a comeback.

Who is this for? Anyone who loves Japanese whisky, skiers dreaming of a Niseko trip they can't take this month, or anyone looking for a warm, atmospheric spot to ride out a Toronto winter evening. It's a rare chance to sample the vibe of one of Japan's most beloved ski-town bars without leaving Ontario — and if it hooks you, it might just push Niseko up your travel list for next season.