Drake Hotel vs. Gladstone Hotel: Which Queen West Landmark Fits Your Night?

Two heritage hotels anchor the western end of Queen Street, a few blocks apart, and both double as destinations for drinks, music and art even if you never book a room. Here is how they compare, using TripExpert's side-by-side profile, Destination Toronto's August 2026 hotel bar roundup, Curiocity's Queen West bar guide and Ted Valentin's July 2026 hotel bar guide.

The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West)

TripExpert describes the Drake as a former flophouse turned artsy boutique hotel in the West Queen West arts district, with eclectic vintage and modern décor, permanent art installations and five on-site venues for drinking, dining and live music. Ted Valentin's guide highlights its cocktail bar, rooftop Sky Yard patio and Underground entertainment venue, and Destination Toronto lists the Drake's Lobby Bar as serving modern craft cocktails in an intimate, retro setting overlooking Queen West. Room counts differ between sources, so check with the hotel directly if that matters to you.

The Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West)

TripExpert calls the Gladstone a heritage property dating to the 1880s in a red-brick building, with artist-designed rooms and an intimate focus on local art and products, positioned as an alternative to chain hotels. It adds that the property is continuously buzzing with events and may be loud for families seeking quiet. Curiocity lists the Gladstone's Melody Bar as a spot for drinks, food and drag performances.

Head to Head

Vibe: The Drake skews bohemian and nightlife-oriented, with multiple venues under one roof. The Gladstone feels more like an arts building with a hotel attached, built around events and artist-designed rooms.

Drinks: For cocktails and a patio, the Drake's Lobby Bar and Sky Yard are the draw. For a casual, performance-driven night, the Gladstone's Melody Bar is the one Curiocity highlights.

Music and events: The Drake's Underground is its live entertainment venue; the Gladstone is known for a steady calendar of events, so check what is on that week.

Price and size: TripExpert quoted prices from $141 a night for the Drake and $173 for the Gladstone, though that listing is undated, so confirm current rates before booking.

Nearby Stops to Round Out the Evening

Curiocity's Queen West list includes several bars within walking distance: Three Hearts Club (1300 Queen Street West) for dancing and cocktails, The Shameful Tiki Room (1378 Queen Street West) for tropical drinks, Bar Poet (1090 Queen Street West) for pizza, beer and cocktails, and Poetry Jazz Cafe (1078 Queen Street West) for live jazz and poetry. That article is from 2024, so verify hours first.

How to Choose

Pick the Drake if you want a polished cocktail evening with a rooftop option and several rooms to wander between. Pick the Gladstone if you prefer a heritage building, local art and a lively events calendar. If you are staying overnight and need quiet, TripExpert's note about Gladstone noise is worth weighing. Either way, you can easily try both in one night, since they sit within a short walk of each other on the same street.