Wood grains and bleached tones cast a sexy mood about the room, and soulful lounge beats provide the Barrio soundtrack. Someone has set reasonable limits on the volume knob, controlling the subtle mood that Barrio is clearly angling for.

Four gold stars now shed light over the cocktail lounge’s shimmering new counter, beckoning patrons to the eight stools and stylish tables about the room. Behind the counter is a narrow bar now focused on supplying signature cocktails and glasses of Chardonnay; there's not a two-dollar beer in sight.

There’s another treasure behind the bar (besides the bar staff) abandoned by tenants past; a 1940s wooden Curtis refrigerator: an original ice box that, in its day, would have necessitated blocks of ice to keep things cool. Now polished, refurbished and electric, the unit is a hard-working beauty.

With a separate, tapas menu featuring Verveine staples in bite-sized portions, Barrio could be that little touch that Leslieville needed. The polished, DIY design and the lack of of-the-moment turntablists add to that neighbourhood - sorry, barrio feeling.