June 28, 2012 Food & Drink » Patio Guide

        
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Patios for people-watching

Peeping peeps

by Tara Thorne

click to enlarge

The harbourside patio at Hamachi Steakhouse has 30 seats upon which you can watch the booze cruises drift by.

The harbourside patio at Hamachi Steakhouse has 30 seats upon which you can watch the booze cruises drift by.

Bearly's House of Blues and Ribs
The south side of Barrington Street is a friendly place in the summer. It's rare to stand about for any length of time without striking up a conversation, and if that's your thing, this is the place. Park it on Bearly's minimalist patio and soak up the sweet strains of local R&B, jazz and blues wafting outside from the bar (plus local comedy on Wednesdays before the ever-popular karaoke with Mimi), have a nosh (the kitchen's open to 10pm Tuesday to Sunday) admire some meticulously cared for motorcycles and drown your sorrows/toast your happiness with a drink. 1269 Barrington Street, 423-2526

Economy Shoe Shop
Another classic Argyle Street joint, the Economy Shoe Shop is known for its nachos. So why not stop for a bite and quench your thirst on their patio? After those salty, spicy, cheesy mounds of goodness, you might need more than one. Like most Argyle hotspots, the view from the Shoe Shop might not be the most spectacular---hello, vacant lot---but hey, you'll probably be too busy chowin' down and drinkin' up to notice. 1663 Argyle Street, 423-8845

The Fireside Restaurant
These 30 seats make some of the primest people-watching space downtown, with eyes on the Brunswick rundown, Spring Garden pass and library lawn. Drool over the passing Folklore Centre guitars and Taz Records finds in the day or marvel at the alcohol-to-heel-to-falling ratio at night. Plus: Martinis! 1500 Brunswick Street, 423-5995

Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market
If you can find a more majestic south end view of the Harbour, you must live in the sky. Walk through the market and put yourself together a local spread, tote it all up the stairs and head on out to the rooftop patio for a lovely scene. It'll be open on Canada Day for the fireworks. 1209 Marginal Road, 429-6256

Hamachi Steakhouse Bar & Grill
This harbourside patio has 30 seats upon which you can enjoy some late-afternoon sushi and/or a huge drink menu, featuring beer, wine, scotch, martinis and "exotic" cocktails. Or settle in for dinner---there's food that doesn't swim, too---and watch the booze cruises drift by. 1477 Lower Water Street, 422-1600

Q Smokehouse and Southern Barbecue
A different sort of patio for Argyle Street---though there is a small selection of booze available, you're hanging out at Q for one thing: Meat. Watch the ladies and dudes do their various mating dances and dodge cabs all the way up and down the street while you sit, relaxed and full, the smell of hickory kissing the night goodbye. 1580 Argyle Street, 407-4006

Rogues Roost
While it might be tiny---six tables---there's nothing like people-watching on a patio with a microbrew in hand. And if Spring Garden Road isn't the best spot for that, then I don't know what is. With five ales to choose from, feel free to sit and people-watch all day. After all, you really should sample them all...5435 Spring Garden Road, 492-2337