#TheCoastWrapped 2021
In the style of the annual viral marketing campaign of a certain popular audio streaming platform that starts with Spot- and ends with -ify, here’s a look back at the most popular stories on The Coast in 2021 and the videos that received the most views. Let’s dive in! Best of Halifax 2021 Readers’ Choice…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Wednesday, Dec 8
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS cases Cases in kids Table of community health networks New and active cases …
COVID-19 round-up: More AstraZeneca for NS, a St. FX cluster and an extended Christmas holiday
The province has been making the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine available to some mandated public workers who refused an mRNA vaccine, top doc Robert Strang said, and has ordered a small amount of AstraZeneca doses for others who are refusing Moderna or Pfizer. “In my mind it’s not a great choice to be refusing…
The Centre For Art Tapes is fundraising for a permanent home
By now, many millennials have heard it all when it comes to home ownership, arms extending and muscles burning as the possibility remains beyond grasp. But what about an arts organization that’s of a similar age? How can it move beyond four decades of renting and on to a new phase? “I always say our…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Tuesday, Dec 7
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS cases Cases in kids Table of community health networks New and active cases …
Halifax’s north end given $111,000 in funding for public art
Earlier today, Andy Fillmore—Halifax’s member of parliament—announced the North End Business Association will receive $111,000 from federal funding (namely, through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund). The money is earmarked for creating a permanent monument to civil rights icon Viola Desmond in her own neighbourhood, which a statement says is to be created by a local…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Monday, Dec 6
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS cases Cases in kids Table of community health networks New and active cases …
No contact from premier, minister regarding racism faced by 16-year-old hockey player
The family of the 16-year-old hockey player who was subjected to racist taunts at a game in Prince Edward Island is disappointed having not yet heard from the Nova Scotia government. “I know it’s a hockey thing, but I thought (there would be) at least an acknowledgement from the minister in charge of African Nova…
Mandatory vaccine policy puts more than 1,050 NS workers on unpaid leave
More than 1,050 Nova Scotia workers in frontline health, education and civil service have been placed on unpaid leave following the province’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, which came into effect Nov 30. “The few in both mandates who didn’t get vaccinated have made their choice,” premier Tim Houston said in a statement. “It’s unfortunate they…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Friday, Dec 3
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS cases Cases in kids Table of community health networks New and active cases …
#BlackInSchool book details high school experiences of racism
When Habiba Diallo reflects on her high school experience in Halifax, she realizes not much has changed in terms of anti-Black racism. Now in her mid-20s, she’s noticed how institutions like the educational system have failed to improve the negative experiences that several Black students face daily—and it’s a change she believes many institutions are…
Lagomorph wins the 2021 Nova Scotia Masterworks Award
That old saying of not judging a book by its cover must’ve been joked about at least once at the Nova Scotia Masterworks judging table, which doled out its 2021 award earlier this week. The winning artwork—a handcrafted book—sports a quiet beauty immediately felt in its pebbled, plain cream cover. Inside, there’s a short story by…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Thursday, Dec 2
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS cases Cases in kids Table of community health networks New and active cases …
Your horoscope for the week December 2-8
HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK TO Kathleen Frevola, Stoney Wingfield V, Jo Napier, Sarah Mitchell, Ashley LeBlanc, Laura Button and Megan MacKay. share the love by emailing your friend’s name and birth date to bday@thecoast.ca then click your sign to go to your horoscope aquarius aries cancer capricorn gemini leo libra pisces sagittarius scorpio …
New instructions to police expected to strengthen ban on street checks
A new law enforcement directive is meant to strengthen the existing ban on the racist practice of police street checks, which targeted Black Haligonians six times more often than white residents. Liberal and NDP critics for justice and African Nova Scotian affairs say they’re pleased with the change, but there’s more work to be done. “It’s…
Doctor Strang talks the omicron variant and needing a new travel restriction for kids
Halting out-of-province travel for sports and arts events for kids under 11 is needed to prevent the spread of COVID among children until they become vaccinated, Robert Strang said Wednesday. Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health spoke in a teleconference with media that was called at the last minute, following the province’s sudden announcement…
UPDATE: Halifax modular units heading to Centennial Pool parking lot
Update: On Friday, Halifax released an update confirming the site for the Halifax modular units will be in the parking lot adjacent Centennial Pool. It’s been over two months since Halifax first announced modular units were in the works as winter shelter for unhoused locals. In mid-November, the location for the Dartmouth units was announced…
The Bachelorette episode 7 recap: There’s no place like hometown
Spoiler alert: The Coast will be recapping episodes of The Bachelorette every week this season. If you missed our introduction to this series, click here. Please stop reading if you don’t want to know what happened in the episode. When we get down to the final four in The Bachelorette, it’s usually obvious that there’s…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Wednesday, Dec 1
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS community health networks Table of community networks New and active cases Vaccination rate …
When a turn-on turns into a turn-off
Q So, my husband (42-year-old straight male) and I (38-year-old bi female) have had a closed relationship so far, but we have an active fantasy life. We’ve been together for about four years, and we both had our fair share of partners (casual and serious) before that. We like to talk about fantasies involving other…
Shelter siege protesters going back to court Wednesday
Twenty-four Haligonians are heading back to court for charges stemming from the August 18 shelter siege. That’s when protesters at the old Spring Garden Road library site were arrested after police showed up to pepper spray and disperse the crowd, which had gathered against the eviction of unhoused people living at the site. The charges…
Dartmouth community meeting about modular housing brings out the NIMBYs
Last night at the Zatzman Sportsplex, community members from downtown Dartmouth gathered to air their complaints to, and ask questions of, Halifax officials about 24 modular housing units, the location of which had recently been announced as just off Alderney Drive. The community meeting kicked off in the Nantucket room just after 7pm, with more…
Pop-up holiday markets to hit up this month in Halifax
Okay procrastinators, it’s time to get your credit card out of the freezer, your cash out of your piggy banks and start drafting your shopping list: This is gonna be the year we get it together and shop early. We will beat the holiday rush and, dare I hope, have fun in the process? Thanks…
HRM school buses may be impacted by mandatory proof of vaccine policy
The province says there may be school bus disruptions within the Halifax Regional Centre for Education due to the proof of COVID vaccination requirement, which comes into effect at the end of today. After Nov 30, all public workers in education, health, home care, long-term care, day care, correctional services and more must prove they…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Tuesday, Nov 30
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS community health networks Table of community networks New and active cases Vaccination rate …
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Monday, Nov 29
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS community health networks Table of community networks New and active cases Vaccination rate …
Catholic archdiocese building up to 20 tiny shelters on church land this winter
Last fall, when Roman Catholic archbishop Brian Dunn moved into his position, replacing longtime archbishop Anthony Mancini, he wrote a pastoral letter outlining four priorities for his sphere of influence, the Halifax-Yarmouth archdiocese. Three of those are very specific to church affairs, including the religious teaching called catechesis. The other priority is homelessness. “It was…
100 days after shelter siege, modular units still stalled
Today marks 100 days since Halifax police and city employees were ordered by staff to take down crisis shelters and tents at the old library grounds. Between the August 18 shelter siege and now, November 26, the city has promised hotel beds (revoked), modular units (delayed), and temporary shelters (not enough). While the optics of…
Screen Nova Scotia announces its 2021 winners
Screen Nova Scotia held its annual awards gala on Thursday night (last night, Nov 25), honouring some of the best productions, crew and cast members in the local film and television industry. While the COVID-19 pandemic forced this year’s awards gala—on its seventh iteration—to once again be held virtually, Nova Scotia’s film and television industry…
Housing advocates hosting a rally outside Province House on Sunday
People are invited and encouraged to gather outside the Nova Scotia legislature building on Sunday, November 28 to rally in support of housing for all. The event at Province House, titled “call back the house until we all have one,” will take place from 1-2pm and is being organized by members of P.A.D.S. (Permanent, Accessible,…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Friday, Nov 26
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS community health networks Table of community networks New and active cases Vaccination rate …
Explore a spellbinding, magic-filled world of dance with Bygones
Bygones Friday November 26, 8pm, Spatz Theatre, 1855 Trollope Street, $20-$35 There’s a sense of ominous magic infused in the spellbinding fantasy world of Bygones. Filled with ghostly architecture and sinister encounters, the contemporary dance show has an underlying theme of how people are shaped by the challenges they overcome. After being unable to present…
Halifax considers taking over housing from the province
On Tuesday, Halifax Regional Council met to discuss a motion on whether the municipality should do more when it comes to housing, among other things. The four-part motion originated from a report council requested back in January 2018 by downtown Halifax councillor Waye Mason. Two city staff, Jill MacLennan from planning and development and Scott…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Thursday, Nov 25
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS community health networks Table of community networks New and active cases Vaccination rate …
Where go we go from COP26?
As the world moves on from the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, the signs of our predicament are everywhere. Where I live, torrential rains have flooded towns and valleys, stranding and killing people and animals; wiped out roads, bridges and railways; and cut land access to Vancouver. A state of emergency was declared. Horrific memories…
Asking for a friend
Q I have a friend who is a trans man. Recently he just got out of a shitty relationship. His ex suddenly lost interest in him and wouldn’t work with him on fixing it. He’s heartbroken. He told me women often reject him once they find out he is trans and he’s tired of endless…
Your horoscope for the week November 25-December 1
HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK TO Patti Fewer, Teddy Julian, Jasmine Andrich, Allie Dennis, Maeve Merritt, Alia Saied, Ian MacNeil, Seamus Erskine, Chris Mueller, Dympna Martin, Margot Ecke, Nicole Opas, Pam Nicoll, Matthew Patterson and Sarah Bradfield. share the love by emailing your friend’s name and birth date to bday@thecoast.ca then click your sign to go to your horoscope aquarius aries cancer capricorn gemini leo …
Drift brings an elevated take on Atlantic Canadian cuisine to Halifax waterfront
W alking into Drift feels almost like entering a museum of east coast culture, and it’s exactly the type of atmosphere the team wants to exhibit. Celebrated chef Anthony Walsh is part of the team that’s shaping the restaurant’s Atlantic Canadian-focused menu, calling Drift his “culinary love letter” to Nova Scotia and the east coast.…
UPDATED: At last, almost all the university galleries are back
University art galleries are campus jewel boxes: A free shot of culture, a place to grow and learn that isn’t the lecture hall, a community hub simultaneously dripping with emotional resonance that’s also dry, so your sober friend can hang, too. But these deeply accessible spaces are for more than just the student set. They…
Washington Black series will be filming in Halifax
It smells like an Emmy win already: Washington Black, a nine-part miniseries adapted from Esi Edugyan’s hit, Giller-winning novel of the same name, will film some episodes here in Halifax. Telling the story of George Washington “Wash” Black, an 11-year-old who escapes a 1800s sugar plantation in Barbados, and his mentor Medwin Harris, a leader…
The Bachelorette episode 6 recap: To win over kids, try building them a blanket fort
Spoiler alert: The Coast will be recapping episodes of The Bachelorette every week this season. If you missed our introduction to this series, click here. Please stop reading if you don’t want to know what happened in the episode. Well folks, we’re nearing the end. After starting the season with dozens of dudes a few…
12 things you should know about Halifax’s 2021 resident survey
HRM’s latest resident survey was released last week, and the results tell citizens and politicians alike a lot about the people living in the municipality. This survey is the tenth since amalgamation in 1996, and was conducted between September 1 and 24 by phone, online and on paper. Questions range from who takes the bus…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Wednesday, Nov 24
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS community health networks Table of community networks New and active cases Vaccination rate …
Vaccines for NS kids coming December 2
Kids in Nova Scotia can get their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine beginning Dec 2. The province opened the booking system for child vaccine appointments Nov 26. “We expect the vaccine to start arriving this week and once we have certainty of delivery, date and time, we will open up appointments,” chief medical officer of…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Tuesday, Nov 23
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS community health networks Table of community networks New and active cases Vaccination rate …
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Monday, Nov 22
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS community health networks Table of community networks New and active cases Vaccination rate …
60 new COVID cases and a briefing scheduled for Wednesday
A man in his 90s died from COVID-19 in the western region of the province, marking 13 deaths since August and 107 deaths since the pandemic began in Nova Scotia. The province is reporting 60 new cases of COVID-19 since Friday, with 88 recoveries. “COVID-19 is still here. It isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and it…
Rural craft brewery goes urban with Gottingen Street taproom
Until September, if you were looking for Tusket Falls Brewing Company, you’d have to travel a bit off the beaten path. “It’s definitely in the country,” says Melanie Sweeney, co-owner of the brewery located seven minutes from Yarmouth in southwestern Nova Scotia. The reason behind such a secluded location? It’s home for both Sweeney and…
First look at the new Woozles on Shirley Street
During the half hour Liz Crocker sits on a window seat inside Woozles’ new location, two eager customers come to the door. “Are you open yet?” one woman asks from beneath a mask. “I really need an advent calendar,” says the second, peering expectantly at the LEGO toy calendars on a shelf just a few…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Friday, Nov 19
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS community health networks Table of community networks New and active cases Vaccination rate …
NS preps for loss of unvaccinated public education and health staff
With less than two weeks before all Nova Scotia’s public employees in health care, education and long-term care must show proof of COVID vaccination to keep working, the sectors are developing contingency plans to cope with losing staff. “When we put the policy in place, we did so accepting that we’re going to lose some…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Thursday, Nov 18
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS community health networks Table of community networks New and active cases Vaccination rate …
Justice minister isn’t concerned by police inaction after Gospel Light Baptist Church event
Premier Tim Houston said Wednesday he “can’t understand honestly why the police haven’t advanced their investigation” into the 100-person multi-day gathering put on by the Light Gospel Baptist Church, which led to a COVID outbreak and three deaths. “Police should be doing their job, they should be enforcing the laws,” the premier said during a…
Your horoscope for the week November 18-24
HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK TO Mara Jones, Max Pedersen, Stephanie Johns , Samantha Francis-Dobbs , Catherine Reilly, Katelyn Hillier, Kellie Manning, Knowledge Derry, Lee Colvin, Lesley Johnson, Philip Docker, George Macleod and Kristen Rector. share the love by emailing your friend’s name and birth date to bday@thecoast.ca then click your sign to go to your horoscope aquarius aries cancer capricorn gemini leo libra …
Public health fine against Gospel Light Baptist Church pastor is insufficient, premier says
The maximum public health fine ($2,422) against Gospel Light Baptist Church pastor Robert Smith, for hosting a 100-person gathering without proof of vaccine, is not enough, Tim Houston says. Nova Scotia’s premier is looking into further fine options following the church leader’s “totally disgusting” sermon remarks minimizing the loss of life to COVID-19. “I do…
Hannah Moscovitch’s big win
The day Hannah Moscovitch wins the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama, Halifax’s most decorated playwright is sipping milky coffee, untying and retying her half-up messy bun while soft light diffuses around her. It’s a serene Wednesday afternoon in her north end home, no champagne popping in sight. “I feel like I paid in pain…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Wednesday, Nov 17
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS community health networks Table of community networks New and active cases Vaccination rate …
Dartmouth bartender to represent Canada in international cocktail competition
“I was looking for a slower pace of life, a lower cost of living situation,” says bartender Marta Ess. It’s a late fall day and Ess is sitting at a window table just inside Dear Friend bar on Portland Street in downtown Dartmouth. The sun appears to be setting even though it’s barely 4pm, but thankfully…
The Bachelorette episode 5 recap: everybody goes home…to Michelle’s hometown
Spoiler alert: The Coast will be recapping episodes of The Bachelorette every week this season. If you missed our introduction to this series, click here. Please stop reading if you don’t want to know what happened in the episode. There’s a feeling of loss in the air as episode five of The Bachelorette’s 18th season…
Former Nova Scotia MP Lenore Zann returns as Rogue in Marvel’s X-Men ‘97
When it comes to origin stories, Rogue from X-Men has a pretty good one. She started out as a villain in her 1981 comic debut, before switching teams to work with Professor X and his crew of noble mutants. From there, she went on to help save the world about a bajillion times—all while keeping…
It’s been two years since the world’s first case of COVID-19
Patient One, the first person known to be infected with coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, was identified Nov 17, 2019—two years ago today. The debut instance of COVID contagion was reported by Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post, which found that a 55-year-old man in Hubei province was the first person to present with the virus. Scientists…
Failure of imagination drives the COP26 deal to cut transportation emissions
Resolving the climate crisis isn’t just about shifting from one technology to another; it’s about shifting our ways of thinking and being. It’s a point that often gets missed in conversations about major greenhouse gas emission sources. That was illustrated at the recent 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) climate summit, in Glasgow, where governments,…
Short shorts from labels to labias
Q I have a fun little labeling question. I’m a non-binary person who was assigned male at birth (AMAB). I gravitate towards femininity in life and in love. My question is about the inclusiveness of the label “lesbian.” Is this a label only for women? Or is it inclusive of everyone who is feminine and…
Weighing the costs of HRM’s crisis housing options
Late in September, Halifax announced a plausible, partial alternative to the unhoused population living outdoors this winter—a set of 73 modular housing units that cost $240,000 total and would be ready for habitation “before the snow flies.” Then came weeks of silence on the subject, followed by the admission at last Tuesday’s meeting of Halifax…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Tuesday, Nov 16
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS community health networks Table of community networks New and active cases Vaccination rate …
Revealed: the city’s plan to manage councillor reactions during the shelter siege
Early this summer, Halifax had given and missed its own deadline for removing shelters from the old Halifax Memorial Library grounds. The next steps were unclear, but tensions on all sides were rising and it was clear the city was gearing up to do something. In early July, councillor Shawn Cleary told The Coast that…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Monday, Nov 15
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS community health networks Table of community networks New and active cases Vaccination rate …
![Digging in to Max TS Yang’s COVID-inspired art show D[a]UNTING](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecoast.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/max_ts_yang_pinned_at_anna_leonowens_the_coast.webp?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
Digging in to Max TS Yang’s COVID-inspired art show D[a]UNTING
D[a]UNTING On until Nov 20, Anna Leonowens Gallery, 1891 Granville Street There’s a section in writer Ruby Tandoh’s anti-diet manifesto Eat Up! that delves into the science of “you are what you eat”: Yes, Tandoh explains, when you eat a watermelon, you become a bit more melon-y yourself: Its nutrients are processed and topped up…
Cluttered comes home
Cluttered w/Gemstones, Juice Girls, Desperate Times Nov 20, 8:30pm, Radstorm, 2177 Gottingen Street, $10/PWYC “I joke that the only thing I’m good at is playing music,” Matty Grace says. Hers is a quiet, deadpan delivery that belies her brand of anthemic, fuzzed-out punk that’s made her newest band, Cluttered, a nationally buzzed about act in…
Video of the week: Villages’ “Glistening Hum”
Folk-rock quartet Villages has long known how to grow magic out of the rich sonic topsoil of Cape Breton. Starting out as the indie rock act Mardeen before falling back in love with the roots music of its home island, the band blends influences like War on Drugs and Fleet Foxes with the salt sprayed-melodies…
COVID cases and news for Nova Scotia on Friday, Nov 12
NOTE: This day is now over. Click for the latest on COVID-19 from The Coast. Or for an informative look back at Nova Scotia’s evolving pandemic response, keep on reading. Jump to The Coast’s COVID charts Map of NS community health networks Table of community networks New and active cases Vaccination rate …
Best Personal Trainer
GOLD WINNER Mitchell Benvie, Evolve Fitness 3667 Strawberry Hill Street, unit 220 website SILVER WINNER Hannah Kovacs, MOVE EAST 6130 Quinpool Road website BRONZE WINNER Emily Herman, Emily Herman Fitness website
Best Indie Gift Shop
GOLD WINNER The Black Market Boutique 1545 Grafton Street website SILVER WINNER The Trainyard 137 Portland Street website BRONZE WINNER The Independent Mercantile Co 2091 Gottingen Street website
Best Bar
GOLD WINNER Durty Nelly’s Authentic Irish Pub 1645 Argyle Street website SILVER WINNER Good Robot Brewing Co. 2736 Robie Street website BRONZE WINNER Stillwell Beer Bar 1672 Barrington Street website
Best Clayton Park Area Restaurant
GOLD WINNER Mezza Lebanese Kitchen 278 Lacewood Drive website SILVER WINNER Tako Sushi & Ramen 480 Parkland Drive website BRONZE WINNER The Lower Deck 278 Lacewood Drive website
Best International Grocer
GOLD WINNER Pete’s Frootique & Fine Foods 1515 Dresden Row website SILVER WINNER Tian Phat Asian Grocery 209 Bedford Highway website BRONZE WINNER Indian Groceries 2585 Robie Street website
Best Restaurant
GOLD WINNER The Canteen 22 Portland Street website SILVER WINNER The Bicycle Thief 1475 Lower Water Street website BRONZE WINNER Antojo Tacos + Tequila 1667 Argyle Street website
Best Visual Artist
GOLD WINNER Kristen Herrington website SILVER WINNER Estelle Thompson website BRONZE WINNER Sarah Cresswell website
Best Radio Show
GOLD WINNER Virgin Mornings Turk Megan and Amateur Alex website SILVER WINNER Q104 BJ & The Q Morning Crew website BRONZE WINNER CBC Mainstreet website
Best Twitterer
GOLD WINNER @HalifaxRetales website SILVER WINNER @Halifaxnoise website BRONZE WINNER @Tim_Bousquet website
Best Tattoo Artist
GOLD WINNER Helena Darling 2590 Oxford Street website SILVER WINNER Gabe Squalor website BRONZE WINNER Scott Forbes 121 Portland Street website
Best Independent Bookstore
GOLD WINNER Venus Envy 1727 Barrington Street website SILVER WINNER Woozles 6013 Shirley street website BRONZE WINNER Bookmark 5686 Spring Garden Road website While the shelves of Venus Envy are filled with dildos and leather, there’s also a growing section of the store that stocks books of all sorts. From children’s books on gender to…
Best Barista
GOLD WINNER Keegan Blue, Almonak 5659 Almon Street SILVER WINNER Dan Weir, Weird Harbour Espresso Bar 1656 Barrington Street website BRONZE WINNER Jenna Oosterholt, Bliss Caffeine Bar 1451 South Park Street website Best Barista winner Keegan Blue says his favourite drink to make is an 8oz cappuccino with a tulip of milk foam on top.…
Best Cocktails
GOLD WINNER Lot Six Bar & Restaurant 1685 Argyle Street website SILVER WINNER Dear Friend Bar 67 Portland Street website BRONZE WINNER Julep Kitchen and Cocktails 1688 Barrington Street website
Best Italian Restaurant
GOLD WINNER Ristorante a Mano 1477 Lower Water Street website SILVER WINNER Il Mercato Trattoria 1595 Bedford Highway website BRONZE WINNER Bicycle Thief 1475 Lower Water Street website
Best Ribs
GOLD WINNER Mic Mac Bar & Grill 219 Waverley Road website SILVER WINNER Upsteet BBQ Brewhouse 612 Windmill Road website BRONZE WINNER Beaver Bank Station 991 Windgate Drive website HALL OF FAME Boneheads BBQ 1014 Barrington Street website Inducted in 2019
Best Blues Artist / Band
GOLD WINNER Garrett Mason SILVER WINNER Charlie A’Court website BRONZE WINNER Willie Stratton website
Best Radio Station For Local Music
GOLD WINNER 101.3 Virgin Radio website SILVER WINNER Q104 website BRONZE WINNER 105.9 Seaside FM website
Best Up-and-coming Community Leader
GOLD WINNER Kate MacDonald website SILVER WINNER DeRico Symonds website BRONZE WINNER Suzy Hansen 6080 Young Street website Being nominated for this award was a bit of a shock for Kate MacDonald. “It wasn’t until I was looking for people to vote for it that I even saw that I was nominated,” she says. MacDonald…
Best Tattoo / Piercing Joint
GOLD WINNER Darling Tattoos 2590 Oxford Street website SILVER WINNER Adept Tattoos & Body Piercing Studio 5525 Cornwallis Street website BRONZE WINNER Outlaw Country Tattoo 6103 North Street website
Best Home Decor Store
GOLD WINNER The Posh Pearl 171 Main Street website SILVER WINNER The Independent Mercantile Co. 2091 Gottingen Street website BRONZE WINNER Thornbloom 1459 South Park Street website Posh Pearl Home Decor in Dartmouth has worked very hard to be “the best little store around” stocked full with all the interior decor, rugs and runners, lighting…
Best Bartender
GOLD WINNER Nicki Brown, Good Robot Brewing Co. 2736 Robie Street website SILVER WINNER Anisa Francoeur, Dear Friend Bar 67 Portland Street website BRONZE WINNER Abel Glass, 5 Social 1740 Argyle Street
Best Coffee
GOLD WINNER Java Blend 6027 North Street website SILVER WINNER Dilly Dally Coffee Cafe 6100 Quinpool Road website BRONZE WINNER Apartment 3 Espresso Bar 833 Sackville Drive website Whether you’re more of a Fog City roast gal or a Northender roast pal, you’ll probably agree the best coffee in the city is served at Java…
Best Late-night Food
GOLD WINNER Willy’s Fresh Cut Fries & Burgers 5239 Blowers Street website SILVER WINNER Freeman’s Little New York 1726 Grafton Street website BRONZE WINNER Smoke’s Poutinerie 5236 Blowers Street website
Best Sackville Restaurant
GOLD WINNER Beaver Bank Station 991 Windgate Drive website SILVER WINNER Kaiser’s Sub & Sandwich Shoppes 799 Sackville Drive website BRONZE WINNER Tom’s Family Restaurant 585 Sackville Drive website
Best Country Artist / Band
GOLD WINNER Brooklyn Blackmore website SILVER WINNER Amanda Riley website BRONZE WINNER Farewell Town website
Best Rock Artist / Band
GOLD WINNER Matt Mays website SILVER WINNER The Town Heroes website BRONZE WINNER Adam Baldwin website
Best Film / TV Actor
GOLD WINNER Elliot Page website SILVER WINNER Johnathan Torrens website BRONZE WINNER Ursula Calder website
Best Tailor
GOLD WINNER Mic Mac Tailors 21 Micmac Boulevard website SILVER WINNER Sherzad’s Tailoring Shop Brewery Market, 1496 Lower Water Street website BRONZE WINNER Daniels Tailors 5657 Spring Garden Road website
Best Hairstylist
GOLD WINNER Andrew Quinn Chapman, AQC Salon 5954 Spring Garden Road website SILVER WINNER Karly Hodder, Tidal Hair Lounge 3136 Isleville Street, suite 201 website BRONZE WINNER Iesha Parsons, Satin Salon 19 Alma Crescent, unit 201 website
Best Bedford Restaurant
GOLD WINNER il Mercato Trattoria 1595 Bedford Highway website SILVER WINNER Birch & Anchor 367 Bedford Highway website BRONZE WINNER Finbar’s Irish Pub 1595 Bedford Highway website
Best Craft Brewery
GOLD WINNER Good Robot Brewing Co. 2736 Robie Street website SILVER WINNER Garrison Brewing 1149 Marginal Road website BRONZE WINNER North Brewing 899 Portland Street website
Best Middle Eastern / Persian Restaurant
GOLD WINNER Mezza Lebanese Kitchen, Barrington Street 1558 Barrington Street website SILVER WINNER Tarek’s Cafe 3045 Robie Street website BRONZE WINNER Lemon Tree 805 Bedford Highway website
Best Tea
GOLD WINNER World Tea House 1592 Argyle Street website SILVER WINNER Selbys bunker 1090 Cole Harbour Road website BRONZE WINNER Holy Moly Tea 114 Woodlawn Road website
Best Cover Artist / Band
GOLD WINNER Signal Hill website SILVER WINNER The Mellotones website BRONZE WINNER Amanda Riley website
Best Solo Artist
GOLD WINNER Adam Baldwin website SILVER WINNER Maura Whitman BRONZE WINNER Michael S Ryan website
Best Spa
GOLD WINNER Sensea Nordic Spa 40 Sensea Road, Chester website SILVER WINNER Spirit Spa 5150 Salter Street, suite 200 website BRONZE WINNER Vitality Medi-Spa 5424 Doyle Street website When Christophe Debeaumont opened Sensea Spa just outside Chester, NS in January 2020, no one knew the pandemic was lurking just around the corner. “We started with…
Best Hair Salon
GOLD WINNER Tidal Hair Lounge 3136 Isleville Street, suite 201 website SILVER WINNER AQC Salon 5954 Spring Garden Road website BRONZE WINNER Virtue Hair Salon 44 Marketplace Drive website Over the past 20 months of pandemic-related closures and adjustments for the salon and personal industry, Tidal Hair Lounge’s owners say they’ve found a silver lining.…
Best Breakfast
GOLD WINNER Ardmore Tea Room 6499 Quinpool Road website SILVER WINNER Edna 2053 Gottingen Street website BRONZE WINNER Pur & Simple 189 Hector Gate website
Best Dartmouth Restaurant
GOLD WINNER The Canteen 22 Portland Street website SILVER WINNER Mic Mac Bar & Grill 219 Waverley Road website BRONZE WINNER John’s Lunch 352 Pleasant Street website
Best Milkshake
GOLD WINNER Flynn’s Dairy Bar & Convenience 1365 Hollis Street website SILVER WINNER The Chickenburger 1531 Bedford Highway website BRONZE WINNER Five Guys 1630 Argyle Street website HALL OF FAME Darrell’s Restaurant 5576 Fenwick Street website Inducted in 2019
Best Trivia Night
GOLD WINNER The Board Room Game Cafe 1256 Barrington Street website SILVER WINNER Lion’s Head Tavern 3085 Robie Street website BRONZE WINNER Beaver Bank Station 991 Windgate Drive website
Best DJ
GOLD WINNER DJ Skeeter-B website SILVER WINNER DJ IV website BRONZE WINNER DJ Okay TK website He spins wax at Kai Brady’s Fancy Dive Bar and The Pint, splicing smooth R&B with dance-floor-heating hip hop. Delivering the tunes that can keep up with Pabst-fuelled frosh and seasoned barflies alike is no easy task, but Halifax…
Best Activist Organization
GOLD WINNER Out of the Cold Community Association 7 Church Street, Dartmouth website SILVER WINNER Adsum House 2421 Brunswick Street website BRONZE WINNER Halifax Mutual Aid Society website HALL OF FAME Ecology Action Centre 2705 Fern Lane website Inducted in 2017 Out of The Cold began seeing changes to its operating model as soon as…
Best Second-hand Clothing Store
GOLD WINNER Guy’s Frenchy’s Sackville 12 Murdock MacKay Court, Lower Sackville website SILVER WINNER Soul’s Harbour Mission Mart 5568 Cunard Street website BRONZE WINNER The Loot 5781 Charles Street website The one and only Frenchy’s left in the Halifax Regional Municipality has been crowned king of vintage vendors by Coast readers this year. Though it…
Best Gym
GOLD WINNER Evolve Fitness 3667 Strawberry Hill Street, unit 220 website SILVER WINNER RStudios 2470 Maynard Street website BRONZE WINNER SpinCo 1453 Birmingham Street website It’s the seventh year in a row winning gold in BOH for Evolve Fitness. But co-owner Matt Benvie says “I don’t really believe in being the best gym because I…
Best Brew Pub
GOLD WINNER Good Robot Brewing Co. 2736 Robie Street website SILVER WINNER Battery Park Beerbar & Eatery 62 Ochterloney Street website BRONZE WINNER Stillwell Beer Bar 1672 Barrington Street website Co-owner of Good Robot Brewing Co. Josh Counsil chalks the north end brewery’s win up to being a values-oriented organization. After years of pushing campaigns…
Best Desserts
GOLD WINNER Antoinette’s Cheesecakes 250 Baker Drive website SILVER WINNER Sweet Hereafter Cheesecakery 6148 Quinpool Road website BRONZE WINNER The Middle Spoon Desserterie & Bar 1563 Barrington Street website
Best Nachos
GOLD WINNER Finbar’s Irish Pub 1595 Bedford Highway website SILVER WINNER The Lower Deck 1887 Upper Water Street website BRONZE WINNER Birch & Anchor 367 Bedford Highway website HALL OF FAME Economy Shoe Shop 1663 Argyle Street website Inducted in 2009
Best Use Of Local Ingredients
GOLD WINNER The Wooden Monkey, Dartmouth 40 Alderney Drive website SILVER WINNER The Canteen 22 Portland Street website BRONZE WINNER Bar Kismet 2722 Agricola Street website
Best Electronic Artist / Band
GOLD WINNER Neon Dreams website SILVER WINNER Rich Aucoin website BRONZE WINNER KittyBass website Adrian Morris and Frank Kadillac—the duo behind the name Neon Dreams— are proving that when it comes to being on the come-up, there will always be a higher plane to ascend. Case in point? While the rest of us have been…
Best Business Giving Back During The Pandemic
GOLD WINNER Good Robot Brewing Co. 2736 Robie Street website SILVER WINNER The Canteen 22 Portland Street website BRONZE WINNER Evolve Fitness 3667 Strawberry Hill Street, unit 220 website
Best Record Store
GOLD WINNER Taz Records, Halifax 1521 Grafton Street website SILVER WINNER Taz Records, Dartmouth 45 Portland Street website BRONZE WINNER Obsolete Records 2855 Agricola Street website Taz Records owner Jimmy Donnelly insists he has no idea why the shop won gold for Best Record Shop. “I don’t know, Halifax. The Coast readers keep saying we’re…
Best Flower Shop
GOLD WINNER My Mothers Bloomers 2086 Creighton Street website SILVER WINNER Audrey’s Little Shop of Plants 102 Portland Street website BRONZE WINNER The Flower Shop 1705 Barrington Street website
Best Brunch
GOLD WINNER The Canteen 22 Portland Street website SILVER WINNER Ardmore Tea Room 6499 Quinpool Road website BRONZE WINNER Cheeky Neighbour Diner 6024 Quinpool Road website
Best Diner
GOLD WINNER Ardmore Tea Room 6499 Quinpool Road website SILVER WINNER Armview Restaurant & Lounge 7156 Chebucto Road website BRONZE WINNER Cheeky Neighbour Diner 6024 Quinpool Road website
Best New Restaurant
GOLD WINNER Dear Friend Bar 67 Portland Street website SILVER WINNER Hermitage 1460 Lower Water Street website BRONZE WINNER Easy Street Diner 3625 Dutch Village Road website Dear Friend opened its doors in July 2020 and has received well-deserved attention ever since. “We were overwhelmed with how much we were nominated for,” says co-owner Matt…
Best Vegetarian-friendly
GOLD WINNER The Wooden Monkey 1707 Grafton Street website SILVER WINNER enVie – A Vegan Kitchen 5775 Charles Street website BRONZE WINNER Heartwood 6250 Quinpool Road website The Wooden Monkey may have won gold for Best Vegetarian-friendly, but it is not a veggie-only eatery. “Our goal has always been to have something for everyone,” co-owner…
Best Folk Artist / Band
GOLD WINNER Rose Cousins website SILVER WINNER Willie Stratton website BRONZE WINNER Hillsburn website By now, you might be thinking that gold-winning folkie Rose Cousins must be sick to death of hearing about how hard her 2020 album Bravado slaps: She has the Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year Juno to prove it, after all.…
Best Community Project
GOLD WINNER Halifax Mutual Aid Mini Shelters website SILVER WINNER Hope Blooms 2346 Brunswick Street website BRONZE WINNER Taking BLK Gottingen Halifax Mutual Aid is a largely anonymous group. Because of that, spokesperson Campbell McClintock doesn’t even know how many volunteers are involved. But another number comes readily to mind: This year, they’ve collectively built…
Best Real Estate Agent
GOLD WINNER Robert Scanlan, Royal LePage Atlantic 610 Wright Avenue website SILVER WINNER James Dwyer, Engel & Völkers 1901 Gottingen Street website BRONZE WINNER Rosie Porter, Royal LePage Atlantic 7071 Bayers Road, unit 102 website
Best Fitness Instructor
GOLD WINNER Alan Dalton, Evolve Fitness 3667 Strawberry Hill Street, unit 220 website SILVER WINNER Nicola Cameron, RStudios 2470 Maynard Street website BRONZE WINNER Hannah Kovacs, MOVE EAST 6130 Quinpool Road website
Best Burger
GOLD WINNER Darrell’s Restaurant 5576 Fenwick Street website SILVER WINNER Battery Park Beerbar & Eatery 62 Ochterloney Street website BRONZE WINNER Side Hustle Snack Bar 899 Portland Street website
Best Fine Dining
GOLD WINNER Bar Kismet 2722 Agricola Street website SILVER WINNER Da Maurizo 1496 Lower Water Street website BRONZE WINNER Bicycle Thief 1475 Lower Water Street website Bar Kismet, the intimate north end restaurant with exceptional and creative seafood dishes, has won gold for Best Fine Dining. Bar Kismet’s co-owner, Jenner Cormier, says all credit for…
Best Nova Scotian Winery
GOLD WINNER Benjamin Bridge 1966 White Rock Road, Wolfville website SILVER WINNER Lightfoot & Wolfville 11143 Evangeline Trail, Wolfville website BRONZE WINNER Luckett Vineyards 1293 Grand Pre Road, Gaspereau Valley website
Best Book
GOLD WINNER Butter Honey Pig Bread, Francesca Ekwuyasi website SILVER WINNER The Last Time I Saw Her, Alexandra Harrington website BRONZE WINNER Our Best NS Adventure Journal, Jen Meza website Francesca Ekwuyasi should, by now, be used to blue-sky phone calls delivering pinch-me good news. After all, her debut novel was a Giller Prize longlister,…
Best Hip Hop Artist / Band
GOLD WINNER Classified website SILVER WINNER Atay & Jax website BRONZE WINNER Quake Matthews website
Best Councillor
GOLD WINNER Lindell Smith website SILVER WINNER Tim Outhit website BRONZE WINNER Tony Mancini website North end Halifax councillor Lindell Smith has won gold for HRM’s Best Councillor in his second term. Thirty-one-year-old Smith represents Halifax Peninsula North on council. He is a lifelong north end resident and co-founder of Center Line Studio, a non-profit…
Best Plumber
GOLD WINNER Tammy Buchanan Small Jobs Plumbing website SILVER WINNER Down East Plumbing 61 Golden Rod Lane, Grand Desert website BRONZE WINNER Dimitri’s Plumbing website
Best Esthetician
GOLD WINNER Natalie MacDonald, Blair Beauty Bar 6247 Quinpool Road website SILVER WINNER Stacy Landry, Adorn Salon + Spa 1308 Saint Margarets Bay Road website BRONZE WINNER Andrea Bowness, The Ten Spot 5165 South Street website It was winning the BOH gold award in 2018 that inspired Natalie MacDonald to go out on her own…
Best Burrito
GOLD WINNER Habaneros Modern Taco Bar 600 Windmill Road website SILVER WINNER Burrito Jax 5215 Blowers Street website BRONZE WINNER Dee Dee’s Ice Cream 5668 Cornwallis Street website
Best Fish & Chips
GOLD WINNER John’s Lunch 352 Pleasant Street website SILVER WINNER Pleasant Street Diner 205 Pleasant Street website BRONZE WINNER Freddie’s Fish & Chips 8 Oland Crescent website The homepage of the John’s Lunch website reads “The Coast’s gold winner for ‘Best Seafood’ and ‘Best Fish & Chips’ for over a decade,“ and that’s true again…
Best Pan-Asian Restaurant
GOLD WINNER Cha Baa Thai Restaurant 1546 Queen Street website SILVER WINNER Talay Thai 5164 Morris Street website BRONZE WINNER Buta Ramen 5190 Morris Street website Cha Baa Thai‚ this year’s gold winner for Best of Halifax’s new Best Pan-Asian Restaurant category‚ has been serving up delicious curries using fresh ingredients since 2007. Cha Baa…
Best Comedian
GOLD WINNER Alicia Mccarvell website SILVER WINNER Hello City Improv Group 2203 Gottingen Street website BRONZE WINNER Travis Lindsay website
Best Jazz Artist / Band
GOLD WINNER Holly Arsenault Trio website SILVER WINNER Andrew Jackson website BRONZE WINNER Morgan Zwicker website
Best COVID Briefing Quote
GOLD WINNER “Stay the blazes home,” premier Stephen McNeil SILVER WINNER “It is not the time to go to Costco for sandals that you heard were in stock,” Doctor Strang BRONZE WINNER “And when this has passed may we say that love spread more quickly than any virus ever could,” Doctor Strang
Best New Business
GOLD WINNER Bliss Caffeine Bar 1451 South Park Street website SILVER WINNER Dear Friend Bar 67 Portland Street website BRONZE WINNER Satin Salon and Nail Bar 19 Alma Crescent, unit 201 website
Best Dog Groomer
GOLD WINNER Jollytails 6390 Lady Hammond Road website SILVER WINNER Prim & Pupper 2310 Gottingen Street website BRONZE WINNER Dapper Dogs 1658 Bedford Highway website
Best Butcher Shop
GOLD WINNER Gateway Meat Market 667 Main Street, Dartmouth website SILVER WINNER 2 Boys Smokehouse & Deli 984 Cole Harbour Road website BRONZE WINNER Getaway Farms 5544 Kaye Street website
Best Donair
GOLD WINNER Tony’s Famous Donairs & Pizza 2390 Robie Street website SILVER WINNER Randy’s Pizza & Donair, Agricola 2380 Agricola Street website BRONZE WINNER Johnny K’s 5246 Blowers Street website HALL OF FAME King of Donair, Halifax 6422 Quinpool Road website Inducted in 2016
Best Pasta
GOLD WINNER Ristorante a Mano 1477 Lower Water Street website SILVER WINNER The Vines Pasta Grill 4 Panavista Drive website BRONZE WINNER Il Mercato 1595 Bedford Highway website
Best Dance Company / Group
GOLD WINNER House of Eights Dance Studio 1533 Barrington Street, 2nd Floor website SILVER WINNER Unleashed Studio 245 Waverley Road website BRONZE WINNER Ruckus website It doesn’t take a beat for Abady Alzahrani, owner and manager of House of Eights, to summarize the magic the Barrington Street dance studio distills in its devotees: “There’s not…
Best Metal Artist / Band
GOLD WINNER Black Moor website SILVER WINNER Orchids Curse website BRONZE WINNER Botfly website “I think it’s kind of funny to us because we haven’t done anything in so long,” says bassist/vocalist Brycen Gunn, when he hears Black Moor has won Best Metal Band for the fourth year running. The band hasn’t seen much of…
Best Halifamous Person
GOLD WINNER Doctor Strang SILVER WINNER Alicia Mccarvell website BRONZE WINNER Elliot Page website Doctor Robert Strang laughed when he heard he’d won gold for Best Halifamous Person. The chief medical officer of health has been the constant star at hundreds of COVID-19 briefings, alongside three different premiers over the 20 months he’s been guiding…
Best Moving Company
GOLD WINNER Two Men and a Truck website SILVER WINNER Mundens Moving 45 Lovett Lake Court website BRONZE WINNER Able Movers website
Best Corner Store
GOLD WINNER Flynn’s Dairy Bar & Convenience 1365 Hollis Street website SILVER WINNER Jubilee Junction Convenience and Takeout 6273 Jubilee Road website BRONZE WINNER Atlantic News 5560 Morris Street website This year’s gold winner for Best Corner Store is really much more than your typical corner store. Flynn’s Dairy Bar & Convenience is the spot…
Best Caesar
GOLD WINNER Stubborn Goat Gastropub 1579 Grafton Street website SILVER WINNER The Canteen 22 Portland Street website BRONZE WINNER Black Sheep Restaurant 1496 Lower Water Street website
Best Farmers’ Market Stall
GOLD WINNER Noggins Corner 1031 Marginal Road website SILVER WINNER Bliss Bowls 2 Ochterloney Street website BRONZE WINNER Roma’s Cheese (Ciro) Seaport Farmer’s Market, Pier 22 Pavillion website
Best Patio
GOLD WINNER Stubborn Goat Beer Garden 1599 Lower Water Street website SILVER WINNER Birch & Anchor 367 Bedford Highway website BRONZE WINNER Stillwell Beergarden 5688 Spring Garden Road website HALL OF FAME Your Father’s Moustache 5686 Spring Garden Road website Inducted in 2016
Best Dancer
GOLD WINNER Cavell Holland website SILVER WINNER Kelsy Gillis website BRONZE WINNER Ariel McDonald
Best Music Video
GOLD WINNER “Queen” The Town Heroes SILVER WINNER “Cool Kids” John Snow ft. Staks BRONZE WINNER “Never Too Late” Advocates of Truth
Best Instagram Account
GOLD WINNER @AliciaMccarvell website SILVER WINNER @HalifaxNoise website BRONZE WINNER @DalMemes website “I think the cool part about comedy online is that it’s allowed people to create within a safe space of their home,” says Best Instagram Account and Best Comedian gold winner Alicia Mccarvell, explaining her not-so-atypical-in-2021 introduction to professional laugh-getting. Mccarvell, who makes…
Best Men’s Clothing Store
GOLD WINNER EastCoast Kicks 60 Queen Street, Dartmouth website SILVER WINNER Biscuit General Store 2050 Gottingen Street website BRONZE WINNER Trev Clothing 60 Queen Street, Dartmouth website HALL OF FAME Duggers 5409 Spring Garden Road website Inducted in 2017 While East Coast Kicks is primarily, as the name implies, a shoe store, owner John Connors…
Best Comics Store
GOLD WINNER Cape & Cowl Comics & Collectibles 622 Sackville Drive website SILVER WINNER Giant Robot 114 Woodlawn Road website BRONZE WINNER Monster Comics Lounge 2089 Gottingen Street website HALL OF FAME Strange Adventures, Halifax 5110 Prince Street website Inducted in 2017
Best Cafe
GOLD WINNER Two If By Sea Cafe 66 Ochterloney Street website SILVER WINNER Dilly Dally Coffee Cafe 6100 Quinpool Road website BRONZE WINNER Selby’s Bunker Coffee & Gifts 1090 Cole Harbour Road website
Best Fish Cakes
GOLD WINNER Mic Mac Bar & Grill 219 Waverley Road website SILVER WINNER Black Sheep Restaurant 1496 Lower Water Street website BRONZE WINNER Evan’s Fresh Seafoods 2 Ochterloney Street website
Best Pizza Pie
GOLD WINNER Yeah Yeahs Pizza 66 Ochterloney Street website SILVER WINNER Morris East, Vernon Street 1984 Vernon Street website BRONZE WINNER Stone Pizza 79 Alderney Drive website HALL OF FAME Salvatore’s Pizzaiolo Trattoria 5541 Young Street website Inducted in 2016
Best Drag Performer
GOLD WINNER Elle Noir website SILVER WINNER Zara Matrix website BRONZE WINNER Haus of Rivers website HALL OF FAME Rouge Fatale website Inducted in 2017
Best Songwriter
GOLD WINNER Joel Plaskett website SILVER WINNER Mo Kenney BRONZE WINNER Nicole Ariana website
Best Place For A First Date
GOLD WINNER Halifax waterfront website SILVER WINNER The Board Room Game Cafe 1256 Barrington Street website BRONZE WINNER Halifax Public Gardens Spring Garden Road & Summer Street website
Best of Halifax 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards results
Halifax, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways. Over 110 categories of local excellence have been awarded in The Coast’s 2021 Best of Halifax Readers’ Choice Awards, voted on by 30,835 Haligonians—with 506,152 total votes cast. All that math adds up to one thing: A whole lotta love for this city by…
Best Barbershop
GOLD WINNER Legends 14 Highfield Park Drive website SILVER WINNER Oddfellows Barbershop 6451 Quinpool Road website BRONZE WINNER Devoted Barbers & Co 60 Queen Street, Dartmouth website
Best Chef
GOLD WINNER Renée Lavalée, The Canteen 22 Portland Street website SILVER WINNER Brad George, Dear Friend Bar 67 Portland Street website BRONZE WINNER Lauren Marshall, Real Fake Meats 2278 Gottingen Street website Renée Lavalle hails from Shawville, Quebec and studied at George Brown College in Toronto, but she has called Nova Scotia home for the…
Best Fries
GOLD WINNER Bud The Spud Spring Garden Road & Grafton Street website SILVER WINNER Willy’s Fresh Cut Fries & Burgers 5239 Blowers Street website BRONZE WINNER Stubborn Goat Gastropub 1579 Grafton Street website After seven years being responsible for carrying the torch of running the Bud The Spud food truck, Jody LeBlanc sold the business…
Best Pizza Slice
GOLD WINNER Yeah Yeahs Pizza 66 Ochterloney Street website SILVER WINNER On The Wedge 1595 Bedford Highway website BRONZE WINNER Sicilian Pizza, Donairs & Subs 5245 Blowers Street website Because the menu at Yeah Yeah’s Pizza isn’t very extensive—five regular pizzas plus a rotating weekly special—the shop depends a lot on taste. “Just quality ingredients,…
Best Filmmaker
GOLD WINNER Tyler Simmonds website SILVER WINNER Shelley Thompson website BRONZE WINNER Taylor Olson When The Coast asks Tyler Simmonds why he thinks people tend to connect with his films so strongly, he replies easily: “I honestly think it’s just authenticity. It’s very real. I don’t really fabricate anything,” he says. The director has long…
Best New Artist / Band
GOLD WINNER Maura Whitman SILVER WINNER Pillow Fite website BRONZE WINNER Avery Dakin website In one sense, it feels a little off to call singer-songwriter Maura Whitman and let her know she’s won Best New Artist. After all, the 20-year-old is such a prodigy that the prestigious Gordie Sampson Songwriting Camp broke its no-teens-allowed rule…
Best Place To Volunteer
GOLD WINNER COVID-19 testing sites website SILVER WINNER SPCA Nova Scotia 5 Scarfe Court, Dartmouth website BRONZE WINNER Feed Nova Scotia 67 Wright Avenue website This year’s gold winner for Best Place To Volunteer is the same force that kept Nova Scotians as safe as possible throughout the pandemic: COVID-19 testing sites. The volunteer-run testing…
Best Yoga Studio
GOLD WINNER Shanti Hot Yoga Halifax 5508 Spring Garden Road website SILVER WINNER R Studios 2470 Maynard Street website BRONZE WINNER Oxygen Yoga and Fitness 5410 Doyle Street website For more than a decade, Shanti Hot Yoga has been invigorating the local yoga community with a range of classes suited for all ages and skill…
Best Mechanic Shop
GOLD WINNER Mighty Auto 6437 Lady Hammond Road website SILVER WINNER Todd’s Southend Car Care 5368 Inglis Street website BRONZE WINNER Chad Kennedy Autopro 102 Albro Lake Road website
Best Bike Store
GOLD WINNER Cyclesmith 2553 Agricola Street website SILVER WINNER Bike & Bean 5401 St Margarets Bay Road website BRONZE WINNER The Bike Pedaler 61 Portland Street website
Best Chowder
GOLD WINNER The Canteen 22 Portland Street website SILVER WINNER Esquire Restaurant 772 Bedford Highway website BRONZE WINNER Durty Nelly’s Authentic Irish Pub 1645 Argyle Street website
Best Greek Restaurant
GOLD WINNER ela! Greek Taverna Restaurant 215 Chain Lake Drive website SILVER WINNER Mezza Lebanese Kitchen, Barrington 1558 Barrington Street website BRONZE WINNER Blue Olive Greek Taverna 6208 Quinpool Road website
Best Poutine
GOLD WINNER Willy’s Fresh Cut Fries & Burgers 5239 Blowers Street website SILVER WINNER Cheese Curds Gourmet Burgers + Poutinerie 600 Windmill Road website BRONZE WINNER Smoke’s Poutinerie 5236 Blowers Street website
Best Podcast
GOLD WINNER Nighttime podcast website SILVER WINNER Sickboy Podcast website BRONZE WINNER The Weekend Roundup website Jordan Bonaparte’s true crime and mystery podcast continues to provide sickly-stickly nightmare fuel for ears across HRM, with topics in its over-90-episode-deep archive ranging from incels to ghosts to government health and safety cover-ups. Its overthrow of longtime category…
Best Pop Artist / Band
GOLD WINNER Neon Dreams website SILVER WINNER Good Dear Good website BRONZE WINNER Maura Whitman
Best Public Art Or Mural
GOLD WINNER Dartmouth Positivity murals website SILVER WINNER Downtown Dartmouth’s “The Neon Mural” 161 Portland Street website BRONZE WINNER Freak Lunchbox side mural 1729 Barrington Street website
Best Yoga Instructor
GOLD WINNER Stefanie Winters website SILVER WINNER Lindsay Umlah website BRONZE WINNER Estelle Thomson website A global pandemic isn’t something that is going to stop Stefanie Winters from doing what she does best. Prior to COVID, the yoga instructor was blazing through each week by teaching up to 20 in-studio classes. But when Nova Scotia…
Best Manicure / Pedicure
GOLD WINNER Spirit Spa 5150 Salter Street, suite 200 website SILVER WINNER The Ten Spot Halifax 5165 South Street website BRONZE WINNER Honey Bee Beauty Bar 2594 Agricola Street website
Best Barber
GOLD WINNER Robyn Ingraham 60 Queen Street, Dartmouth website SILVER WINNER Cedric DeChamp AKA Ceddy The Barber 14 Highfield Park Drive website BRONZE WINNER Jeremy Naugler 6451 Quinpool Road website It was Robyn Ingraham’s birthday when she found out she won this year’s Best Barber award, and she instantly thought it was one of the…
Best Chicken Wings
GOLD WINNER The Pint Public House 1575 Argyle Street website SILVER WINNER HFX Sports Bar & Grill 1721 Brunswick Street website BRONZE WINNER Freemans Little New York 1726 Grafton Street website
Best Hotel Restaurant
GOLD WINNER Chop Steakhouse & Bar 1680 Grafton Street website SILVER WINNER Gio 1725 Market Street website BRONZE WINNER Tempo food+drink 1875 Barrington Street website
Best Pub Food
GOLD WINNER Mic Mac Bar & Grill 219 Waverley Road website SILVER WINNER Durty Nelly’s Authentic Irish Pub 1645 Argyle Street website BRONZE WINNER The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse 5136 Prince Street website Whether you’re in the mood for a lobster supper, tasty brunch, seafood platter, a burger or a steak, the Mic Mac Bar…
Best Gallery
GOLD WINNER Art Gallery of Nova Scotia 1723 Hollis Street website SILVER WINNER The Discovery Centre 1215 Lower Water Street website BRONZE WINNER Argyle Fine Art 1559 Barrington Street website
Best Punk Artist / Band
GOLD WINNER Like A Motorcycle website SILVER WINNER Sleepshaker website BRONZE WINNER Booji Boys website
Best Public Space
GOLD WINNER Halifax Waterfront website SILVER WINNER Halifax Public Gardens Spring Garden Road & Summer Street website BRONZE WINNER Point Pleasant Park 5530 Point Pleasant Drive website
Best Women’s Clothing Store
GOLD WINNER Sweet Pea Boutique 1542 Queen Street website SILVER WINNER Biscuit General Store 2050 Gottingen Street website BRONZE WINNER ANA + ZAC 2576 Agricola Street website
Best Jewellery Store
GOLD WINNER Fireworks Gallery 1569 Barrington Street website SILVER WINNER Black Market Boutique 1545 Grafton Street website BRONZE WINNER House of Moda 5431 Spring Garden Road website For Shannon Snelgrove, manager at Fireworks Gallery on Barrington Street, it’s the sense of community they bring to their customers that sets them apart as the Best Jewellery…
Best Bakery
GOLD WINNER LF Bakery 2063 Gottingen Street website SILVER WINNER Birdie’s Bread Co. 380 Pleasant Street website BRONZE WINNER Two If By Sea Cafe 66 Ochterloney Street website If you’ve tasted their chocolatine, sourdough baguette or gruyere cheese croissant, it will come as no surprise that LF Bakery has won Best of Halifax’s gold for…
Best Cidery
GOLD WINNER Lake City Cider 35 Portland Streetwebsite SILVER WINNER Chain Yard Cider 2606 Agricola Street website BRONZE WINNER Annapolis Cider Co 388 Main Street, Wolfville website While some may long for a storefront in downtown Halifax, Poet Comeau says she’s a “super proud Dartmouth girl” at heart. “I see it more as an opportunity.…
Best Ice Cream / Gelato / Frozen Yogurt
GOLD WINNER Cows 1891 Upper Water Street website SILVER WINNER Dairy Bar 1489 South Park Street website BRONZE WINNER Flynn’s Dairy Bar & Convenience 1365 Hollis Street website
Best Wine List
GOLD WINNER Obladee, A Wine Bar 1600 Barrington Street website SILVER WINNER The Bicycle Thief 1475 Lower Water Street website BRONZE WINNER Bar Kismet 2733 Agricola Street website Obladee celebrated its 11th birthday this fall with the title of Best Wine List. Owner Heather Rankin is quick to declare the list is “not one of…
Best Theatre Actor
GOLD WINNER Nathan Simmons SILVER WINNER Stewart Legere website BRONZE WINNER Becca Guilderson website Back in grade school, Nathan Simmons was too shy to audition for the school play: “I couldn’t do it. But then, all the classes got to come and watch it. And I remember watching it…and seeing everyone have so much fun…
Best R&B Artist / Band
GOLD WINNER Roxy & The Underground Soul Sound website SILVER WINNER Aquakultre website BRONZE WINNER Reeny Smith website
Best Staycation Spot
GOLD WINNER Sensea Nordic Spa 40 Sensea Road, Chester website SILVER WINNER White Point Beach Resort 75 White Point Beach Resort Road, White Point website BRONZE WINNER The Quarterdeck 7499 Lighthouse Rte #3, Port Mouton website
