Gus’ Pub & Grill
“Whenever we have big metal shows, we order extra Olands,” says Jake Cuming, a bartender at Gus’. He stresses Olands, Olands, and more Olands. Plus cheap draughts. And whiskey shots—“The hard stuff.”
2605 Agricola Street, 423-7786
The Company House
CoHo owner Mary Ann Daye suggests a bit of the hard stuff for courage—“Perhaps a Jameson’s whiskey and a shot of tequila”—but says Jager is a definite no-no for singer-songwriter inspirations. Propeller Bitter and IPA are her biggest hits and there’s always tea with honey for those scratchy throat nights.
2202 Gottingen Street, 404-3050
Seahorse Tavern
The Tavern’s heavy amber beer—Propeller Horsepower—packs a heavy punch, and has been fuelling the sweat of punk and metal fans each show. “The kids get licked off it,” says Seahorse booking manager Troy Arsenault. At $3.50 a pint, it’s no wonder.
1665 Argyle Street, 423-7200
The Bus Stop Theatre
Howard Beye, Bus Stop owner, has gone a step further and coined a singer-songwriter-inspired drink after the “fanciful idea that you would have arrived [made it big] as a singer-songwriter when you had played Helsinki, Finland.” Mix a half glass of ice, one part vodka, half part Grand Marnier, splash of lime juice and fill the glass with cranberry juice.
2203 Gottingen Street
This article appears in Jan 28 – Feb 3, 2010.