For the next week, 5,000 sailors will spill into Halifax Harbour, just as the Queen makes her royal visit with Prince Philip. While you may not find them in the same place--no matter how high Elephant & Castle flies its Union Jack---it'd be in good taste to make a toast to Her Highness in a proper English pub.
Elephant & Castle
"We're mounting a Union Jack flag and a Canadian flag outside the building," says E&C owner Peter Baylis excitedly. Elephant & Castle is offering 10 percent off to all navy personnel, as long as they arrive in uniform or show credentials. "And for fun, we'll have a VIP section in case the queen decides to show up," says Baylis. Ask a bartender about the new "Captain Morgan random rum rounds." 5171 George Street, 405-8875
Maxwell's Plum
Offering 60 kinds of draught on tap puts the Plum at the top of the list for those who want an English pub with plenty of beer choices, and the fact that the kitchen's open until 2am, seven days a week, also falls in its favour. But what else can the pub offer sailors? "We've increased our rum, with a few nautical-themed rums on board," says manager Mike Hillier. Enough said. 1600 Grafton Street, 423-5090
Henry House Offering five English-style ales from Halifax's own Granite Brewery, the Henry House is an excellent pub for both brew and grub. We asked if it's doing anything special for the week, and discovered that things are going to stay steady---"We always do just what we always do...every visitor that comes to our door, we make really welcome," said a manager on Tuesday. Judging from its often full basement, main dining area and patio, doing what the Henry House always does seems to be just right. 1222 Barrington Street, 423-5660
