Bar Scene
Posted inBest of Halifax

Best Pick-up Bar

Carsten Knox

Given the continuing domination of The Palace of this category, one has to assume that the popular dance club has led to consistent nights of romance and fluid-sharing (hey, we meant having a few drinks, what were you thinking?) and who knows, maybe even a few new friends. Hey, if you’re up for a good […]

Posted inBest of Halifax

Best Nightclub

Carsten Knox

Once again Reflections takes the triple crown of the dance scene. The Sackville street venue has become iconic for being all things to all people: friendly, inclusive, upbeat, with a variety of live acts, DJ nights and an anything-goes kind of atmosphere. “We’ve made some changes to make it easier to get in and out,” […]

Posted inBest of Halifax

Best Neighbourhood Bar

Carsten Knox

Though it’s been serving the north end community for over 45 years, Gus’ Pub doesn’t look a year over 19. Maybe it’s because of the awesome new raised stage, improving sight lines for the always-enthusiastic crowd to better enjoy the local and visiting rock acts and folk artists that play there. Maybe it’s the new […]

Posted inBest of Halifax

Best Happy Hour

Coast Staff

Though the price per glass during “power hour” (Wednesday, Thursdays and Saturdays) has gone up five cents, the domestic beer is still a great deal at $1.45 and keeps the punters, both students and other local beverage lovers, coming back to the 250-year-old bar for more. And if the cheap drinks aren’t enough of a […]

Posted inBest of Halifax

Best Bouncer/Door Person

Coast Staff

“He’s pretty much the mayor of Halifax… he knows everybody,” says his “sidekick,” doorperson Toni Landry, who’s been backing up Carl “Gooch” Comeau for 6 of the 12 years he’s worked the Lower Deck. “He’s a lifer,” she says, laughing. “He’s huge. Nobody messes with him.” She adds that it’s not just intimidation that brings […]

Posted inBest of Halifax

Best Nightclub

Coast Staff

“The secret is that it’s a very happy place,” says Mike Schmid, manager at Reflections. “That’s the atmosphere and it feeds itself.” The mix of DJ nights, live music and “anything goes” talent shows, along with a special kind of laissez faire attitude from the staff makes for a no-labels, inclusive kind of place. “Our […]

Posted inBest of Halifax

Best Place to Drink Alone

Coast Staff

There aren’t many places in town that have this kind of atmosphere, welcoming the solo drinker. Of course, you don’t have to be alone to enjoy a beverage or a meal at Tom’s. There’s just something about it, maybe the fact the once-smoky, former cigar bar has both the comfy booths and the tables, a […]

Posted inBest of Halifax

Best Pick-up Bar

Coast Staff

There’s a good reason you see those line-ups down Brunswick street on a Thursday night. The wet t-shirt contest is infamous, as is the sexy legs contest, and then there are the dancers, that cage, the second stage, the VIP section overlooking the downstairs and DJ Smooooth Steve and DJ Fierce keeping the tunes thumpin’. […]

Posted inBest of Halifax

Best Student Hang Out

Coast Staff

Open since ’74 (renoed in ’05), the Gorsebrook gets top marks for its theme nights: pirate nights and beach parties and the annual Alexander Keith’s birthday bash. That and the fact it’s a little cooler than your typically divey student bar. “It’s the oak and leather,” says bar manager and SMU grad Lorne Caborn. Students […]

Posted inBest of Halifax

Best Nightclub

Coast Staff

Reflections has a long reputation for being the best place to dance; now it’s been crowned Halifax’s best nightclub too. “Above all, this is a place to go, relax and have fun,” says manager Mike Schmid. “This is a no-labels bar, and we work very hard to make it feel comfortable, friendly and safe for […]

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