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 […]
Bar Scene
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Nightclub
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
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
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
“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
“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
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
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
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 Neighbourhood Bar
2605 Agricola, 423-7786 First runner up: Charlie’s Club, 5580 Cunard, 429-1401 Second runner up: Bearly’s House of Blues & Ribs, 1269 Barrington, 423-2526
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Thursday Night
Johnny Demestihas sighs. The manager of Argyle is still searching for the secret to his bar’s Thursday night success. “If I knew what the secret was,” he says, “I’d stretch it out all week!” It might be the martinis; it might be that the weekend really does start a day early in Halifax. But Demestihas […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Thursday night
Johnny Demestihas sighs. The manager of Argyle is still searching for the secret to his bar’s Thursday night success. “If I knew what the secret was,” he says, “I’d stretch it out all week!” It might be the martinis; it might be that the weekend really does start a day early in Halifax. But Demestihas […]
