Bar Scene

Haligonians looking for a place to start off their night are most likely to head to the Shoe Shop. “We’ve got really good food,” says bar owner Victor Syperek, “and you get a lot of it for a reasonable price.” With a little bit of nosh under your belt, you can soak in the casual […]

Last year the Grawood took the top spot in this hotly contested category; this year, the tables are turned. Saint Mary’s University Student Association President and Gorsebrook patron Zach Churchill says the bar’s success has to do with its popular weekly events. “We have a very popular open mic night on Wednesday nights,” he says, […]

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 […]

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 […]

The Palace repeats the dubious honour of being named best pick-up bar in Halifax—and simultaneously, best place to break up. How does The Palace do it, year after year? You could be cynical and say it’s all just booze, perfume and hormones, or you could take the optimistic view and use the word we prefer: […]

“We’ve got great ambience,” says Victor Syperek, “and lots of intimate corners where you can tuck yourselves away; either to be alone, or to sit and people watch.” The low lighting is sexy and the setting is private—with an option for entertainment, if things start going downhill. Factor in the plentiful, affordable food and drink […]

We’re not saying that you should be suspicious if your significant other suggests a night out at The Palace. We’re just saying that you should be suspicious if your significant other suggests a night out at The Palace. However, if such a night out does take place, and if said night out does involve a […]

Forget nooners in a secluded parking lot overlooking the Bedford basin; Haligonians are making it happen in Point Pleasant Park. Not wind, nor sleet, nor rain, nor lack of cover will deter Halifax’s outdoors-lovers from getting busy in the great outdoors. Hurricane Juan and the subsequent loss of foliage in the park didn’t seem to […]

One would think it might be easier to keep secret love a secret indoors, but not in this city, it seems. Apparently Haligonians prefer the “It’s so obvious, it can’t possibly be true” disguise over any sort of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” tomfoolery in any of the city’s fine hotels. Nope, we’d rather meet our […]

The Coast’s first-ever plaque for Best Hotel Bar goes to the Fife and Drum. Nestled in the ground floor of the Casino Nova Scotia, the Fife is popular with hotel guests and locals alike, according to manager Joni Sawler. “We offer every guest warm Maritime hospitality, good food and great service,” she says. “And of […]

“Barrett’s Privateers” is to Halifax what “It’s A Small World” is to Disneyland. But if you want a more authentic Celtic experience, the Old Triangle is for you. Owned by celebrated musicians Evans and Doherty, who still play there on occasion, the Triangle is also a popular hangout for groups such as the Shearwater Pipe […]

The home of the mason jar takes this year’s prize by a hair of the dog, with only two votes separating the top three finishers. But according to Grawood supervisor Lindsey Gardner, rumours of a cross-town campus bar rivalry are unfounded. “We did a pub crawl with the Gorsebrook staff last year,” she says. Ah […]