Bar Scene

Winner: The Dome Runner-up: The Palace

Winner: Steve Jarrett Runner-up: Trayci Metzger

Winner: The Bitter End

Is it the way they hold their trays that impresses you? Perhaps you love the way they deal with pissy customers. You love the way Pearl and Stan sling your hash—here’s hoping you’re tipping generously for a job well done.

1721 Brunswick Street, 429-5959 The flashing lights, the pounding dance music, the cheap shots, the exposed flesh—the whole Palatial joie de vivre, basically—combine to make this your favourite place to pick up a breeder. Runner-up: The Dome 1726-1740 Argyle Street, 421-1655

1584 Sackville Street, 422-2957 So, Reflections just installed this crazy smoke machine thingy on its ceiling. The frequent emissions add an air of mystery to the dance floor—it may well be the best place to pick up a queer, though you might be surprised when you get him or her home. Runner-up: Citadel Hill

5686 Spring Garden Road, 423-6766 High above Spring Garden Road, you can quaff an ale or nosh on pub food outside, and no one at street-level will even know you’re up there. Runner-up: Argyle Bar and Grill 1575 Argyle Street, 492-8844

The Dome & My Apartment (1726-1740 Argyle Street, 421-1655); Velvet Olive (Corner of Market and George Streets, 492-2233) (tie) Donny’s co-workers say he’s best described as “the guy with the ponytail.” They also say that ponytail, by the way, is tweed-coloured. Donny is fast, all pizzazz: “he’s world-renowned for flippin’ a beer bottle, lighting someone’s […]

Corner of Market and George Streets, 492-2233 A swanky atmosphere, with lush curtains and plush cushions, plus a fantastic selection of cocktails, make the Olive our readers’ favourite place to sip—or even gulp—a cocktail or two. Runner-up: Mokka Ultrabar 1588 Granville Street, 492-4036

1663 Argyle Street, 423-7463 Of course, you’re never really alone in Halifax, are you? Especially at the Shoe Shop, where you’re bound to see someone you know. And if you really want to drink alone, there are plenty of nooks and crannies to hide in. Runner-up: Seahorse Tavern 1659 Argyle Street, 423-7200

Historic Properties, 425-1501 When the pipes, the pipes are calling big crowds of people together to hoist ales and yell “sociable,” this is where they go to do it. Runner-up: Economy Shoe Shop 1663 Argyle Street, 423-7463

1883 Granville Street, 422-4411 When I turned 19, many years ago, I went to J.J.’s twice a week to drink vodka and limes for $2.20 a pop. I don’t know if the bar still has that special, but it was a great place to get bent then and must be the same now. Runner-up: The […]