I have to admit that I’m not a big beer drinker; I’m a cocktail person, so when I decided to test some of the great pubs in Halifax, I made sure to go with my brother, a beer aficionado, to make sure I was getting all the right brews!
I’ve rated these five pubs by of beer selection, menu and atmosphere.
1 – Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub
1660 Argyle Street – Downtown Halifax
I’m always raving about Durty Nelly’s, and if you go, you’ll understand why. With live music on weekends (and some week nights), friendly staff, cozy atmosphere, comfort pub food and a huge beer menu it’s no wonder it’s a local favourite amongst Haligonians!
We sat at the bar for our visit and watched the bartenders waltz around the counter quickly; filling endless orders was quite impressive. I decided to order the Garrison Irish Red. It was ruby red and had a nice after taste!
2 – Split Crow Pub
1855 Granville Street – Downtown Halifax
We went to Split Crow after Nocturne for some beer and poutine and managed to catch the tail-end of the Jays game. There is often a fantastic line-up of live music. Check out the schedule here! The atmosphere was great — it feels very Nova Scotian inside with its nods to our history and a traditional Nova Scotian menu. I ordered a John Shippey’s Cream Ale, brewed especially for Split Crow. It was quite good! Also, if you are a student or someone who likes a good deal on beer, Split Crow does weekly Power Hours on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Don’t miss out!
3 – The Loose Cannon
1566 Argyle Street – Downtown Halifax
A great pub on bustling Argyle Street. It was my first time at The Loose Cannon, a Scottish pub. The pub is dark and comfortable and there were plenty of menu options (including haggis!).
We both tried the bangers and mash (delicious) and I ordered the Shock Top beer, a Belgian White. It was very good: a beautiful tawny colour with a nice foam top.
4 – The Arms Public House
1515 South Park Street – Downtown Halifax
The Arms inside the Lord Nelson Hotel is such a cool place. It has a nice vibe and a great menu selection. I decided to go with the North Brewing Company’s North Saison beer, a slightly bitter beer with a sweet aftertaste. Plus, it’s always good to support local. I hemmed and hawed over the menu for a good five minutes before I settled on the seafood chowder, which was creamy and perfectly seasoned with large scallops, lobster pieces and shrimp.
5 – Rockbottom Brew Pub
5686 Spring Garden Road – Downtown Halifax
The pub quest ended at Rockbottom Brew Pub below Your Father’s Moustache on Spring Garden Road. It’s a cozy English pub with a great variety of beers and a nice food selection.
We went on open mic night, too, and got to listen to talented performers while we enjoyed some Loyalist E.S.B beers. A beautiful caramel colour with a nice bitter taste and a great aroma, I’d definitely recommend this one.
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