Best Pub in Downtown/Beltine

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Bunk

If you're willing to venture east - Cold Garden, although it doesn't have food is amazing. It's very hipstery, but amazing beer and atmosphere.

...as long as you like dogs. Which I do. But not everyone wants to step around a half-dozen wet, slobbering hounds when they sit down for a pint.

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Is the Dog & Duck Still open down near Chinook?

Yes. And it still has a genuine pub atmosphere. On the minus side, the bathrooms are grim, the service indifferent, and the food is execrable. So an authentic English pub experience.

[woob]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

Go to the Ship, if you don't like it, you can go next door to National.

National and Craft and 10th are pretty hot right now too.

You're skipping.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

...as long as you like dogs. Which I do. But not everyone wants to step around a half-dozen wet, slobbering hounds when they sit down for a pint.

I thought they banned dogs from there?

[CaptainYooh]

So far, The Ship is leading big time, with Palomino being distant second. Is that a fact, CP'ers?

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

So far, The Ship is leading big time, with Palomino being distant second. Is that a fact, CP'ers?

Dont you live here? What’s your favourite place? That would have a big effect on suggestions.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

So far, The Ship is leading big time, with Palomino being distant second. Is that a fact, CP'ers?

Those places emphasize music - could be live bands and lots of hipsters. If that is not your thing, Pig & Duke seems to be a popular pick, and is a more traditional pub. St James (1st St) also in that niche.

[Travis Munroe]

If I had someone coming in from out of town and wanted to take them somewhere neat, chances are you would find me playing some beanbag on the rooftop of Stephen Ave National. It is unlike anything else and is quite impressive to someone who has never been. The food is less than average but I the atmosphere should make up for it. (assuming it is the summer and still open)

If it is not patio season, the basement at last best for a haircut and cocktail and then make your way upstairs or step out and go to Hudsons for a flames game or Beer Revolution for some pizza and huge selection of beer which is fun to order as it is rotating on the tvs everywhere.

Or you could go to Ceilis and get 40% off your bill by purchasing the stupid amount of gift cards I have left over from an event which I am selling at a loss

[woob]

When is this visitor arriving?

[CaptainYooh]

I love noisy pubs with lots of good draft beer choices, loud music, lots of screens, good quality finger foods and friendly waitresses.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by woob

When is this visitor arriving?

this week

[Roughneck]

But since The Ship is obviously the best bar around, I'll try to give some feedback on the other places that haven't really been mentioned.

All the National's have a pretty good Happy Hour (3-6pm, $0.25/oz) but outside of that time there are better bangs for the buck, because it gets pricey.

Bottlescrew Bills has it's charm. A good way point between the Stephen Ave options and the East Beltline options. I've often done the 'Bear and Kilt' then pop in for a pint or two at BBs, then onto the Hop In Brew before heading home.

Leopold's replaced the Drum and Monkey. Not bad. Doesn't have the gritty authenticity the Drum had that made up for it's other shortcomings, but some decent specials, decent vibe, I like the big windows. It's worth checking out if you're in the area. Not sure I'd make it a destination.

St. James' Gate. Never really cared for it. Pricey, loud bu, and just didn't do it for me.

Last Best - I like it. Might be a bit fancy on the food side for some people's tastes, but beer and atmosphere wise it's on point.

Mill Street Brewpub - Not bad. Inconsistent service depending on where you are it seems. Nothing special anyway.

Pin Bar - If you like pinball it's a good place to be. Sandwiches are expensive but tasty. Beer isn't cheap but not expensive. Not sure how long the staying power is with this one to be honest. Seems a little bare bones to be a serious long-term play and not just a flavor of the month to tide Concorde over until Local 510 is renovated and rebranded.

Broken City - In the summer the rooftop patio is hard to beat. Other than that...it's not for everybody, but it's amazing for somebody.

Trolley Five - Good for a group and you've reserved a table. Pretty good if you get a summer spot on the railing on the patio for the people watching. They filled a pretty big hole on 17th, so for that reason alone I like the place. But I also wouldn't go outside of a group setting though.

Rose and Crown - To me the most wasted potential of a pub in the city. They charge cover too often for music acts that don't warrant it, that kill the potential to be a chill pub. Better music choices, less cover, and embrace the old pub feel. But that's just me, seems like they're happy with the business they're doing.

Hudson's - Don't care for it, haven't been back in ages, haven't had the urge.

Beer Revolution/Brewsters - Never really cared for Brewsters in the first place, really don't care for their post-reno. I don't mind Beer Revolution but it was always just a stopover place for me, usually walking from Dickens back towards 17th. They benefit from lack of competition.

Jameson's - I've only been a couple times for some group events and it seemed like it turned into a club, which I do not care for. Maybe there's a different vibe on weekdays/nights, I dunno.

I'll hold off the do the more West Connaught places later.

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

I love noisy pubs with lots of good draft beer choices, loud music, lots of screens, good quality finger foods and friendly waitresses.

Well in that case, Trolley Five or Last Best are definitely more your style.


Pig and Duke is fine too, but it's an Oilers-fan-friendly pub, if that matters to you.

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

I love noisy pubs with lots of good draft beer choices, loud music, lots of screens, good quality finger foods and friendly waitresses.

Go to craft then - I can't hear a damn thing in that place.


But that is more of a beer house and not a pub. So you are not allowed to go there or you would insult Corsi because you specifically asked for a pub and not a beer house.

[Swift]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Yes. And it still has a genuine pub atmosphere. On the minus side, the bathrooms are grim, the service indifferent, and the food is execrable. So an authentic English pub experience.

This is true, though I liked the look of the food menu there. Had the haggis looked like a plate of cat #### but it tasted pretty good. I rarely drink anymore, but I have a preference for the British/Irish feeling pubs.

The only Irish pub I've found that feels authentic in this city is the James Joyce. Not what the OP is looking for a nice place for a quiet pint at lunch time or a bit of music on a Saturday night.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

Rose and Crown - To me the most wasted potential of a pub in the city. They charge cover too often for music acts that don't warrant it, that kill the potential to be a chill pub. Better music choices, less cover, and embrace the old pub feel. But that's just me, seems like they're happy with the business they're doing.
.

Pre-renovations (around mid-late 90's) the Rose was a great pub. Your take on it now is bang on.

Originally Posted by Roughneck

Pig and Duke is fine too, but it's an Oilers-fan-friendly pub, if that matters to you.

Let me get my Molotov Cocktail recipe out.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

But since The Ship is obviously the best bar around, I'll try to give some feedback on the other places that haven't really been mentioned....

Thanks for taking the time, man! Much appreciated.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I thought they banned dogs from there?

Unbanned. And from all accounts, more dogs than ever. Which I guess is what happens when you have a unique thing ("dog-friendly!") - the place becomes all about that unique thing.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

Rose and Crown - To me the most wasted potential of a pub in the city. They charge cover too often for music acts that don't warrant it, that kill the potential to be a chill pub. Better music choices, less cover, and embrace the old pub feel. But that's just me, seems like they're happy with the business they're doing.

Went there recently for the first time in about 10 years. Sad what it's become.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Guys, I really don't wanna go to Kensington because of atrocious parking. Thanks though.

Beltline/Downtown only.

If you know where to go, parking is dead easy and cheap. For instance the St. John's on 10th building has an underground CPA public lot that's $2 past 4:00pm. There's also a lot at the end of Kensington Crescent that's public, cheap and always has spots in the evening. Yeah, if you want to park on street right out front of the bar, that's a bit tougher.

[Mass_nerder]

Originally Posted by troutman

Palomino

Seconded.
Great atmosphere, lots of good shows.
Fantastic food.