Must-see nightlife in Nova Scotia

  • Stilwell

    Halifax

    A massive, wall-size chalkboard of brews from across Canada and beyond (all with a handwritten description and each delivered through a brass tap) gives…

  • Lot Six

    Halifax

    The soaring glass atrium that floods the room with light adds an extra touch of class to this slinky cocktail joint, which mostly crafts its own mixes but…

  • Good Robot

    Halifax

    This new North End microbrewery has become known for its wild beers: you might taste a watermelon-and-kiwi fruit Pink Flamingo, a coffee-and-cherry-pie…

  • Breton Brewing

    Cape Breton Island

    The top place around Sydney for a beer is the taproom of this up-and-coming brewery, run by local beer masters. You can watch the brewing process while…

  • Tatamagouche Brewing Co

    Nova Scotia

    Tata's beloved brewery now has a Nova Scotia–wide reputation, and for good reason: its beers are world-class. The lagers and session ales in particular…

  • Battery Park Beerbar & Eatery

    Nova Scotia

    The best place for a brew in Dartmouth, this industrially styled beer bar has 20 taps, plus a super menu of snacky food such as burgers, chicken skewers,…

  • Chain Yard Urban Cidery

    Halifax

    Craving a change from the craft-beer tsunami in Halifax? No sweat: head for the city's only craft cidery, with wares made from 100% Nova Scotia apples…

  • Heritage Brewing Co

    Nova Scotia

    Founded in 2017, this brewery has fast become Yarmouth's drinking venue of choice, with a range of core ales supplemented by guest ales from around Nova…

  • Garrison Brewing Company

    Halifax

    A grandaddy of the Halifax brewing scene, Garrison is down by the waterfront in an impressive warehouse space full of upturned beer barrels and scuffed…

  • Propeller Brewing Company

    Halifax

    In the first wave of Halifax microbreweries, Propeller is still leading the way with its consistently good beers: the core range includes a pilsner, a…

  • Henry House

    Halifax

    Solid as a brick, this National Historic Site is one of the city's best surviving examples of the Halifax House, a 19th-century stone style developed by…

  • Stilwell Beer Garden

    Halifax

    The outdoor offshot of Stilwell, this popular urban beer garden serves a huge range of beers, plus killer hot dogs and pretzels. The 'garden' tag is a bit…

  • Rare Bird

    Nova Scotia

    The first man to set up a brewery in Guysborough was Nicolas Denys, way back in 1659, and the beer-heads at Rare Bird are proud to continue that legacy…

  • Middle Spoon Desserterie & Bar

    Halifax

    One for those late-night sweet cravings: a cocktail bar that also serves ice-cream sundaes and sinful desserts such as lemon pavlova, peanut-butter pie…

  • Fo'c'sle

    Nova Scotia

    Dubbing itself 'Chester's Living Room', this ramshackle pub is a lively place to rub shoulders with the locals. There's been a pub of some sort on this…

  • Tom's Little Havana

    Halifax

    Craft beers, game nights, Scotch nights and a daily happy hour (5pm to 8pm) make Tom's feel like an extension of the living room at your best mate's place.

  • Big Spruce Brewing

    Cape Breton Island

    Pop into this farmyard brewery, about 14km southwest of Baddeck, to grab a growler of unfiltered, unpasteurized, 'unbelievably good', locally brewed beer.

  • Two Islands Brewing

    Nova Scotia

    This newly opened microbrewery has four core ales: a blonde, an Irish red, a porter and an American pale ale. It also runs a small cafe next door.

  • Harbour House

    Nova Scotia

    A pleasant portside watering hole that has lots of Nova Scotian ales to try, plus basic pub dishes. Opening hours can be a little erratic.

  • Doryman Pub & Grill

    Cape Breton Island

    This is the joint to swing by for live fiddle and piano sessions every Saturday (2pm to 6pm), and live entertainment most weeknights.

  • Saltbox Brewing Company

    Nova Scotia

    Mahone Bay's very own small-batch craft brewery has a taproom where you can try all the latest brews.

  • Perky Owl Coffee

    Nova Scotia

    Pop into the Perky Owl for a caffeine pick-me-up or something sweet and sticky for the road.

  • Economy Shoe Shop

    Halifax

    Serving drinks since 1995, this bar is a total mishmash of styles: it's part bric-a-brac store, part Gothic castle (stained glass, arches, wrought-iron…

  • Hide & Seek

    Halifax

    This multistory club caters to 20- and 30-somethings with VIP booths, bottle service and resident DJs.

  • Durty Nelly's

    Halifax

    Pints of Guinness and Celtic tunes attract plenty of weekend drinkers to this Irish-inspired pub.

  • Celtic Corner

    Nova Scotia

    Classic town pub with an Irish vibe, regular live music, and Kilkenny and Guinness on tap.

  • Old Triangle

    Halifax

    A solid downtown pub with an Irish flavor. There's often live music at weekends.

  • Reflections Cabaret

    Halifax

    A mainly gay disco with occasional drag shows, comedy and party nights.