How to Find a Neighbourhood Pub

Everyone loves to find a place “Where Everybody Knows Your Name”. It gives you warm fuzzies when you walk in the door and the staff greets you by name with a friendly smile. It’s like coming home after a long trip.  However finding said bar/pub can be hard, very, very hard. Believe me, I know! It’s been a couple years since I left Niagara and my favourite bar of all time, The Wild Mushroom. I’ve looked for a new place here in Calgary and it’s taken me a year to find one.

• Atmosphere. I love the feel of pubs, the dark wood, and the warm and cozy feel, all of it. I think it’s partially due to the fact that I love anything worn and old. However the crowd that frequents the pub also makes a difference.  As I get older, I know that my neighbourhood pub needs to have a laid back feel to it. For example, I’ve gone to The Joyce on 4^th- a great pub. But there is a very young, loud crowd that frequents the pub and after awhile it gets on my nerves. I want to come to the pub to relax, not party and hook-up- that’s what clubbing is for.
• Staff- The staff can also make a big difference. I’ve been to pubs where the waitress are friendly enough when taking your order, but that’s about it. I’ve also been to pubs where the staff gets to know your name and use it in a way that makes you feel at home. There is nothing better than walking into your own personal Cheers and having a Norm!! Moment.
• Food- As I mentioned above, a pub is a place to kick back, relax and enjoy. So it’s imperative that they offer yummy food. I love sipping a pint and munching on some nachos or relishing in the fried goodness that is beer-battered fish with homemade chips. However finding a pub with a unique menu (especially in Calgary) can be a challenge. I’ve been to Limerick’s, The Joyce on 4^th and Kilkenny and although they had a pretty good Irish pub atmosphere, their menus are the same. I want a pub that stands on its own merits and food.
• Music- If I’m at an Irish or Scottish Pub, then I want to listen to Irish or Scottish music while I’m there. It adds to the atmosphere. I love pubs that feature local singers. I spent St. Patrick’s Day at the Rose & Crown this year and had a great time, but what made the whole experience for me was the music. They had a singer- Brent Tyler performing Irish tunes (He’s actually a Swed, but he was good!). It was the icing on the cupcake for me.  At The Wild Mushroom in Niagara Falls we listened to great rock tunes, it suited to the bar and added to the patrons experience.

Pubs are not Bars. A bar is a place you go all dressed up to party with your peeps or to pick someone up. A pub is a place you go to relax and genuinely get to know the people around you. You can find a bar anywhere and quite easily. Finding a pub takes time, but when you find it you feel like you’ve found the post of gold at the end of the rainbow.