Caesars fit for an emperor in Halifax
The Caesar is a true Canadian classic invented in a Calgary hotel in the 1960s. But this beloved Canuck cocktail is just as popular in Halifax as it is on the Prairies. The vodka flows freely, the Clamato juice is plentiful and there’s lots of pepper to go around. From downtown to the North End, sally forth and seek your perfect Caesar.
Tom's Little Havana
5428 Doyle St, Halifax, NS B3J 4A8Located in a space that is classically Old World and formerly filled with what felt like very appropriate smoke, Tom’s Little Havana will soon be moving; fingers crossed the old vibe moves, too. On a dark and stormy night, it’s the perfect space to seek comfort in a Caesar. They are just the perfect thickness here, with a spicy bite. Add one to brunch on the weekend for a small extra charge.
Durty Nelly's Irish Pub
Argyle, Halifax, NS B3J 3P8Durty Nelly’s calls itself an authentic Irish pub, and it does feature the requisite decor: a dark wood bar, leather stools and lights that look as if they could be gas lit. If you’re a Caesar aficionado, this is a must-stop shop: on the weekends it transforms itself into a “Caesar bar.” You can build your own or the friendly bartender will prepare one for you. Whichever you choose, complement your drink with grub from the classic pub menu.
The Brooklyn Warehouse
2795 Windsor St, Halifax, NS B3K 5E3The Brooklyn Warehouse is a star of the North End dining scene, and the ingenuity and skill underlying its reputation are fully evident in its “Wasabi Caesar,” which is made with shochu and has a distinctly delicious dryness not found in other Halifax Caesars. Relax in the warm, orangey tones of the dining room, and pair your Caesar with a burger or any of the bar’s many other fine pub-grub options.
Your Father's Moustache
5686 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax, NS B3J 1H5The patio of Your Father’s Moustache is a classic Halifax destination – it’s a great, bustling spot to refresh yourself with a Caesar on a warm summer day. If the weather is not cooperating, take a seat inside with a view overlooking Spring Garden Road. Here the energetic staff do a variation on the Caesar that will leave your mouth singing: the Bacardi lemon Caesar has that peppery, Clamato taste with a surge of lemon.
Bitter End Martini Bar & Restaurant
1572 Argyle St, Halifax, NS B3J 2B3The Bitter End, located on Argyle Street’s competitive bar strip, stands out for its cosy, moody atmospherics: a brick wall hung with large mirrors, exposed piping and candles on the tables. Though the Caesar described on its menu is made in the traditional way – and made very well – the bartenders here are nimble and imaginative, and will do their best to create the custom Caesar that lingers in your cocktail imagination.
Gus' Pub & Grill
2605 Agricola St, Halifax, NS B3K 4C7Gus’s Pub is a standby on Agricola – a great place to go dancing, see a band, play trivia, grab a burger or cure your hangover with a peppery Caesar. The vibe is laid-back and welcoming, and the coloured-lights strung along the walls project a retro glow. The Caesars here burst with flavour – garnished with shrimp, a pickle and plenty of pepper, they’re sure to please the most discerning of palettes. Have a delicious Ace Burger while you’re at it.
Edna Restaurant
2053 Gottingen St, Halifax, NS B3K 3B2A wonderful edition to the Halifax dining scene since its opening in 2013, Edna has become known for its stylish cuisine and equally stylish decor. Once you get there, sidle up to the bar, or take a seat at the large communal wooden table. One of the anchors of Gottingen Street, it’s a great place to people watch as you drink in the oyster bloody Caesar, a spicy Caesar with a shucked oyster on top.
