Halifax Alehouse image

Halifax Alehouse

Restaurant Bar

Spacious, energetic joint offering tavern eats, a full bar & live bands in a historic building. People often mention staff, bouncers, service, Halifax, night, good, recommend, experience, customers, establishment,


Address

1717 Brunswick St, Halifax, NS B3J 2G1, Canada

Website

halifaxalehouse.com

Contact

+1 902-423-6113

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

3.50 (936 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 4 pm to 3:30 am
  • Thursday: 4 pm to 3:30 am
  • Friday: 4 pm to 3:30 am
  • Saturday: 4 pm to 3:30 am
  • Sunday: 4 pm to 3:30 am
  • Monday: 4 pm to 3:30 am
  • Tuesday: 4 pm to 3:30 am

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: staff (18) bouncers (12) service (12) Halifax (11) night (11) good (9) recommend (8) experience (8) customers (8) establishment (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Jack M. 1 year ago on Google
    Bouncers will be extremely agressive and even choke you to death (December 23rd, 2022) for being even mildly drunk. Complete waste of an establishment that is fine with pushing the aggression and reckless actions of their bouncers under the rug.
    67 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Tyler D. 1 year ago on Google
    Rude and improperly trained bouncing staff. Was approached shortly after entering and told they needed to speak to our small group. We complied and followed only to find ourselves outside beyond the line waiting to figure out what was going on when we were told “one of the members of our party (of five) were seen by staff ‘grabbing someone’ and were no longer permitted to return”. Said member of our party was our DD and numerous other patrons who were in immediate vicinity of our group confirmed to the staff there’d been no issue, but to no avail. As an out of town group experiencing Halifax nightlife, this bar staff is rather laughable and charging $12/head near criminally. The only positive is after reading a few other recent reviews, that this didn’t escalate into something physical. Absolute joke of a staff and wouldn’t recommend wasting the outrageously overpriced entry cover charge to anyone in a town that seems to have a plethora of nightlife options
    54 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Josh S. 1 year ago on Google
    I was having an amazing night with some of the best live music I’ve heard in a while. All was good until our waitress approached us after we just finished our meal and said she was leaving and was bringing us our bill. After we paid, the waitress came back to our table to explain that if we don’t tip, the money comes out of her pay check. We were confused as we already had tipped for all of our orders. We didn’t know what she was talking about but we gave her an extra 10 dollars on top of our already combined $210+ bill. Needless to say, we were very confused. As students, and fellow customer service workers, we were stunned at this behaviour. After such a shocking experience I doubt any of us will be back.
    32 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Dylan M. 1 year ago on Google
    Not a fan of a pub/bar that has bar tenders that go manic and choke their patrons.. this isn’t even the first time for people reading this.. give google a search of all the cbc and ctv new articles on deaths happening outside AND in. Will never do business here.
    29 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Tom C. 1 year ago on Google
    Attempted to pay for a drink. Was told it would take too long to pay by card. Bartender said I could either leave my credit card or pay cash. I wanted to do neither but left my card. Was told they’d give it back in 10minutes. Never got it back. Went back the next day, they had lost it. Reported card stolen and had to replace.
    29 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Amanpreet B. 1 year ago on Google
    Pathetic service. They charged us for entry fee in cash. Let us in and left unattended for 20 min. We had to call them for service. Discovered the kitchen closes at 10, which was not informed before. The waitress was arrogant and asked to check everything before we come. We left, no refunds for $8 per person given in cash.
    27 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Ash T. 1 year ago on Google
    My boyfriend and I just left the Alehouse, and what a disappointment. The drinks were watered down, and took forever to come and we were the only people downstairs. We also ordered doubles and there is no way either of our drinks were doubles, didnt even taste like a single. It was FREEZING, when you're charging $15.50 for each watered down drink you'd think theyd have a bit of money to spend on heaters. The poor waitresses said they stand out back and use a mini space heater to try keep their hands warm. The only thing we did enjoy was looking at all the old wood. Don't say we'll be back unfortunately.
    25 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 bri 1 year ago on Google
    Food was usually good going, the live music at night is really good. The staff are a bit hostile at times, especially the bouncers, a little too much aggressive force used. After seeing how someone was killed by the bouncer I can say I’m not surprised by how I’ve personally seen the bouncers act. Reading reviews from several months ago about bouncers, you’d assume the establishment would have done something before someone was killed. Clearly they support violence/hostility. Will probably never be back and cannot recommend going here.
    23 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 JZ D. 1 year ago on Google
    How a place like this still exists and hasn’t been shut down by lawsuits is beyond me. Bouncers here are incredibly confrontational and aggressive and ruin any type of good experience one could have here. Bouncers here have been recorded brutally beating customers up on multiple occasions. For your own safety, stay away!
    17 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Brittany S. 1 year ago on Google
    Value life? Don’t take a chance here then. Don’t believe me? Read the reviews here. It’s not a one off and not on ‘unruly’ patrons. It’s shocking to see how people raised concern for the bouncers excessive - and then Ryan Sawyers life was tragically taken far too early as a result of (you guessed it) bouncers. There is nothing worth supporting here. In support of the Sawyers, and many others whose lives have changed for the worse because of this dumpster fire
    15 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Aidan L. 6 months ago on Google
    Visited from out of province. Bar staff are meh. They come off as kind but as soon as an issue arises their customer service and hospitality goes out the window. We had several mixed shots on our bill. Was charged double for every shot (every 1oz shot came at the price of 2). When trying to clarify and rectify bill the bar staff treated my friends and I like trash and threatened to have security remove us. 0/10 recommend. Hopefully a member of their security staff doesn’t murder another patron.
    13 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Michael T. 7 months ago on Google
    An establishment that treats their customers without respect or dignity. Used to be a fun place to go back a year or two ago, then there was a bit of a culture shift. Since then the business has had to defend against multiple assault cases their bouncers committed on to paying customers, one of these incidents resulted in a customer being left to die out in the streets. Unethical business practices, lack of accountability for the actions of their employees, disrespectful and dangerous treatment towards customers, and a lack of acknowledgment for the impact their staffs’ actions have had in literally tearing apart families, are all reasons why I and many other young people of Halifax no longer feel safe visiting this establishment. Bars, pubs, and clubs should be places for friends and strangers alike to get together and have fun. I don’t know when or how this idea escalated to people losing their lives, but it is not the kind of business I want to or am proud to see in my city. Businesses should service their customers, not prey upon them and take no accountability when there is a family out there who has lost a loved one, and the establishment has denied any responsibility in court, despite it being their trained staff who caused a man to lose his life. Out of respect for the family who lost a loved one, and those who have suffered serious injury due to the culture this establishment promotes, I will no longer be visiting this establishment. Truly a sad turn of events for what used to be such a fun place.
    11 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Dominic C. 1 year ago on Google
    Visiting Halifax this summer. Heard for years stories about the Halifax "Roadhouse". Many colleagues and acquaintances have gone to either visit one of the oldest pubs in Canada (built 1893), or to see if the stories are true. Loving old pubs myself, I was greatly intrigued and will be staying nearby. However, alas all the rumours and stories I've heard turns out to be frighteningly true. A few years back I heard during a comic convention, whereby a group decided to go the Halifax Alehouse, although it started pleasant in the early-evening, that changed quickly by 10:30PM apparently, not only were they given attitude, poor service, billed for items they did not order after dinner, but security was inappropriate and intimidating towards the patrons. None of my associates felt safe. When attempting to leave and settle the bill, one bouncer told them to tip well but they wanted to tip the server directly who helped them all evening, and not the new one who simply delivered the bill. One of my colleagues assumed this staff was involved with the bouncer, as he was taunted outside the toilet by the same bouncer, outside having a cigarette, both times with the bill server (not the one who actually attended to their orders), and was followed a few yards outside by two others which they stopped as the group walked towards a patrolman. Now, Pubs in any downtown core will have issues like these weekly. I myself, have worked the door in college. However, I recognize the tribal mentality that lingers within those circles and once a "death" is involved, and no disciplinary action is followed, they'll be escalation. I've seen establishments "run" by Security and that can lead towards other worse kinds of shadow "management". In this case, I have no interest to ever visit this long standing institution as it no longer appears safe when the greatest threat (with no bragging or reason to gloat) is the Security Staff. Now with a plethora of negative, yet consistent and trending behaviour, we can get our standard pub grub and Guinness pints elsewhere without the risk of intimidation, harassments, alpha maleness, bullying, and potential assault. Now we can say it's a case of bad apples, sadly there's always the main bear, and the others are just windup grumps. having worked pubs, bars, events as security in my youth, there is always the few that just wants to start $#!T for no reason, and will continue to milk their bad habits either due to nepotism, transactions, exchanges or ego. Worst part is how they groom both their fellow bouncers and serving staff. Nothing but horror stories about this place. Was curious but have absolutely no interest ever to visit and my colleagues share the same sentiment. That's why it's nicknamed "Halifax Roadhouse", because it's like that Patrick Swayze movie, accept... the bouncers... are not "nice, until it's time to not be nice", they're just not nice. Just not a safe place to be it seems. Visit at your own discretion I was told. Pity. So close to the Scotiabank convention centre too. :-(
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 carly l. 1 year ago on Google
    If you value your personal safety look elsewhere. Too many terrible things have happened at this bar to just brush it away now. Halifax is an amazing city, go somewhere else to enjoy it.
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Steph V. 9 months ago on Google
    Worst experience I’ve ever had. Bouncers are horrible, unprofessional and unfriendly to say the least. Atmosphere is ‘sketchy’ for lack of a better word. Crowd that attends makes you feel uneasy. Food lacks taste and quality. There are so many other bars you can attend in Halifax, I recommend going elsewhere.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 shan m. 11 months ago on Google
    I was alehouse last night with my friends and I came in today asking is there any chance if they could check if they seen my jacket which I left last night . Two of the door guys/ bouncer basically snapped at me and telling I was so drunk last night and they couldn’t help me . Which is not a fair for a customer coming asking for the jacket . I work at hospitality industry and what I am taught is have the pride at work and customer is the king. From my side if I am going out that means I have to make I have a good time and get drunk as much if possible after having a long week . And I do only on weekends. Even I was not cut for the bartender or anything. So basically does the bouncers or door guys decides nowadays what to drink ?? And how much drinks ?? WHO probably doesn’t even have a smart serve or anything. I never had this much bad experience from any bar .
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Oscar J. 6 months ago on Google
    The service is very bad, they didn't even bring us the menu. We had not finished eating and they were charging us. The customer service is very unhelpful. The place is very nice, but the service is horrible. The food is ok, following a standard of any bar. I do not recommend it.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Brit P. 6 months ago on Google
    Service is TERRIBLE. Scammy business that is always trying to sneak extra charges onto patrons bills. They also charge you cover to get in but act super inconvenienced when they're actually expected to serve you. Worst experience I've ever had at a bar in my life. The bouncers also love to assault and literally MURDER patrons. Alex and Matthew in particular are extremely violent, and I've seen them stepping on people's necks multiple occasions!!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Hank V. 7 months ago on Google
    Worst fish and chips I ever had, the fish was completely cold. Fries were great. Was expecting much better , but very disappointed. Not recommended if you want fis and chips.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Julia W. 10 months ago on Google
    Ale house charged us $8 even though no one was there and we later found out that people are boycotting because one of their employees unalived someone. And the staff was not welcoming. Very disappointed for a tourist.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Femina 1 year ago on Google
    Had veggie nachos & veggie burger 🍔. Nachos were overcooked but overall I had a wonderful experience with my friends.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bradley S. 6 years ago on Google
    Great Thursday night, with an amazing live music band. Had some really attentive servers and great selection of beer. $16 for a pitcher of Keith's and a party order of nachos. Will be back again
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Matthew B. 4 months ago on Google
    Don’t ever go here. You couldn’t give me any amount of money in the World to make me want to go back there. The owners and the staff are the absolute worst. I wouldn’t be surprised if this place was shut down for good and very soon.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Mairi 3 months ago on Google New
    Violent bouncers, fraudulent bartenders and overpriced drinks. There is an outrageous surcharge for credit and debit purchases. I would say the only good thing about this place is that it’s open late but I genuinely think it should be closed permanently.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Nuahs C. 2 years ago on Google
    Was a fun night out band was good and enjoyed the music. Cover was $12 and the arm had a service charge of $3. Even the debit to buy a beer had a service charge🤷🏻‍♂️
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Jessica F. 3 months ago on Google New
    Place is crawling with rodents. Was there and hour and seen 10. Waitress thought it was funny and named him garth . (Yes it’s downtown halifax but get a black box lol ) Food was awful. Spinch dip was green garlic powder soup. Nachos cold and drinks were NOT doubles . Make sure you tip regardless of all of this or the waiter will make a scene . —10/10 do not recommend.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mary G. 4 years ago on Google
    Great atmosphere and staff vfc very helpful and friendly. When they say they have the best seafood chowder around they are right. Chowder was amazing, packed with seafood. Definitely recommend eating here if in the area. Well worth it!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lillian K. 1 year ago on Google
    The atmosphere in here is buzzing with festivity! Everyone was ready to dance along to the live music and have a great time! make sure to check if there's a cover to get in, ours was $12 but it was totally worth and the drinks were cheap. I wouldn't want to try the food here but I'd definitely go back!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Adam D. 2 years ago on Google
    Popped in for Wing Night last night with some buddies. Our server was awesome, she was fast, friendly and attentive. The wing night deal is absolutely amazing, easily the best one in Halifax. The wings were hot and tasty, and the beer was cold, what else do you want! Ale house is a staple in the Halifax Bar scene, and is definitely a must try place if you're visiting from out of town
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Schad F. 1 year ago on Google
    Very relaxed venue for pregame before dinner or getting together with friends!

  • 5/5 Cody 1 year ago on Google
    Great time. We were the ones who had deadlocks. Thanks for being the awesome Alehouse that you are. Great music awesome people. (We are coming back on labour day weekend. Ya better be ready)

  • 1/5 Nate 6 months ago on Google
    this bar has a lengthy Wikipedia page, and not for the right reasons. the bouncer staff could more adequately be described as a farm system for Burnside Correctional.

  • 1/5 Amanda S. 2 years ago on Google
    My friend had proof of 2 vaccines from EU. We waited patiently for 45 minutes in line, got to front, only to be turned away. He literally could not have travelled to Canada without 2 vaccines but yet gets turned away from this bar, last night of the trip with no other hassle during his stay. So disheartening and staff were overwhelmingly rude. Will not go back and can not recommend with so many other great alternatives in the city. Shame on you Alehouse!

  • 4/5 Lorne G. 2 years ago on Google
    Great spot. Best wings and 3rd degree hot sauce !!

  • 1/5 Breanne S. 2 years ago on Google
    The worst place we’ve been to in Halifax. We waited at least 5 minutes at the door for someone to even acknowledge us and confirm that we could sit outside. The waitress didn’t bring menus and could list maybe three beers on the menu. I asked for something that would suit my taste and got no recommendations. She brought us our drinks and the machine to pay, clearly not wanting us to stick around. What a terrible way to end our night.

  • 1/5 Roger S. 2 years ago on Google
    Wanted to go out for wings. When we walked in there was about 4 staff behind the bar. No one acknowledged us. We had our vaccine records and ID ready. After awkwardly standing there for a bit someone told us to sit anywhere. We grabbed a seat and looked at the online menu. Sat at the table for 10 minutes and no one acknowledged us. There was one other couple in the whole place. Staff were sitting at the bar on their cell phones and let looking at us. Felt like an inconvenience so we left. Super disappointed.

  • 1/5 Don S. 3 months ago on Google New
    The interior is gross, the bar smells, the bartenders are thief’s and will not give you the right change. And if you call them out on it they yell for security to “escort” you out. And these security have a history of putting their hands on customers and injure them. One even died last year from what I read. Not a welcoming place. If I was the owner, no one at the bar would have a job if that’s the kind of service that is being offered to paying customers. Embarrassing! How is this bar still in business with there “style” of business practices??? Do better Alehouse! Any person who comes up to me for bar recommendations, I will tell them any bar other than the Alehouse. I would feel neglected sending anyone to a bar where bartenders steal from customers and security try to injure patrons.

  • 2/5 Morley W. 2 years ago on Google
    The two stars are for the waitress. Which was almost the only nice part of our experience. The wings were good. But our meals were horrible. My husband and I had the maple chicken sandwich which was tasteless and way way over cooked. My sisters had the fish and chips which were also rubbery and awful. The fries tasted like they had been fried hours before and then just thrown in a fryer before they were served. And to add to the awful experience it was way overpriced. Would never go back!


Call +1 902-423-6113 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Food
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Dancing
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Food at bar
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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