BARHOP

Looking back, I should’ve planned the night better. Barhop on a Friday night is packed even at 8pm. I thought we would hit the sweet spot between after dinner rush and pre bar hoppers, this was not the case. Every table was packed, along with all the bar seats and basically every square feet had a person. I wanted to try their drink menu though so we put a name down on the chalkboard and made ourselves as comfortable as we could with half a ledge and two stools between the five of us.

Their drink menu is extensive with 30+ beers on tap, 2 cask beers and pages and pages of canned/bottled choices. There’s also a wide selection of gluten-free ciders and seasonal drinks. I went with a flight of four 5oz samples before settling on pints of a Belgian pale ale. Our server was helpful with recommendations and patiently waited while we were overwhelmed by the selection. All of our drinks arrived quickly and we did eventually get some seats by the front window.

Barhop’s a lot cosier and relaxed than the other beer “gastropubs” in town. It would be easy to spend a night exploring their menu or enjoying hard to find favourites. Go early though, because those tables are golden and it seemed like most patrons settle in early for the night. They also have mussel specials on Mondays and $1 shuck oyster nights on Tuesdays.