One of my favourite quirks about Halifax is the number of ridiculous place names you’ll find all over the place. It’s like the city made it mandatory for all its businesses to have a moniker that makes you giggle.
Even more awesome is the fact that almost every native Haligonian I’ve met does not seem to realize how funny these names are, nor do they think them unusual in the slightest. Actually, even the Newfoundland transplants who have lived in Halifax for years don’t even seem to find these places weird anymore. Maybe they never did.
I’ll let you decide.
The Economy Shoe Shop
On my first trip to the city back in ’09, Cailin suggested I go to the Economy Shoe Shop for nachos. It took me awhile to figure out that I wouldn’t actually be going to a discount shoe store, but a popular bar and restaurant.
The Smiling Goat
An itty-bitty organic espresso bar. My first time here, I asked the bartender to create something magical for me, and he did. I don’t know what it was. Just magic.
On my most recent visit, I was working away at my laptop and then I decided to log into FourSquare…only to discover my friend Andy was working just two seats away from me. The world is small. And so is this cafe.
Your Father’s Moustache
I had breakfast at Your Father’s Moustache once. It’s kinda like a “your mom” joke. Or not.
The Foggy Goggle
Actually sits right beside The Economy Shoe Shop. You’ve got a whole wardrobe on one street.
The Bicycle Thief
A ritzy restaurant featuring North American food with Italian soul. I can’t afford to eat there.
The Fickle Frog
This is one of my favourite spots in Halifax, on Spring Garden Road. When I was in the city last March during their absurd heat wave, we sat on the front deck in t-shirts and ordered Caesars. I came back time and time again for cheap drink specials, and some of the best garlic fingers I’ve ever had.
Nothing like deck beers on March 21st!
Wooden Monkey
A restaurant specializing in organic, vegetarian, and vegan foods. It certainly does not serve monkeys.
The Toothy Moose
I kinda hate this dance club, and yet I find myself back here time and time again. The last time, someone got stabbed in the neck with a beer bottle.
Durty Nelly’s
An Irish pub named for a 15th century Bunratty Castle. Should’ve known the Irish were behind this.
Pogue Fado
Another Irish pub, but this one’s name is just really fun to pronounce. THE POGUE!