The Hamilton Bar Scene: Clubs

"The Hamilton Bar Scene: Clubs", August 2007

No university town is complete without a local bar scene. Hamilton is full of clubs if that is where you want to spend your free time (and money!) on weekends. I have compiled a list of some of the more popular both inside Hess village and out for you to peruse.

Liquid Kitty
This martini bar is one of the many locales that features live music as well as a big dance floor. Liquid Kitty is geared towards a more mature clientele, although there are no specific age limit other than the obvious nineteen and older. The club is attached to the restaurant Tailgate Charlies, which boasts good food. The duo is located on John Street. You can find more information about both here: http://www.tailgatecharlies.ca/

Elixir
Nicely renovated only a year ago, Elixir is one of the more popular clubs in Hamilton. Located in the middle of Hess, Elixir features mostly hip hop, rap, reggae and reggaeton. There are two patios and an inside dance floor. Drinks are well-priced and the sound system is good. For the past several years, Elixir has had all-ages nights, which are perfect if you are not of legal drinking age and still want to party.

Funky Monkey
This three-story club recently celebrated its seventh birthday this summer. Each floor has a different DJ and slightly different music, but like its fellow street-mate Elixir, plays a variety of reggaeton, hip hop, rap and reggae. Drinks are also well-priced. My personal complaint with this club is that it’s always EXTREMELY hot and sweaty, and there are also creepy forty year old men who like to hit on you. Funky’s website is: http://www.funkymunky.ca/.

Seventy Seven
Located on King William Street, 77 is a popular Hamilton hotspot. Having lots of feature nights throughout the year probably assists in their popularity, with events such as foam parties and an annual Halloween costume party. In my opinion, 77 has the best sound system out of any of the Hamilton clubs. Their Freedom Fridays cater to Mac and Mohawk students, and they play house on Saturdays. Additionally, they have an optional VIP bottle reservation service. For more info check out their website: http://www.seventyseven.ca/

Side Bar
Great prices! Side bar, unlike many of the other clubs in Hess has a more casual atmosphere. The club features live music and an upstairs gaming lounge.

Dirty Dogs
Unfortunately, I still have not checked this place out, but I have heard some awesome stories. With a bar based on the film Coyote Ugly, there is dancing on top of the bar by both the bartenders and patrons. There is also a nightly mechanical bullriding contest. Open only on Fridays, drinks are well priced, and it is always busy. It is located on Catherine Street, beside the Underground. http://www.dirtydogsaloon.ca/

Barcode Nightclub
There is nowhere else in the city that is open until 5AM on Saturdays. The club believes that they are the only house club in Hamilton. I don’t know how 77 feels about that, though. With a newly renovated outdoor patio, you can listen to music in the main room as well as dance and see the sky. $2 before midnight. Listen to them online at: http://www.myspace.com/barcodenightclub

Quarters
Last but certainly not least is Quarters. You can’t forget McMaster’s own campus club! Operating on Thursday and Saturday nights, Quarters is always busy. With $2 drinks before 11PM, you can’t go wrong, and cover is not expensive. It is also a really quick trip home if you live on campus or in the surrounding Westdale area. If you’re eighteen you can come on these nights, provided you have your student card and additional ID. But don’t try and drink underage; if you do so you will be banned for over a year. It’s not worth the risk. Be sure to check out their newly renovated look!

Billy Bobs
For those of us who remember: we miss you. RIP William Roberts.