The Bar Towel

Hey Hamilton 'Towlers, I am going to be seeing The Who at Copps in February, and will be chaperoning my 15 year old nephew. Are there any good beer bars within walking distance to Copps that would be OK to take a minor too before the show?

Really, I gotta question why they selected me as the chaperone but as a long time Who fan I am not going to look a gift horse in the mouth!

There is nothing right beside Copps, but if you're willing to walk a few blocks, I have 3 to suggest.

1) The Brain, 199 James St N. - 5 Taps, all rotating, with a very good bottle menu. It's a funky place with mix-matched furniture, board games, etc. A hipster hole-in-the-wall, if you will. Probably the least kid friendly of the 3, but the one with the best beer selection.

2) Homegrown Hamilton, 27 King William St. - 6 Taps (usually 2 Mill St, 2 Grand River, 1 Wellington, 1 Stone Hammer). This is a funky co-op coffee shop who roast their own coffee. It's the only place to get Grand River's Coffee beer, as it uses Homegrown's coffee. Definitely the most kid friendly of the 3 suggestions as it's a coffee bar first and foremost.

3) Baltimore House, 43 King William St. - 4 Taps (3 Amsterdam (Boneshaker!), 1 Steam Whistle), small but decent bottle selection. This is a combo of the other two places: mix-matched furniture, board games, coffee shop bar, funky without being a hipster dive-bar.

The Winking Judge & The Ship, both on Augusta Street, are the best places in city for craft beer, and they're within walking distance, if you want to walk 20+ min. However neither allow kids, so I only share this information so you know to avoid due to your circumstances.

The Winking Judge & The Ship, both on Augusta Street, are the best places in city for craft beer, and they're within walking distance, if you want to walk 20+ min. However neither allow kids, so I only share this information so you know to avoid due to your circumstances.

They don't allow kids at all? I don't think I've ever seen a pub in ON not allow kids in at all. Is this common??

I'd probably say Homegrown is your best bet simply because fo the coffee house angle. It's the only one I can definitely say that I've seen kids of any age in. Although I have to admit that I've never been in Baltimore House, so I can't comment on it. I've often walked by but never knew they had some craft on tap. Good to know.

rejtable wrote:

The Winking Judge & The Ship, both on Augusta Street, are the best places in city for craft beer, and they're within walking distance, if you want to walk 20+ min. However neither allow kids, so I only share this information so you know to avoid due to your circumstances.

They don't allow kids at all? I don't think I've ever seen a pub in ON not allow kids in at all. Is this common??

Yeah, I could be wrong... I was thinking of the sign on the outside of the Judge, but it says no one under 21 on Friday & Saturday's, I think. Nonetheless, neither are really kid friendly even if kids are allowed.

Hmm, other than the owner 's elemenatary school aged daughter who is there every afternoon doing homework on her computer. And my expanding group of friends who bring in their infants & toddlers to say 'Hi' to the community; and the others who bring in their dogs... No it's simply not welcoming to anyone other than serious drinkers.

I just wish the tap list was a bit more hoppy recently!

But yes, if you come in after dark it's probably not a great environment for children, or me either for that matter ha ha. I usually only go to the judge after work and before the big party hours.

I've taken my teenage kids to the Judge

Streets wrote:Hmm, other than the owner 's elemenatary school aged daughter who is there every afternoon doing homework on her computer. And my expanding group of friends who bring in their infants & toddlers to say 'Hi' to the community; and the others who bring in their dogs... No it's simply not welcoming to anyone other than serious drinkers.

Sorry for trying to be helpful and give my opinion... You're sarcasm is much more useful to the discussion.

Just to jump in - it's probably like a lot of other places - C'est What, for example - no one under 21 unless accompanied by an adult. And C'est What's a pretty welcoming place for kids and babies.

The only time I've ever seen a restaurant/pub blatantly say kids are unwelcome is at a otherwise decent pub that I won't name that's just west of the Ceili on Queen.

A few weeks after they opened the put a pissy little sign on the door about how it was a "adult space". Fine with me, but I haven't gone back since.

There are beer bars where I won't necessarily take my kids - increasingly volo - not a criticism, they're just changing the style of the place and it's not necessarily the best "fit" for kids any more.

And there are certainly times when I won't take them to bars, of course. But the funny thing about the above mentioned pub is that it's actually a rather largish cozy place with decent food that actually would be perfect for families.

Like I say, a business can say what they want with who's welcome and not, and best of luck to them, but I won't be there.

My kids dig the mac and cheese and kettle chips and the Ceili, anyway!

Let's try to give some respect to all options, this includes places that are adult-oriented. A variety of options is a win win.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/10/19 ... ree-zones/

I think there definitely is a place for adult oriented establishments. And I'm more than happy to give them business.

Thanks for the suggestions. There are certainly plenty of places where I wouldn't dream of taking my daughter but there are a few places that I will trend towards because I know it is an environment I am comfortable having her in. I wouldn't take her to Volo, too crowded and it is a specialized atmosphere but C'est What is wide open and with the fish tank and board gAmes it seems an acceptable place for a young one. By the time I get off work, get to Hamilton pick up my nephew and get downtown, it is unlikely we will have time to stop anywhere anyways but if we get a chance we may. I missed most of the opening act when we saw The Who at the ACC in the fall and the bit I did hear makes me want to get there a bit earlier this time.

Anyone who is up on Sunday mornings might want to listen to CFRB1010's trivia show. We've been to a dozen good concerts over the past three years all for free by winning on Sunday mornings. Lots of other goodies too ( including a Muskoka Brewery prize basket )

Thanks again for the tips. Sadly I arrived too late to have a beer before the show but we had a great time none the less. What a fantastic performance!

ill be in Hamilton this Sunday from 3 til 5, trying to avoid the st paddys bar scene

any suggestions?

matt7215 wrote:trying to avoid the st paddys bar scene

Could be tricky. The newest addition, The Stowaway, might be a decent option. It's pretty new so a lot of people still don't know about it, and I hear it's bigger than expected. I might go check it out for the first time tonight. Hamilton will one day be the capital of the world when it comes to nautical-themed craft beer bars.

The Ship & Judge are likely write-offs due to being on Augusta, although maybe if you get there early enough...

Turns out the Stowaway doesn't open until 5pm, despite what their website says.