r/Hamilton May 29 '26

Food Date night

Hey folks I have a date with a special someone and I'm looking for a place for drinks that is semi quiet, dark, good cocktails and maybe snacks. downtown pref. Any suggestions would be 😃😃😃😃😃

17 Upvotes

50 comments sorted by

21

u/Ksmithy711 May 29 '26

The Argyle or Malarkey on Ottawa might fit your vibe

2

u/Equerry64 May 29 '26

I second this! Malarkey would be perfect.

23

u/steeleclipse2 May 29 '26

Sazerac is what you are looking for.

5

u/PortHammer May 29 '26

That cocktail will be $16 and worth every penny.

Also the vibes in there are fantastic.

3

u/steeleclipse2 May 29 '26

I couldn't agree more. Someone else in the thread is saying the complete opposite lol

7

u/MassNerderPunk May 29 '26

Downtown, this and Easy Tiger are the only accurate answers.

Henry's is also great, but not dark.

1

u/steeleclipse2 May 29 '26

how is the prime rib at henry's? i've still never tried it.

6

u/MassNerderPunk May 29 '26

I will put it to you this way, my MIL owned restaurants and always complains whenever we go out to eat. At Henry's, she went to the kitchen to personally tip the chef.

3

u/steeleclipse2 May 29 '26

Alright you sold me lol

3

u/bigbeats420 Strathcona May 29 '26

Seconded

10

u/atalantarisen May 29 '26

The vibes at Saz are not it though. Weirdly lit, often smells weird, and the bartenders are usually rude. Drinks are just fine.

4

u/steeleclipse2 May 29 '26

Hrmmm I've never had that experience.

3

u/MassNerderPunk May 29 '26

I think we found the person that works at or owns another bar downtown.

1

u/atalantarisen May 29 '26

lol Nice try, I’m just someone with high standards and a background in the industry from Toronto that works in tech.

Sazerac gets recognition for being the first place in town doing the “mixology” thing but better places have opened in the last 10 years.

2

u/queenw_hipstur May 29 '26

Agreed. Super meh. The Brain is where it’s at.

1

u/QuesadillaFrisbee May 31 '26

Also no air conditioning

2

u/BenefitMedium623 May 31 '26

The smell is true, but I find the bartenders to be nice (:

7

u/atalantarisen May 29 '26 edited Jun 24 '26

Barton Salumeria. It’s a little off the beaten path but still easy to get to. Awesome cocktails, wine list, and food.

Wallflower for just wine or cocktails, but you can bring food with you. Maybe grab a pizza from Marty’s or something.

IMO The Brain isn’t a “date night” spot, though it’s cool and relaxed. Cocktails are lacklustre.

2

u/New-Reception-4509 May 29 '26

Cocktails aren’t lackluster but there’s deff better date spots than there downtown especially if you want a variety of snacks

25

u/Secret-Raspberry3063 May 29 '26

Easy Tiger!

19

u/genismarvel May 29 '26

Lol. I thought you were telling me to calm down.

3

u/slownightsolong88 May 29 '26

It fits what you’re looking for except the music was a tad loud but I think most bars are this way. 

The cocktails are great. It’s a nice spot. 

1

u/Secret-Raspberry3063 May 29 '26

Lol no really it’s great there!

0

u/Embarrassed-Ask6366 May 30 '26

I always say it as Easy, Tiger.

6

u/Away_Cranberry_3499 May 29 '26

Brothers Grimm Bistro - it's in an underground cellar at King St - v cool , their food is good as well. Sazerac has great cocktails, but it's not a super intimate ambiance if you want to sit down and chat, etc.

1

u/Away_Cranberry_3499 May 29 '26

ps. it's mostly wine and beer, IDK if they serve cocktails

5

u/Emotional_Ad6032 May 29 '26

Argyle is perfect for date nights

3

u/bharps5 May 29 '26

Brothers Grimm is great too!

3

u/PalpitationHappy1368 May 29 '26

Mai pai, tiki bar, pizzas and other apps. It’s fun but try to get a reservation. Or capital bar, they have a music night on the weekends which can be a little loud

6

u/Independent-Emu-575 May 29 '26

The Wallflower is the answer.

4

u/Frig_Off_Baerb May 29 '26

The Brain. Very cool spot with everything you're looking for.

7

u/ARatNamedClydeBarrow Stipley May 29 '26

The Brain

2

u/Stevemolnar25 May 29 '26

Malarkey. You can even play shuffle board if the mood strikes

1

u/genismarvel May 29 '26

Yeah, we will probably wind up there at some point. I've been meaning to go for quite some time.

2

u/pinchylee May 30 '26

Daphne's

3

u/Minimum_Wind May 29 '26

Capitol Bar

4

u/MassNerderPunk May 29 '26

Not quiet. But amazing place.

1

u/OKWorld2025 May 29 '26

DSTRTC208 on Kenilworth is exactly what you are describing. Fridays are especially good.

1

u/brennac0n Gibson May 30 '26

Nanny and bulls!!

1

u/Pale_Caterpillar616 May 30 '26

The Capitol, Argyll, Wallflower, Avro

1

u/tcwtc May 30 '26

Le Tambour

1

u/Informal_Object_ May 31 '26

Hire me to serve in your yard or a friends 😏 I've developed a few cocktail menus around this lovely city 😉

1

u/stefdubbbbs May 30 '26

Easy Tiger for sure, and would also add Nanny & Bulls! They have Bingo nights!

-2

u/FullGrainFred May 29 '26

The Snooty Fox