A local favourite, and for good reason! This cozy spot has a fun atmosphere, great staff, and…read moreabsolutely delicious food and beer. We both went with the fish & chips, and you can choose fried or baked -- we went fried. Our server recommended upgrading the fries to Newfoundland style (bread crumbs and gravy on top), and wow... well worth it! The fish was super fresh and flavorful. For drinks, we tried the famous Iceberg beer from Quidi Vidi Brewery, brewed with 15,000-year-old iceberg water. While the concept is really cool and unique to Newfoundland, the beer itself was honestly a bit mid in my opinion. I'd recommend trying other brews from Quidi Vidi instead. Overall, we had a great time here -- fresh food, cozy vibes, and a true local staple. Can definitely see why both tourists and locals love it!

I think the Duke has my favorite flannel... lost it somewhere in ST Johns, thats how good of a time…read morewe had here. During our stay we came several times and met some interesting characters. The overall atmosphere in this place is amazing and I do love going to a place that I see in shows and movies... Bar tender was very nice and my wife and I chatted with her quite a bit between the endless beer orders. Definitely come to this place!

Gayle and I were walking back from dinner and live music on George Street, when we happened by a…read moresign outside of Erin's Pub about an Irish music trad session that as it turned out was in progress. So we came in, took a seat at the bar, ordered a couple pints of Guinness (the best pour in St. John's we were told), and listened to several musicians around a big table churn out a number of traditional tunes. Another Irish word for this is seisiún or session. It was very relaxed and informal, with individual musicians starting a tune and others quickly joining in. Gayle and I really felt part of a local crowd of very nice and hospitable Newfoundlanders. A significant percentage of Newfoundlanders come from Irish descent. That started in the 17th Century when ships from the English West Country stopped into along Ireland's south coast to collect food and servants for the fisheries around the coast of Newfoundland. As such, the traditional music of Newfoundland and Labrador is rooted in Irish, Scottish, and English music. The Bar itself has a sort of local divey vibe, with dark woods, a cool bar, no pretense, and even a 24-hour camera screen on Quidi Vidi. It was a place where we really enjoyed staying awhile, which we did until this Celtic jam session was over.

Somehow this turned out to be pretty incredible. While practically all bars in St. John's are…read moresimilarly Irish and quite casual, Erin's is a standout. For all that is said (and really overstated) about Newfoundlanders being the nicest people in Canada, I actually had that friendly experience here more than at other bars in the city. (As an outsider, you can be easy to spot.) The bartender was friendly and on the ball. The live music was impressive. The artist who played (July 2?) was furiously devoted to continuously cranking out great music. The local patrons were generally lively and willing to engage in conversation with outsiders.

Come from away, leave as an honorary Newfoundlander…read more.... Christian's Pub is where I was "screeched in". Gayle skipped being in the ceremony, but watched enthusiastically as we both had a great time. Plus enjoying a couple of wee pints of Guinness ahead of time was a great starter. After all, Christian's Pub is a cool bar and lounge in itself. As legend has it, an American serviceman stationed in Newfoundland during the Second World War downed some local rum one night and let out a 'blood-curdling howl'. Someone nearby asked what that awful yell was and a Newfoundlander sitting at the bar said, "The Screech? 'Tis the rum, me son." And that's how Screech earned its name. I now have the certificate as an Honorary Newfoundlander. But first the ceremony! That involved a shot of Screech rum, flambé bologna, kissing the codfish (a real frozen one), receiving a a personalized certificate, and taking a photo with Skipper Lukey. Joining me that Sunday evening were people from all over the world, all of us having a great time. It was a whole lot of fun and Skipper Lukey put on a show that was also thoughtful, folksy, and educational, all in just under 30 minutes. Other George Street bars do this, but Christian's was the only one that another businesses on the street recommended. And Hell Yes! I'd do it again.

Every visitor "from away" must be Screeched in. It's the law. Being from Newfoundland myself, I had…read moreto use this opportunity to have my younger brother and partner Screeched in on our recent trip home. Christian's, being the oldest pub in St. John's on one of the oldest streets in North America seemed like the perfect place. Now, Christian's is no fancy joint, so let that be known right away. It's charming and a little edgy. Drinks are poured with love, and hope you're not hungry because you're lucky to get a bag of crisps. Or maybe a piece of flambéed bologna! But it's all served up with the typical Newfoundland charm. Fast forward to the Screeching in... Skipper Lukey is impressive! Memorizing everyone's name (all 40 or so guest) during our ceremony. Adding in his rough around the edges reminders on how the process works. You better be good at following instructions, because Lukey will remind you, not so gently, if you're out of line. All in good fun, I promise! Respect the ceremony and keep chatter to a minimum. It's a sacred duty to Screech in mainlanders after all. Overall a great experience and I highly recommend it to anyone and their group looking to become an honorary Newfoundlander!

Such a wonderful spot, full of nice people and great music, my wife and I had so much fun in here…read more On this night it was the bartenders anniversary for working behinfd the bar, I feel like he had been ther for 25 years, maybe it was 50 years, but he was too young for that- great guy! My wife and I ended up buying a few rounds for guys that were having trouble getting the bar tenders attention- tons of fun!

We were off to a difficult start because we ordered drinks but it took at least 15 minutes to get…read morethem. I don't know why. How long can a beer take? They didn't have any pale ale so our server suggested an 'Rielly's lagar but it tasted more like a pilsner. I'm really not that hard to please but that's how it was. Once the drinks arrived the food also came shortly thereafter. The server apologized for the delay in bringing the drinks. That helped but this is a pub so if they can't get the drinks out there is a problem. My fish and chips were good. My guests were pleased with their dishes. This is a very popular establishment so for that reason alone I would recommend it. Our meals were good and it was really just the strange delay in getting our drinks that put us off. There is live music with a local flair. Interestingly many of the patrons were older folks. I don't know what to read into that. Perhaps it's the folksy music. Three stars because of the mistakes made in bringing our drinks, being out of common items, etc.

We've been in St. John's for two days and we've been here twice already. Come for a late lunch and…read morehad the seafood soup, it was lovely and flavorful. Lindsay and her staff are absolute gems, you can tell they care for the pub and the customers. The vibes are perfect and what you would want in a pub called The Ship. We'll be back before we leave to go home.

Great food, and always new specials every week including dessert. Nice little place, sometimes they…read morehave bands playing or open mic. The waiter Chico is super friendly and always nice to talk to. The service is always fast and food is always hot.

Live music, friendly Natives ready to kick up their heels and dance! Fantastic atmosphere! Very…read morepleased with Allison's from Fish Exchange recommendation

Could be great but wasn't. The band were good but it was an an Irish Newfoundland acoustic band…read morethat didn't need amplification let alone over amplification. It was impossible to talk without leaning in and shouting. Best to just sit outside and listen and chat

We came across Inn of Olde on Friday, just down the street from the brewery so stopped in for a…read moredrink. Linda and her late husband, Bobby, opened the restaurant in 1977 to supplement their income from their declining grocery store. As promised, she was full of stories. She's in her late 60s and kept us entertained. The place is overflowing with things Linda has collected and things that have been given to her over the years. There are 1500+ spoons, lots of pictures, army helmets ... you name it! This is a large collection of cards ... not only business cards but driver's licenses, university IDs, etc. Apparently kids stop by after having a few too many and leave their important IDs (because they don't have business cards) under the glass ... they probably don't think it's such a grand idea the next day once they have sobered up. Barb helps Linda out at the bar. She lives down the street and had some great stories too. If you are in the Quidi Vidi area, you have to stop in and visit this place. Linda and Barb are very friendly and it's quite an experience.

This is a very unique place on Quidi Vidi. It has a real authentic Newfie vibe. You can only see…read moresomething like this either in real time or it's fake on a movie set. This is the real deal. If you want to be screeched in this is the place to do it. Go see Linda the owner and she will set you up. Today, my colleague got "screeched in". This process involves getting a shot of 90% alcohol homemade rum, she brings the frozen puffin which is over 20 years old preserved cryogenic style and you kiss the puffin bum. We watched a young gentleman get screeched in as well and she said "I'm going to have a wet dream about you". You get a signed certificate after issue by the Royal Order. You have to see it to believe it. Screeched ! (Warning this is not the place for the faint of heart)

Bens is great, but it's not so much the bar itself that's fun as it is the atmosphere and the…read morecrowd. Avoid Thursday nights if you're looking for something quiet - that's when the rez kids take over for karaoke, and BOY is it crowded/loud! But the beer is cold - coldest in the city - the bartenders are friendly and the regulars are happy to chat. The one thing that could benefit this place hugely (besides more than one stall in the ladies' room) would be some greasy pub grub food. The selection of beers is great, but don't expect any fancy cocktails or highbrow wines (but you should know this just from the look of the place). And the space is small enough to be cosy without being stifling. All in all a favourite of mine. Bonus: bring your dog. They have treats for him!

Ah, Ben's. I was conflicted when I went to write this review. There's nothing really wrong with…read moreBen's, but there's nothing really right about it, either. It's just a very ordinary, somewhat dated neighbourhood boozer. Fine if you're in the area and you want a pint.

This place was a chance as we were passing through St John's and was definitely a "not to be…read moremissed". The menu offered a great selection of seafood plus other turf offerings. We had the calamari, cod bits, and fish n' chips. All delicious. But the best part was the waiter who waited on us; definitely made the whole experience above and beyond!

Service here was top notch. Our server even took a moment to show us the underbelly of the pub…read more Really cool history here if you're into learning! The place is your typical pub inside. You know what you're getting into before you sit. Food is surprisingly delicious but the beers were better! We gad the four flight which isn't in the photos. Only reason this isn't five stars is the table was wobbly and the menus were sticky. Kinda gross.

When Gord and I arrived in St. John's this morning, we were exhausted and hungry and stopped at…read moreTalamh an Éisc for breakfast. Its sign says it's a 24 hour restaurant and the inside is a pub ... actually it's one of three pubs that are connected. There was a fella at the bar having a beer. I ordered the Celtic Breakfast with ham. It was good, though I wasn't crazy about the home fries. Gord was more adventurous and ordered the Newfoundlander. He enjoyed it. Toutons, we discovered, are leftover dough that are then fried. Our server was very friendly ... it was a great way to start our visit to St. John's (though we were only spending a day there)!

Great pub, good selection of beers and easy access to George when you go upstairs. Nice to find a…read moreveggie burger in the pub grub. Why why WHY is it listed as British? The pub's name is literally written in the Irish language.