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The Common

3.7 (185 reviews)
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THE COMMON ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
DJ
Moderate noise
Hipster
Trendy

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Recommended Reviews - The Common

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Leanne L.

The Common is a nice dinner choice for a spot that is still downtown but not in a really busy central area. There are a few street parking spots and a paid parking lot close by. I recommend making a reservation on the weekend as it does get quite busy. The music is great with low lighting and cool decor throughout. There is a mix of low and high top tables. The menu is varied all the way from truffle popcorn to start, to tacos, burgers and perogies. The serving sizes are generous and pricing ranges from about $15-18 a dish. We tried the jalapeno and cream cheese perogies with pickled onions, they were fantastic! Highly recommend trying those for a rich and creamy dish. They also have an extensive cocktail menu with the highlight being a negroni bowl. This is a large crystal punch bowl to serve a minimum of 3 people (I would recommend 4-5) and costs $55. It was really good and well worth the price. There are also several local beers on rotation with a good assortment of sour beers. The servers are always very friendly and drinks/food come out quickly. Later in the evening on the weekends they usually have a DJ with a dance floor opening up. A great dinner/dancing spot!

Charcuterie Board
Teresa S.

This was our first visit here and I was so impressed. The vibe is super trendy while being very comforting at the same time. Service was friendly and efficient. Bottles of wine are half price on Wednesday which was a score for us. We ended up ordering way too much food as the portions were huge! The charcuterie board was an amazing price for how much we got. Special tacos of the day were birria and absolutely delicious. The poutine had a red wine gravy which has a distinct different flavour from others but I enjoyed it a lot. The wings were just ok for us as the sauce was drizzled on them instead of tossed. The dill dip with them was great though. I am already looking forward to my next visit because it certainly will not be our last

Vanessa M.

I would give this place 3.5 stars if it was an option. I walked into the restaurant and the guy at the door told me to walk back down the sidewalk and enter in the other door on the left side of the patio. I walked in and I think on weekends it must be a bar atmosphere since they scan your ID at the door. I went to pickup my takeout order which was right at the counter to where I originally walked in 2 minutes before... smh. Anyways!! I ordered the beef stroganoff which was pretty delicious. I would recommend eating that dish in-house as the panko egg gets soggy when taken to-go. There was a lot of food in this dish, the sauce was tasty and they are generous on the beef. The pannalova was delicious!!

Poutine à la king $13
Jacqueline H.

Soooo good. I really love The Common, although I have to admit, I usually visit in the early to late afternoon, so I can't speak to the late evening and music scene. This place is definitely on my list of places I need to eat at more often. Food = excellent, without fail, creative & delicious Ambiance = excellent, relaxed but classy pub Service = pretty darn good, friendly, no pretense I was especially impressed with The Common during downtown dining week. The dishes themselves, along with comparatively low price and larger quantity than similar venues, were outstanding. Loved the duck confit, wow! We came back once and recommended it to everyone. I also appreciate how every year the Common puts out a new offering, versus so many other downtown staple restos offering unimaginative fare for "executive" meal prices. As a happy hour sip & appy person, I feel I'm missing out on the meal offerings here, especially as many items are seasonal. There's always something new to try. I love the twists on fresh, hearty pub food, the cocktails, and the rotating craft beer selection. Highly recommended.

Lettuce wraps and Crab/Pineapple
Amabel D.

Had dinner with my girlfriend there last night and enjoyed the food. We finally got to experience their patio and I really liked it. It's on such a busy street, I enjoyed that it was fenced in with a high fence! We combined the cauliflower pizza, the crab/pineapple dish and the lettuce wraps. What we did was basically combine all three dishes to make one. That made our night and was delicious! However, the cauliflower pizza and the crab/pineapple thing would have been very weird to eat alone. The crab/pineapple dish doesn't come with any crackers or anything, so it's kind of like a dip, but with nothing to dip with? I can't imaging eating this dish with just a fork and knife... it's a bit strange. However, I loved how we did it. Pineapples need to be in everything. Drink menu is very great! They have an entire menu filled with local breweries! Very cool. Service was OK. We barely saw our server and had to track him down so we could eventually get our bills and leave. So that wasn't the best. Otherwise I enjoyed it! They have some other cool dishes on the menu and I would be down to check out some more food items soon!

Exterior
Jonny M.

So, I've never been to The Common even though it's been around for years. Located close to Pampa's and neighbours to newly opened sister restaurant Grandin Fish 'N' Chips, we decided to check them out during Edmonton Downtown Dining week. Shocking that EDDW has been around for 14 years - it seems to get worse each year. Anyways, one thing The Common has going for it is it's music. DJ was in the house spinning some sweet beats; hip hop and r&b is my jam. It's hard to hear though, which must be why most couples/dates were sitting side by side rather than across. They have some decent daily specials along with happy hour (3:00pm-6:00pm). We came on a Thursday and it was 14 oz domestic draught pours for $4.50. Oddly enough, our waiter never mentioned it. We went with one of the dinner menus as the lamb shank itself normally costs $25.00. Yikes. Normally, I don't complain about service but hoooooooly crap, our waiter was brutal. He brought out our bill before we got our dessert. Seems he somehow forgot we never got it. When I asked him, he replied "oh, do you want it?"; uh, yeah bro, otherwise I wouldn't be asking you. I could complain some more but let's just hope it's not a common occurrence. - Smoked trout ($19.00) - trout was tender, nicely smoked but the rest of the ingredients didn't add much to the dish. Dill is great with fish but there was only a few springs. The beets, pumpkin and apple were tasteless. The egg was sadly not oozy. EDDW set dinner ($28.00) - Kabocha squash soup - they added a dollop of sour cream. The soup was very butter squash-esque and the pumpkin seeds were an excellent addition. - Braised lamb shank - good meaty portion, mostly tender but underwhelming in flavour. The fregola is a type of pasta but more similar to say a couscous. First time trying it and I liked it. Ctina loveeeeeeed the thinly cut slices of lemon. She couldn't stop raving about that. - Pistachio torte - I guess they were going for a deconstructed baklava. It was okay but the flavour combinations didn't really gel. At least the whipped cream was fresh. Overall, I wouldn't come back for the food but what I'd come back for is their hip hop nights. It's a better place to go for drinks and dancing. It's $7.00 cover unless you go before 10:00pm or get on the guestlist.

BIER
Cecilia L.

Hip/exclusive vibe that wasn't very inviting. Service was good; our beverages were delivered quickly and they had a surprisingly diverse draught beer selection. Menu was more "haute" than I anticipated. I ended up ordering the risotto, which was just okay. One friend I was with ordered the Grandin fish and chips dish, which comes from the Common's sister restaurant next door. The fries were very good and deliciously salty. The other friend I was with ordered the chicken and waffle and dish, which he claims was "the most well though out" chicken and waffle dish he's ever had (the corn waffles were a nice touch) but the whole dish was too greasy and he wound up feeling sick later. Overall, this was a positive experience but I will likely not be returning.

Kristin K.

Decided to bring a co-worker here for Downtown Dining Week 2016 after last year's success. Unfortunately, this year we weren't impressed with the main of Pork Belly Consommé. We started off with a delicious warm tomato salad and honestly a giant plate of that would have been better. My friend only tried a couple bites of her main and waited 15 minutes for the waitress to come back and check on us and by then she didn't want anything else. I also have to say the Pork Belly Consommé was not yummy for me either. I usually love pork belly but this one felt like a big slab of gelatin that my spoon couldn't get through and I had not been given a fork and knife. My friend and I also didn't have napkins for the first 30 minutes and our water wasn't refilled. If this was my only visit I'd be super bummed but since last time was so great I'm hoping this was just a fluke. I really don't think this was a wise choice for the lunch main featured for Downtown Dining Week but perhaps our bowls just weren't up to snuff.

Chicken & waffles
Joshua B.

We were told that The Common was a place we had to try while visiting Edmonton. Everybody brought up the chicken and waffles, so we had to try them. Being from the southern US, we have had quite a few versions of chicken and waffles, so this dish would have to stand out. We walked in and sat at the bar. We were greeted by the bartender promptly. The place had sort of a hipster vibe. We ordered a few beers while we decided what we wanted. We sat there at the bar wanting to order for some time while the bartender played with her phone and goofed off. We had to tell her we were ready to order. There service was pretty bad at this point. We went with the truffle popcorn and we both got the chicken and waffles. The popcorn was amazing. Not being much of a popcorn fan, I was surprised how tasty it was. Quite savory. The chicken and waffles came out quickly thereafter. The presentation was unique in that is was served without syrup, had a slice of watermellon, and had some sort of berry sauce on the plate. We both found we loved the way they breaded and fried the chicken, very tasty. The waffles were nice and lite. They had a bacon flavor to them that made them stand out. The berry sauce complimented it well, bit we still felt the waffles needed a bit more sweetness to complete the dish. Overall, the experince was simply ok. The food was surely a 4 while the service was bad and rated a 2. I had to average the experience and give this place a 3 star rating. It was a decent place to check out, but given the service, I would likely not be back as there are better options in the area.

Awesome time last night! Killer hip hop night! #vinylforlife
Amy C.

Had a fantastic evening and night here last night. Impeccable service. Very professional and sincere. Opted for the mussels without fries and they were delicious. Enjoyed the wine. It was a rap and hip hop night of old classics and current vinyl hits. Rocking night, kick ass vibe and dance floor. Couldn't have been more impressed.

Danielle P.

Depending on the night you can drink and have dinner or dance. It's a perfect location for after work drinks too. Half of the restaurant is turned into a dance floor on the weekend. For the downtown working crew it's also a great a place for lunch. The truffle popcorn ($6) is a great snack if you like truffle oil--I can't get enough of it. Also delicious is the steak frites poutine ($15) it's a pretty big portion and very filling so it's a good dish to share. They share the kitchen to the fabulous Grandin Fish and Chips so they feature a weekly dish. Of course, they have chicken and waffles ($18) which are pretty good, not the best in the city (that's the Sugarbowl) but pretty decent. They have a good drink menu with lots of beer on tap and a good wine losbut I love the cocktails. They make a good old fashioned.

crab salad on watermelon puree
Lea A.

The Common, for me, is like that guy you go on a date with that doesn't have an initial spark. Sure, he's good looking, a little quirky with a hipster vibe, but the first date was just okay -- good conversation, cool, but nothing exciting. Still, you give him another chance... and another... and before you know it, you're in love. I've been to The Common a few times: one for an Elite event at their old location, another for a bachelorette, another for an after-conference soiree... and finally last night, at a Girl Geek Dinner where it seems like he's pulling out all the stops, like tonight's the night he's getting lucky. The Common, when I first thought about it, seemed to be a lounge or hipster club/bar. But, really, it's a foodie heaven. There's a variety to choose from, but my fave times have all been custom off-the-menu choices, where it seems Chef Jesse Morrison-Gauthier throws the gloves off and gets creative. For the Girl Geek Dinner, there was a fantastic charcuterie platter, followed by two salads -- the standout being the duck confit with potatoes and greens -- and then quinoa melody, roasted veggies (the swiss chard was divine!) and cauliflower with breadcrumbs, squash soup with meatballs, followed by beef and salmon choices, and then two desserts: chocolate cake with sticky butterscotch and a blueberry cheesecake. Whew. I think The Common is a great place to go for a date, look at beautiful people surrounded by vintage charm, and eat good food. But it's even better when you're there to party. Go with a group, probably call ahead and ask for a custom menu. It'll be a great time!

Brittney L.

Want a great night spot without the clingy just-turned-18 crowd? Nothing against them, but occasionally you're going to want a nice place to mingle, talk, and still enjoy amazing music. The DJ really didn't let us down, and he kept a great mix of music to keep you moving in your seat.... or on the floor - hey, don't let us stop you! The lounge itself is fairly small, with the DJ located as soon as you walk in, seating lining the left and right walls and a simple walkway leading you straight to the bar at the back. When we went on Thursday night, there were drink specials on, and halfway through the evening, truffle popcorn was brought out for everyone to nibble on. The Common also has a fairly decent menu selection, but unfortunately that will have to wait for a follow up visit. The atmosphere was fantastic, the staff were great, and I will definitely be returning!

Chicken 'n' waffles

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Confederation Lounge & Patio

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Friends and I stopped in for an afternoon cocktail. The space is beautifully decorated and the…read morefurniture is classy and comfortable. We were seated near the window, which provided a beautiful view of the river valley. The servers are very quick, professional, and friendly. I ordered a spiced orchard mule and truffle gouda fries. My drink was made with high quality ingredients and was flavourful. My fries were perfectly cooked- crisp and golden, and the gouda and truffle oil provided a rich flavour. I highly recommend this lounge for a relaxed, upscale experience.

This is the more relaxed dining room in the Hotel MacDonald. Prices though are similar to the…read moreHarvest room but a different menu. It is lovely inside with fireplaces, comfortable couches and seating. Reminds me of an elegant cigar room. I would like to come here during the summer, because the patio has one of the best views of the river valley. Service was great. Our server came repeatily to make sure that we were comforable and happy with what we had ordered. A breakdown of what we had HEIRLOOM PUMPKIN SOUP - coconut cream, toasted pepitas, plantain chips ORGANIC SALMON - Pan seared salmon, Thai Laksa sauce, tiger prawns, tender bok choy, rice noodles, crushed nuts and NANAIMO BAR MARTINI Custard cream, coconut crumb, chocolate ganache inspired by the traditional Canadian dessert from Vancouver Island Food was delicous. The standout was the salmon. Delicous Laksa sauce. Absolutely beautiful. The Nanaimo bar martini was good, but extremely rich. I would say if you are not a huge sweet fan try something else. However, if you love chocolate, this one is for you. For us this was fairly pricey so it would be a once a year treat.

Honi Honi Tiki Lounge - Teak Tok Famous (left), Coconut Airway (right)

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Not too busy Saturday 10pm right before the hockey game got out -70% full. At 10:30 place was 100%…read morefull. Atmosphere is very fun. Bartenders are nice. Drinks are good but can very very strong. Boyfriend got the Zombie and felt sooooo buzzed borderline drunk. Loved the skull ratings which really helped. Honi honi- 7/10 - tastes too much like alcohol/ too strong for me. Captain's Cut 8/10 - good very light flavor Missionary's downfall 8/10- too much mint for me. Zombie - 10/10 if you like strong drinks. Overall a very cool place to go for drinks.

Place is pretty awesome! Especially if you love a great drink and a great atmosphere. So many great…read morecocktails. Drinks are pricey but craft and I feel worth it. Our server was friendly and fun. And she totally matched the atmosphere. Food menu is limited. I would like to see a few more selections particulary since they get their meat from Smoke next door. I went with the Zombie which was a flippin 4 oz. It was delicious. And well worth the price. To eat we tried the burnt ends, the fries, and the mac and cheese. Food came out slower than typical but it was a good use of our time to enjoy the space and our drinks. Food was good. For sure the burnt ends were the star of the show. But the mac and cheese was good and creamy and the fries were well flavoured and plentiful. Sliders were well constructed. come here for amazing drinks and snacks! And the food is an added bonus.

117 Lounge

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It's always busy and no seats 3/10 honestly they need more seats for people who don't drink but do…read moresmoke hooka I love the location but the parking needs more space and less random parking easy to get a ticket in the area and the hooka is 6/10 to be honest not my favorite spot but does the job for a Friday night out with the boys not for a date night as it's full of men and lots of smell during the weekends and bottle service gets the best seats since their big ballers total rating is 6.8/10 the inside is really great vibe

Easily the worst and most slimy hookah lounge I've ever attended. Came with my girlfriend and her…read morefriends, payed a 10 dollar cover and was served watered down tequila twice, yes a bottle of WATERED DOWN TEQUILA and when I called it out to the bartenders they were more than willing to fix their mistake and give me new shots(do you really think they would have given me new shots for free if they didn't know this was true)when I called it out the third time they brought the manager to speak with me and I was more than respectful in letting him know the situation and he proceeded to have two bouncers kick me out for essentially whistle blowing. He than followed me and the two bouncers outside calling me a liar and every other name in the book. It was so obvious that he knew the liquor was half water because the second I said something he wouldn't even talk to me about it and instead had me and my girl kicked out on the spot. I am the farthest thing from the type to write reviews like this, so for me to post this I would have to feel extremely snaked out. Moral of the story is if you don't want any of this to happen to you don't attend 117 lounge. Overall rating is a very generous 2/10

The Common - lounges - Updated May 2026

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