Charlotte CampbellFor a laid-back city with a strong coastal lifestyle, Halifax has a pretty vibrant night scene, which most people don’t even know about.
We’ve seen our fair share of clubs and pubs, where we drank and danced ‘til we dropped (literally). But what truly makes the Great Harbor stand out is its wonderful blend of maritime history and artistic expression, which are best experienced at night.
From late-night art crawls and ghost tours in a 19th-century Citadel to skinny dipping in the Harbor, these are a few of our favorite things to do in Halifax at night.
- 1. Dine and drink at a rooftop bar.
- 2. Dance the night away at a club.
- 3. Join a pedal bus pub crawl.
- 4. Go on a ghost hunt.
- 5. Throw some axes with friends.
- 6. Play mini golf.
- 7. Grab a late-night bite.
- 8. Visit an all-night contemporary art festival.
- 9. Go skinny dipping at the beach.
- 10. Grab a drink by the waterfront.
1. Dine and drink at a rooftop bar.
| Website | https://yourfathersmoustache.ca/ |
| Location | 5686 Spring Garden Rd |
| Availability | Mon-Wed 11:30 am – 10 pmThu-Fri 11:30 am – 11 pmSat 11 am – 11 pmSun 11 am – 10 pm |
| Price Range | $20-$30 |
On a hot summer’s night in Halifax, we love getting an ice-cold beer on a breezy rooftop, overlooking the city. We’ve been to quite a few, and one of our favorites is a family-owned restaurant on Spring Garden Road called Your Father’s Moustache.
Serving local beer and spirits, game night specials, and other Canadian comfort foods, this pub has a wealth of options for the entire family. Even the picky-eaters and the vegans have lots to look forward to here!
If you’re looking for a more lively atmosphere with equally stunning views of downtown Halifax and no screaming kids, go to The Decks on Argyle. They’ve got a DJ playing every night, a cool crowd, and refreshing cocktails.
2. Dance the night away at a club.
| Website | https://www.hideseekhfx.com/ |
| Location | 1737 Grafton St |
| Availability | Fri and Sat 10:30 pm – 3 am |
| Fee | FREE admission |
A night out in Halifax would be incomplete without music. If you want booze and dancing, Hide+Seek is a trendy club we like because of its rustic urban loft vibe with large comfy sofas and unique art pieces.
It regularly hosts performances by local DJs and artists, making it a popular destination for a young, hip crowd. As far as we know, there isn’t a dress code but everyone dresses to the nines here anyway so be sure to fit in.
We suggest going on a Saturday before midnight because admission will be free. Drinks are pretty reasonable too, costing at least $10.
3. Join a pedal bus pub crawl.
| Website | https://www.ridesolar.com/halifax |
| Location | 1181 Hollis St |
| Availability | Select dates from May 1 – Oct 31 |
| Fee | Adult: $39Seniors and children under 12: $34 |
The most interesting way to experience Halifax’s night scene is through Ride Solar’s pedal bus. This solar-powered tour took us around select pubs in the city, starting from Seaport Social and ending at Garrison Brewing Company.
Food and beverages are available at every stop, and we were given ample time to dine and drink. About 14 people can go at a time so it’s best experienced with friends or family.
It looks like a touristy gig, but it’s worth the try (at least once) because they donate to charity. For every passenger that goes on the tour, they will donate $1 to the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Center to help fund the fight against cancer.
4. Go on a ghost hunt.
| Website | https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/halifax/activ/decouverte-tours/visite-hante-ghost-tour |
| Location | 5425 Sackville St |
| Availability | Private tours: All year round except for special holidays Public tours: Select dates in the summer and fall |
| Fee | From $21.72 |
Believe it or not, one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have in Halifax is a ghost hunt. We booked a guided tour with Parks Canada, which started from Citadel Hill and ended at the waterfront boardwalk.
Dressed in a Citadel guard uniform, our guide took us around dimly lit passageways and tunnels while explaining the rich history of the site and recounting chilling stories of the paranormal.
It was a 70-minute walk, but it didn’t feel like it because it was such an immersive experience. With only lanterns lighting up our way, it was spookier than we expected and truly a night to remember.
5. Throw some axes with friends.
Media credit: leanne0donnell
| Website | https://halimac.com/axe-throwing/ |
| Location | 1920 Brunswick St |
| Availability | Mon 4 pm to 7 pmTue and Wed 4 pm to 10 pmThu and Fri 4 pm to 11 pmSat 12 pm to 11 pmSun 1 pm to 9 pm |
| Fee (1 hour) | Adult: $23.95Child: $18.95 |
If you want to destress without any alcohol, perhaps throwing axes at a wooden target will work for you as it did for us. At Halimac Axe Throwing, you can do it safely and, of course, legally for a reasonable price.
Throwing a heavy, sharp object across the room isn’t as easy as it seems, so an hour is more than enough time for this cathartic activity. To help us refuel, we got some of their fries and mozzarella sticks, but we went elsewhere for a full meal.
Aside from throwing axes, you can do archery or painting in the Splatter Room there. If you’ve got time to kill, we recommend getting their packages, so you can enjoy other fun group activities.
6. Play mini golf.
| Website | https://www.puttingedge.com/locations/halifax/ |
| Location | 182 Chain Lake Dr |
| Availability | Mon-Thu 12 pm – 10 pmFri 12 pm – 12 amSat 10 am – 12 amSun 10 am – 10 pm |
| Fee | $15 |
Known for its 18-hole blacklit mini golf course, Putting Edge is a trippy, glow-in-the-dark experience, which we’re here for. The kaleidoscope colors and strange sounds always challenge our senses, making this game all the more fun.
Even as adults, it is a fun game to play and definitely a nostalgic one. But if you haven’t tried it as a kid, you might want to ditch the usual date-night routine and come here to unwind.
We recommend booking a reservation online and ahead of time since they can get busy, especially on the weekends. If you want to just try your luck and walk in, don’t forget to bring your card because they don’t accept cash.
7. Grab a late-night bite.
| Website | https://www.tonysdonair.ca/ |
| Location | 2390 Robie Street |
| Availability | Mon-Tue 11 am – 2 amWed-Thu 11 am – 3 amFri-Sat 11 am – 4 amSun 11 am – 2 am |
| Fee | Starting at $8.75 |
After a boozy night out, we like to satiate our drunken munchies and quell the effects of a hangover with a good late-night snack. If you feel the same way, go to Tony’s Famous Donairs & Pizza and grab a bite of our favorite Nova Scotia specialty—the donair.
A variation of the Turkish kebab, this sloppy sandwich consists of roasted shaved beef and onions stuffed in a pita, then drizzled with a sweet and savory sauce. We always add melty cheese to give it an extra oomph!
If you’re really starting to feel those hunger pangs, maybe grab a hefty donair pizza or other classic flavors like pepperoni and cheese. No matter the flavors, they always come out with a chewy crust and blistered edges that are best eaten on the spot.
8. Visit an all-night contemporary art festival.
| Website | https://nocturnehalifax.ca/ |
| Location | 1546 Barrington Street, Suite 104 |
| Availability | Annual event (Select days only) |
| Fee | FREE |
Now an annual event, Nocturne’s Art-at-Night festival is a city-wide celebration that we look forward to each year because their projects keep getting bigger and bolder. Oh, and did we mention that the event is completely free?
But here’s the catch: the festival is only held for a few days in the fall—usually around mid-October. Though not all, most galleries, businesses, and institutions will participate in the event, making the city livelier than ever.
Truth be told; there’s no better time to immerse yourself in Halifax’s art scene. If you want to be part of the festivities, you better plan your trip around that time.
9. Go skinny dipping at the beach.
Media credit: acorn_art_photography
| Website | https://parks.novascotia.ca/park/crystal-crescent-beach |
| Location | 220 Sambro Creek Rd |
| Availability | Daily 8 am – 11 pm |
| Fee | FREE |
When the weather is warm, Crystal Crescent Beach is an ideal spot for a night’s swim—especially in your birthday suit. Even if it’s simply to tick skinny dipping off your bucket list, just like me, this safe, non-judgmental spot is the best place to do it.
Located in Sambo Creek, locals frequent this area all year round, but we don’t see a lot of tourists, which is why we love it here.
You can do bonfires on this narrow crescent-shaped patch of white sand. However, camping isn’t allowed so make sure to leave before the clock strikes 11 pm.
10. Grab a drink by the waterfront.
| Website | https://saltys.ca/ |
| Location | 1887 Upper Water St |
| Availability | Bar and Grill: Daily from 5 pm – 9 pmUpper Deck: Daily 11:30 am – 9 pm |
| Price Range | $10-$40 |
Halifax is known for its stunning seaside views, so we never miss a chance to wine and dine by the waterfront in the summer.
Located right by the water, Salty’s is our go-to seafood spot, where the lobster is as legendary as the views of the harbor. We also like that their menus highlight the best of locally sourced produce and seafood from Nova Scotia.
Salty’s has a restaurant on the upper deck, which we recommend if you’re craving a seafood platter, steak, and pasta. But if you’re hankering for burgers, sandwiches, and lobster rolls, their bar & grill should satiate your cravings.
