New Brunswick by night: hot spots and winter events
This post was originally published on the Tourism New Brunswick website.
Done with your day? Let the fun begin. There's no need to hibernate once the sun sinks below the horizon. Nights are long in wintertime and we're big believers that this is the best reason for a night on the town. You'll find lots to do in New Brunswick after dark, whether your thing is beer fests, indie music, apr?s-ski cocktails, or theatre. We've got some great suggestions for you below. Plan something in advance or just see where the night takes you...
Restaurants and pubs
Sometimes you just want a pint and a snack, and sometimes you want to be wowed with an over-the-top culinary experience. Take your pick, because there are plenty of options for both. Irish pubs like O'Donaghue's, Cask & Kettle, and The Old Triangle are always a crowd favourite. For Asian cuisine head to Thandi Restaurant, Damda Fusion Cuisine, Mitchan Sushi, or Tokai Noodle Bar. Looking for a hip hotspot? Check out 540 Kitchen & Bar, East Coast Bistro, or Tide & Boar Gastropub.
Theatre
Love doing dinner and a show? New Brunswick theatres offer all kinds of different experiences, from touring shows and musicals to Francophone acts and local productions.
Check out the seasonal schedules at these locations:
- Imperial Theatre, Saint John
- Capitol Theatre, Moncton
- Live Bait Theatre, Sackville
- Theatre l'Escaouette, Moncton
- The Playhouse, Fredericton
- Saint John Arts Centre, Saint John
- Theatre at Monument-Lefebvre, Memramcook
- Edmundston Arts Centre, Edmundston
Comedy shows
You can catch comedy shows at some of the theatres listed above, but there are also a few locations dedicated entirely to laughs. Head to Punch Line Comedy, Stress Factory or McSweeney's Dinner Theatre where you can also be part of the show. If you love to laugh, definitely don't miss Moncton's HubCap Comedy Festival, which has a stellar lineup of comedians from across Canada.
Cocktails and craft beer
The New Brunswick cocktail and craft beer scene is on fire. Fredericton is known for its breweries (it has the highest concentration of breweries, meaderies, and cideries in Atlantic Canada), but you'll also find local operations all over the province. Check out this map for an up-to-date list. Craft cocktails are also having their day, with mixologists turning out some serious deliciousness by the glass. Fredericton's 11th Mile and Saint John's Hopscotch Whisky Bar are particularly well-known for their creativity behind the bar.
Festivals and events
If you think there's nothing going on during the winter months, think again. There are all kinds of special events and happenings to keep you entertained. Here are some local favourites, but be sure to check out the event listings to see everything that's happening this winter.
Live music
What's better than warming up inside with live music on a chilly winter night? Probably nothing. You'll find live bands playing in venues all over the province at any given time, from tiny caf?s to bars to large venues like Casino New Brunswick. For a great mix of Anglophone and Francophone music, check out Plan B in Moncton. The Capital Complex always has a great mix of bands (it's also one of the venues for Shivering Songs festival, a total must-do for music lovers), and you can't go wrong with any of the shows at Pepper's Pub -- it's right on the boardwalk in Saint John.
Get inspired
