Sadly, patio season in Canada has come to an end and with it our summer series on great places to eat, drink and socialize; alas, it also means it’s time to move indoors, and where better to do so than that great local pub in your town, city or neighbourhood, or the places you go? So, welcome to “Pub Crawl,” in which we reveal some of our favourite public houses, both at home and abroad – and, in the spirit of the establishment, invite you to share with us yours. Cheers!

“My favourite pub in Canada – bar none! – is the Lower Deck” in Halifax, says Canlink Travel exec and veteran pub-goer Brent Carnegie. Brent would know, slogging the travel trade show circuit across country as he does on sales missions for the likes of Orlando and various Caribbean hotels.

“When you say pub in Canada, it’s the first one that comes to my mind,” he adds.

Noting that Halifax has more bars per capita than most Canadian cities – many of which he has tried, he laughs – he says the Lower Deck is truly special, a place boasting great Maritime atmosphere, energy, music and history, and a true mecca for both locals and visitors to the city.

Located downtown on the waterfront (as opposed to the Clayton Hill location), the establishment features a pub, second-floor casual dining beer market and third floor multi-use tap room. The pub has been a fixture since 1974, but the building is part of the city’s Historic Buildings warehouse district, dating to around 1812.

Serving pub grub, including requisite fish & chips, and local ales like Alexander Keith’s, Lower Deck is even better known for its music, with local bands appearing seven nights week. Maritime greats Great Big Sea played there in their early days and local artists like Signal Hill, Shaydid, and Wreckhouse are current regulars.

The establishment is located at 1887 Upper Water St. and is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wed-Mon and 12:30 a.m. on Thursday; till 2 Friday-Sundays (opening at 5 p.m. on the latter).

Send your favourite pub to: baginski@travelindustrytoday.com