Hamilton’s Side Door Bar is a west end gem for drinks, events, and more
- Michael Kras
- 02 Nov 2022
A gem of a watering hole of Hamilton’s west end, The Side Door Bar is stepping up its game to become a multifaceted destination for more than just a pint of beer or custom cocktail.
Located at 1831 Main Street West in Whitney Plaza – steps away from McMaster University – Side Door has spent the past few years establishing itself as a bar and meeting place that’s both cozy and playful, with unassuming hangs between pals over a drink or three balanced by lively trivia nights, artisan markets, food pop-ups, and more.
In just a few short years, the bar has become one of the west end’s most popular spots and a favourite in the community.
Not bad for a business that officially launched its beautiful bar just two months before the COVID-19 pandemic turned everything on its head.
Like most small businesses, Side Door Bar was forced to face the dreaded P word – ‘pivot’ – and find creative ways of staying afloat during times when pandemic restrictions made indoor activities like dining or drinks with friends difficult or even impossible.
As a result – and with the Ontario government now allowing restaurants and bars to sell alcoholic beverages for takeaway – the Side Door Bottle Shop was born and remains in operation today in tandem with their usual bar business.
Though their bottle shop offers local craft beer, Ontario wine, and non-alcoholic beverages like seltzers for retail, the biggest draw of Side Door’s takeaway offerings is their selection of House Cocktails To-Go, many of them charmingly inspired by Hamilton itself.
Some examples include the Sage Park, a variation on the Gimlet named for the city’s famous Gage Park; The Terry Berry, a gin fizz in honour of the Hamilton Mountain library of the same name; and the Barton Street Bourbon, an Old Fashioned with a Bulleit Bourbon base.
A few of these options come in the form of a deconstructed cocktail kit, giving locals everything they need to build the cocktails at home including mini bottles of liquor and garnishes; and others come ready to drink, bottled and pre-mixed so they can simply be poured over ice and enjoyed.
The retail extension of Side Door’s operations was successful enough that it emboldened them to enter the cannabis game as well by launching In Bloom Cannabis last year, which sells a well-curated selection products from edibles to pre-rolls to beverages and beyond for both pickup and delivery.
With both of these retail ventures still going full-force, Side Door Bar has also – gratefully – returned to hosting in-person fun in their bar on their bumpin’ seasonal patio where they function not only as a day-to-day meeting place but also as a spot for some fun events.
Side Door now regularly hosts Throwback Trivia Nights on Thursdays at 8 pm in collaboration with local event planning group Hub of the Hammer, often adding some themed cocktails to the whole affair as well.
The bar has also started some Speed Dating events on a regular basis, with fun social nights tailored to specific age demographics as well as ones for single parents and folks from the LGBTQ2IA+ community to meet new people and make connections over some cocktails.
Vintage markets are also a regular occurrence at Side Door, with the bar giving space for local makers, curators, craftspeople, artists, and artisans a space to showcase and sell their stuff, be it vintage clothing or handmade jewelry or art pieces.
With plenty more bar services, fun events, and an onsite kitchen on the horizon, Side Door Bar has become so much more than a place to pull up for a pint; it’s turned into its very own community hub, and a perfect reason to head a little further west of the bustling downtown core for your next night on the town.
The Side Door is located at 1831 Main Street West in Hamilton. Visit their website for takeaway options and upcoming events, and check out In Bloom Cannabis to shop cannabis products online. Follow Side Door on social media here, and In Bloom Cannabis here.
Images courtesy of @sidedoorbar
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