Halifax has the best place names

One of my favourite quirks about Halifax is the number of ridiculous place names you’ll find all over the place. It’s like the city made it mandatory for all its businesses to have a moniker that makes you giggle.

Even more awesome is the fact that almost every native Haligonian I’ve met does not seem to realize how funny these names are, nor do they think them unusual in the slightest. Actually, even the Newfoundland transplants who have lived in Halifax for years don’t even seem to find these places weird anymore. Maybe they never did.

I’ll let you decide.

The Economy Shoe Shop

On my first trip to the city back in ’09, Cailin suggested I go to the Economy Shoe Shop for nachos. It took me awhile to figure out that I wouldn’t actually be going to a discount shoe store, but a popular bar and restaurant.

The Smiling Goat

An itty-bitty organic espresso bar. My first time here, I asked the bartender to create something magical for me, and he did. I don’t know what it was. Just magic.

On my most recent visit, I was working away at my laptop and then I decided to log into FourSquare…only to discover my friend Andy was working just two seats away from me. The world is small. And so is this cafe.

Your Father’s Moustache

I had breakfast at Your Father’s Moustache once. It’s kinda like a “your mom” joke. Or not.

The Foggy Goggle

Actually sits right beside The Economy Shoe Shop. You’ve got a whole wardrobe on one street.

The Bicycle Thief

A ritzy restaurant featuring North American food with Italian soul. I can’t afford to eat there.

The Fickle Frog

This is one of my favourite spots in Halifax, on Spring Garden Road. When I was in the city last March during their absurd heat wave, we sat on the front deck in t-shirts and ordered Caesars. I came back time and time again for cheap drink specials, and some of the best garlic fingers I’ve ever had.

Nothing like deck beers on March 21st!

Wooden Monkey

A restaurant specializing in organic, vegetarian, and vegan foods. It certainly does not serve monkeys.

The Toothy Moose

I kinda hate this dance club, and yet I find myself back here time and time again. The last time, someone got stabbed in the neck with a beer bottle.

Durty Nelly’s

An Irish pub named for a 15th century Bunratty Castle. Should’ve known the Irish were behind this.

Pogue Fado

Another Irish pub, but this one’s name is just really fun to pronounce. THE POGUE!

  • March 05 2013

    HAHA to your father’s moustache! such a strange name…

    btw what are garlic fingers?

  • March 05 2013

    I have been to the original Durty Nelly’s! Will have to make it out to Halifax to visit this one too. :)

    • March 05 2013

      When I was Googling images for Durty Nelly’s, I came across it! Totally wanna check it out when I’m over there, haha.

    • March 05 2013

      When I was Googling images for Durty Nelly’s, I came across it! Totally wanna check it out when I’m over there, haha.

    • March 05 2013

      When I was Googling images for Durty Nelly’s, I came across it! Totally wanna check it out when I’m over there, haha.

  • March 05 2013
    Elizabeth

    I just have to say, its kinda the pot calling the kettle black for a Newfie to point out that Haligonians don’t notice their weird place names. That being said, all these names are hilarious when you stop and think about it. Economy Shoe Shop used to confuse me a lot as well.

    • March 05 2013

      Ha! You’re so right. Although I can’t think of any weird restaurant/bar names in St. John’s. Oh no, maybe I AM clueless.

      • March 15 2013

        The Duke of Duckworth is a kind of an interesting one, Nautical Nellies, Yellow Belly brewery?!

      • March 15 2013

        The Duke of Duckworth is a kind of an interesting one, Nautical Nellies, Yellow Belly brewery?!

      • March 15 2013

        The Duke of Duckworth is a kind of an interesting one, Nautical Nellies, Yellow Belly brewery?!

      • March 15 2013

        The Duke of Duckworth is a kind of an interesting one, Nautical Nellies, Yellow Belly brewery?!

      • March 15 2013

        The Duke of Duckworth is a kind of an interesting one, Nautical Nellies, Yellow Belly brewery?!

      • March 15 2013

        The Duke of Duckworth is a kind of an interesting one, Nautical Nellies, Yellow Belly brewery?!

      • March 15 2013

        The Duke of Duckworth is a kind of an interesting one, Nautical Nellies, Yellow Belly brewery?!

      • March 15 2013

        The Duke of Duckworth is a kind of an interesting one, Nautical Nellies, Yellow Belly brewery?!

      • March 15 2013

        The Duke of Duckworth is a kind of an interesting one, Nautical Nellies, Yellow Belly brewery?!

      • March 15 2013

        The Duke of Duckworth is a kind of an interesting one, Nautical Nellies, Yellow Belly brewery?!

      • March 15 2013

        The Duke of Duckworth is a kind of an interesting one, Nautical Nellies, Yellow Belly brewery?!

      • March 15 2013

        The Duke of Duckworth is a kind of an interesting one, Nautical Nellies, Yellow Belly brewery?!

      • March 15 2013

        The Duke of Duckworth is a kind of an interesting one, Nautical Nellies, Yellow Belly brewery?!

  • March 05 2013

    These names are fantastic. I’d probably check out these places just for the odd names alone. The Economy Shoe Shop reminds me of when my friend I stopped at a pub in Vancouver called Famous Warehouse for some cheap burgers.

    Also on a note about garlic fingers they’re not something I’ve ever heard of before, or seen where I’m from, but they sound amazing.

  • March 06 2013
    Time Travel Plans

    A ritzy restaurant called The Bicycle Thief – that is funny. I think I like The Foggy Goggle best. Yet I hate foggy goggles…

  • March 06 2013
    Time Travel Plans

    A ritzy restaurant called The Bicycle Thief – that is funny. I think I like The Foggy Goggle best. Yet I hate foggy goggles…

  • March 06 2013
    Time Travel Plans

    A ritzy restaurant called The Bicycle Thief – that is funny. I think I like The Foggy Goggle best. Yet I hate foggy goggles…

  • March 11 2013
    Hogga

    i first read Your Father’s Moustache as Your Father is a Moustache…I like mine better

  • March 11 2013
    Hogga

    i first read Your Father’s Moustache as Your Father is a Moustache…I like mine better

  • March 11 2013
    Hogga

    i first read Your Father’s Moustache as Your Father is a Moustache…I like mine better

  • March 11 2013
    Hogga

    i first read Your Father’s Moustache as Your Father is a Moustache…I like mine better

  • March 11 2013
    Hogga

    i first read Your Father’s Moustache as Your Father is a Moustache…I like mine better

  • March 11 2013
    Hogga

    i first read Your Father’s Moustache as Your Father is a Moustache…I like mine better

  • March 11 2013
    Hogga

    i first read Your Father’s Moustache as Your Father is a Moustache…I like mine better

  • March 11 2013
    Hogga

    i first read Your Father’s Moustache as Your Father is a Moustache…I like mine better

  • March 11 2013
    Hogga

    i first read Your Father’s Moustache as Your Father is a Moustache…I like mine better

  • March 11 2013
    Hogga

    i first read Your Father’s Moustache as Your Father is a Moustache…I like mine better

  • March 12 2013

    I LOVE THIS!!!! great post

  • March 12 2013

    I LOVE THIS!!!! great post

  • March 12 2013

    I LOVE THIS!!!! great post

  • March 12 2013

    I LOVE THIS!!!! great post

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