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Reflections Cabaret
- Hours:
Mon, Fri, Sun 10 pm - 4 am
Thu 9 pm - 4 am
Sat 8 pm - 4 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
12 reviews for Reflections Cabaret
12 reviews in English
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Review from Karen G.
Halifax, NS
1/19/2012
Reflections does clubbing right. Free cover for students on Fridays, free coat check, super cheap drinks (I paid $2.75 for a shot... what?), fun music, nice crowd, and fun little platforms to dance on.
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Review from Sandra M.
12/6/2011
My Husband and I have been going to Reflections since about 2003. We have always liked the atmosphere, the staff and the space.
The Music of lately has not been what it used to be (too much top 40 now). We had seen some great international DJs at Reflections and have allot of great memories with friends, as well as making new friends.
Reflections is definitely a great place if you want to enjoy the night, dance, maybe meet some new ppl and not worry about the issues that plague most other bars. Reflections has always been diverse and accepting and I have seen very very few fights.
The only things that could use improvement are working cold water taps, and more bathroom stalls. Perhaps their upcoming move will resolve those issues.
I would highly recommend going to reflections if you're in Halifax on the weekend. -
Review from Kendall P.
Toronto, ON
4/29/2011
I currently do a live performance show here every Saturday from 8 until 11..then the DJ takes over. I'm a singer/keyboardist that goes between regular piano bar material to one-man band sounds. Come sit around the piano shell and request away!
One absolutely important thing...they are MILITANT about Identification. It must be up to date and you must have it whether you are 18 or 80. No exceptions! They are extremely strict about this policy...on the bright side, very inexpensive 4$ cover...WICKEDLY cheap drinks specials during my performance. $3.25 martinis, $3.25 Domestic Beer and $2.75 Well shots. Hope to see some of you out and about. SOCIABLE! -
Review from Courtney M.
Halifax, NS
4/17/2010
I'm sort of inclined to feel a tad sorry for the gay community in Halifax, as this so called 'gay bar' has certainly undergone a wave of advertising aimed at the student and decidedly straight population. For having the most bars/capita in Canada you'd think we'd be able to do a tad better than what 3 gay bars?
Reflections used to have an awesome dance scene and you could go there at the end of your night and get another hour of top 40 hits in before trudging home. I have only been to Reflections once in the last year but the music was exactly what you'd expect to find at the Dome. (no awesome dance mix 2001 to be found at all!) and the scene was pretty dodgy. Lots of thinly veiled (and heavy) drug use to the tune of $10 cover and drink specials that only go until 1am.
Overall, I miss the old Reflections. -
Review from Annie C.
Kingston, ON
12/22/2010
Hm. Upon reflecting on Reflections, there's not a lot a remember about it. Wee bit of a wild and long night.
But, that being said the place gives quite the impression. Went on a whim when visiting town on a Friday night. Whole range of different fun loving fools out on the town. Music was pretty standard top-40/club stuff, but I had a blast dancing my pants off.
As noted, open til 4am. Which aides in the facilitation of poor decision making. -
Review from Laura P.
3/19/2010
While my Reflections nights seem to be more of a dulled memory, I look at this place with a smile. Its the night club in Halifax that integrates an insanely vast array of social species under one roof. Ravers, punks, straights, gays, lesbians, transgenders, prepsters- you never know who you'll see there, no exclusions!
The bar is open later than most places, closing its doors at 4am. So if you're alive and still kicking at last call, Reflections is the downtown destination.
Its pretty carefree, no social stigma or rigidity amongst this across the board blending of people. Its a dance party and you better be able to keep up. It seems that Reflections just seems to attract people who want to let loose enjoy a good time.
Music menu varies, but during my experience, its always carried that catchy 'Lady Gaga' type hit that you pretend to hate, but catch yourself humming along to under your breath. They also have DJs in and out quite a bit, as well as drag shows.
Its a fun loving, liberalizing place to dance it up, and I'm glad the option is there if I feel the need.Listed in: Girls Night!, Night Timing
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Review from Mike B.
3/20/2011 9 Check-ins Here
I've been going to Reflections for years and have seen the subtle changes that have occurred since my first visit here in 2004 (?). This club became the go-to-club every weekend for me and my friends so there are tons of memories and when I think of clubbing, I generally think of Reflections. In some ways, it's become iconic.
But as I alluded to, things change. Firstly, the music has been on the decline for years. While they have advertised that Fridays and Saturdays was mostly dance and Top 40 music, there's a lot of unfamiliarity thrown in there and it's become a thing amongst me and my friends now that the "good" music stops at midnight. Now, a few years ago I could have said that the lack of "good" music wasn't the fault of the DJ since good dance/pop music seemed harder to come by but now I feel like there's no excuse for the music to be lacking with today's current climate.
After a visit to Toronto last summer and a stop-by to another dance club in Halifax recently, I've determined that music at a club CAN be good and fun, but for some reason, it still lacks here. This has been made up recently with DJ NoLuv (from Z103) doing Friday nights at Refs.
I also feel the need to clarify that when I say "good" music, I'm generally referring to familiar, fun, dance songs that we all know and love to sing along to, rather than other forms of dance music like Trance, House, or what-have-you. There are perfectly fine clubs that specialize in those subgenres and that's fine but unless I missed the memo, I don't think that's what Refs specializes in.
The overall vibe I get from refs has changed as well. Maybe it was my naivety from my slightly-younger-years but it doesn't feel as friendly as it did. I remember Refs almost having a family and friends vibe but over the last year or two, it lacks that. While I often don't see violence, I do feel that there's sometimes a level of tension in the air and it seems like the presence of drugs is more apparent than previously which removes some level of comfort. Most of the bartenders and staff that work here do do an awesome job tho. Considering the circumstances of working in a fast-paced, dark club, they are still friendly and efficient.
Drink costs have gone up also, as have cover. I can't (and won't) argue much with increasing costs but there was a time when it felt like the cost was increasing a little bit every other month. And special events (such as Pride) do have exceedingly high price of cover and no happy hour at all. Most times now, I pretty much will settle for a bottle cooler since the cost isn't that much further off.
I think when it comes to a gay club, I would expect Halifax to have a much more classy dance club (a la Pacifico) while still trying to emphasize a welcoming persona. We're friends and visitors rather than mere customers or potential troublemakers. If I had a choice, I'd rather a space that makes me feel welcome as a patron. But until then, I'll choose Refs. Despite the downsides, I still do have fun coming here occasionally. -
Review from Samantha J.
Halifax, NS
10/5/2009 1 photo
Halifax has the most bars per capita in all of Canada. I only just moved here, so naturally I haven't been to all of them, not even close. But so far my favourite place to go is Reflections.
Reflections is great for several reasons. The main one being: if you're going out for a night of dancing with the ladies, you don't have to worry about being ogled by a bunch of guys that only want one thing. Instead, you might be ogled by a bunch of girls that only want one thing. I joke, the ladies of Reflections are fun, understanding women.
The music is great, the best I've heard so far. It's mostly your generic brand techno music, but it's a nice change from the same old pop music you'll hear everywhere else. The drinks are pretty average in mix and price; you'll usually save on cover though.
The place itself is extremely dark and relatively sketchy looking, but it's always a guaranteed good time with great music and fun loving people. It's a place where anything goes and you'll undoubtedly see some strange sights. If you're not very conservative and looking for a place to take your girls dancing, Reflections cabaret is always a good choice. -
Review from Joshua Y.
Vancouver, BC
10/30/2009 1 photo
Live DJ's, Drag Shows, Contests, Talent Shows, all in one nightclub.
Reflections has been around ever since I was in High School in 1999 and was probably around a long time before then as well. It is known as a gay nightclub but over the years has really turned into a nightclub for everyone of any sexuality.
When I first went there as a teenager, I just moved from a very small town with a population of 8,000 people. Saying that this place gave me culture shock would have been an understatement. But Halifax back then needed a place like Reflections to help break the prejudice towards certain groups sexuality choices. And ever since its heyday, it has grown and flourished.
What I love about Reflections is, it knows how to have fun with itself. A lot of other nightclubs or bars are designed to find the quickest way to your wallet. But Reflections wants people to be entertained, and money comes second. This undoubtedly means they probably make more money than the bars that are too money focused of course.
My favorite nights to go, when I do go out which is rare, are Saturday nights. Friday nights are far too busy while Saturdays maintain an average but not insane lineup outside the door. The staff are very friendly but the club in general, I believe, needs a complete makeover. It is still the same color it was ten years ago. The walls are black and don't do much for the overall beauty of the place.
Reflections isn't my first choice since I am not a "party hard at a nightclub" kind of guy. I'm more into restaurants and chatting with friends nowadays. After all, I did just turn thirty. Its all downhill from here. Just kidding. But Reflections will stick around for another decade or two I predict. It knows how to attract a crowd and also support the gay community in Halifax. So a very well deserved four stars goes to this fantastic nightclub! -
Review from Adam B.
Halifax, NS
12/14/2009
Reflections is generally pigeon holed as "The Gay Bar" in Halifax, but in my opinion that statement is a little narrow. It's really more of a "Inhibitions Not Welcome" kind of bar.
On any given night at Reflections you will see a bizarre mish mash of punkers and drag queens, girls and boys of every sexual orientation, bikers, dancers and hopefuls looking for their five minutes of fame. The music is loud, dance friendly and serves as a solid soundtrack to this debaucherous and decadent cabaret.
Now that being said, I'm not a huge fan. Personally, I prefer to dance to a different kind of music and it's hard to carry on a conversation over the pulsing bass. Also, any club that has no working cold water taps in the bathroom and then charges a bit too much for a bottle of water does not have the best interest of its patrons in mind.
Reflections is great for the clientele that are looking for its atmosphere, be you straight, gay, bi, trans, or anything else under the sun. But for those who like a wider variety of music than top 40 and heavy drum and bass, shine up your dancing shoes and head elsewhere. -
Review from Lacey H.
3/13/2010
I don't frequent this dance party venue much these days, but once in a blue moon I find myself during the wee hours shaking a tail feather on the dance floor at Reflections.
Back in the day, I was a big fan of the drink specials that this cabaret offered, paired with fun top 40 beats, it made for a good time. Since Reflections has a cabaret license, they are able to stay open later, making it a great spot to hop to if you're dancing shoes are still kicking and you have some energy left after a big night on the town.
Reflections is traditionally known as a queer bar, hosting fun drag events for both the queens and the kings. However, if you're down with having fun in an open environment, this bar is for anybody. There are lots of cool events that take place, including rocking for dollars, an opportunity for local bands to compete for cold, hard cash.
This is a good place to go to if you're up for some serious dancing to mega bass-beats. Also, if you have a crazy outfit that you've been dying to sport but haven't found the right occasion, feel free to strut your stuff at Reflections; it's a great spot to wear your most outrageous ensembles. -
Review from cheryl d.
Halifax, NS
4/1/2010 1 photo
Reflections is a location that you are accepted if you are tall small short fat and does not matter the colour of anything!
I love this place the freedom is refreshing. The drinks are fast and furious and so are the shooter girls/guys they have walking around.
Remembering back when I took my now BF on our second date here with my GF he had not idea. It so cute. This is what I am talking about the freedom the guys in the girl bathroom why not? and you can tell me with a straight face you ever dashed into a men's bathroom? I would call you a fibber.
Cabaret means that a bar is open longer so normally you will find all aftermath from DT hanging around Reflections. And if it is a night where they are hosting there ever so famous Drag shows well good luck getting in. But it is worth the try as the dance floor is always rocking as Reflections plays some good jams.
