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Rock Bottom Brewery
- Hours:
Mon-Wed, Sun 10 am - 12 am
Thu-Sat 10 am - 1 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
19 reviews for Rock Bottom Brewery
19 reviews in English
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Review from Erin P.
Eastern Passage, NS
6/21/2011 ROTD 9/8/2011
My mother and I ate here back in the fall. She was staying at a hotel handy to Spring Garden, and neither of us really wanting to walk too far decided to try Rock Bottom.
I forget what night of the week it was, but it was pretty busy. I don't think there was an empty seat in the place.
After studying the menu we each decided on the same thing: turkey avocado burger (which I don't think is on the menu anymore...I see they have a chicken avocado though), and two glasses of the raspberry wheat beer. The beer was delicious and the burgers were fantastic! Our server was great, and cute too!
A great experience at Rock Bottom. Will definitely go back! -
Review from Navoda S.
Dartmouth, NS
11/19/2011
Rock Bottom is one of those places that the first time you walk in you can't wait to try the food. It's a wide open, welcoming, warm place that just invites you in to stay awhile and kick back a few beers. Although it is a basement it manages to feel more like a celler/cavern. With big booths, a large fireplace and lots of big comfy chairs you can't help but want to curl up and enjoy some good company.
If you are lucky, the staff and kitchen are on their game and the food and service is pretty good. But they do have their off days...often. I've been there a few times at lunch and the staff can be overwhelmed (even though its rarely busy) and sometimes a little curt. The same goes for the food. The first (and second) time I darkened their doorstop their food impressed me. However, I've been back a few more times and the meal was lack luster at best. It is never offending enough for me to declare "I am never coming here again!!" (usually followed with a stamp of my foot and a glare at whoever suggested it). But it is never overly memorable and leaves you with a 'meh?' taste in your mouth. Consistency is not one of Rock Bottom's strong suits.
Their beer on the other hand is quite good. They have a few options and so the staff is pretty knowledgeable about them. Every time I've been there (and been able to grab a beer) I've enjoyed it.
The also have trivia night on Tuesdays. Have never been myself, but a few people I know have gone and it comes highly recommended. -
Review from Vanessa J.
Halifax, NS
10/5/2011
First off, I will say I give Tuesday night trivia at Rock Bottom 5 stars. It attracts a good crowd, and the host asks a wide variety of questions, keeps the game flowing, is fast at marking etc.
The decor is rather nice, and for a pub, the bathroom is pretty nice with a beautiful rock wall, and I've always have good service. That being said, if it wasn't for trivia, Rock Bottom is not someplace I would go. Nothing on the food menu interests me, it's your basic pub grub. I've also seen the "large" bacon wrapped scallops, maybe the scallops would be considered large for a smurf. As for the beers, I've tried a few but haven't been wowed over, thought I don't mind and will usually order the Nut Brown. The last few times I've been however, they have been out of the Nut Brown.
All in all, you can find me at Rock Bottom on the occasional Tuesday, but I'll have eaten before I came and will be more interested in the Q&A's than the beer I'm drinking.Listed in: 30 Day Challenge Lists
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Review from Ben B.
8/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've had some great times and some okay food at the Rock Bottom which basically means I like the place, I don't think I'd ever object to going there, but I can't say I'd get too excited about the meal portion of the night.
The Rock Bottom is aptly named for its subterranean location just underneath Your Father's Mustache on Spring Garden Road. For a basement, they've created a nice, warm ambiance that really shakes you from any dive-bar expectations you may have had. Big booths, solid chairs, good lighting and really clean.
I've only ever had their perogies which were actually really tasty and the perfect amount of food for a working day lunch, and the veggie burger which ultimately was a pretty big let-down. It just wasn't anything special, didn't have any flavour, and wasn't very well cooked.
Not being a beer snob, you can take this statement with a grain of salt, but I did enjoy some of their home brews that I tried over the course of a night. It's nice sometimes to take a gamble on a new beer instead of sticking to my usuals.
The best part about Rock Bottom has to be the trivia nights on Tuesdays. It's a great way to get out and have fun with a crowd without needing to get wasted and go to the Dome with a bunch of nineteen-year-olds. It's a hilarious, rowdy good time that works for your mid-twenties and I can really get behind that!Listed in: Spring Garden State, Group-friendly!, Pub Crawl
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Review from Tiffany T.
Halifax, NS
6/21/2011
Because of the industry I work in I often get off work around 11pm, and am always looking for somewhere with beer and food. So we decided to try the Rock Bottom Brewery.
The beer was TASTY, and very refreshing. I had the Raspberry Wheat, the bf had the Nut Brown. Both us enjoyed our beer.
We had some aps as they were half priced (except the mushroom caps, which of course we had to have). Mushrooms were stuffed with Lobster and tasted fresh, but nothing really special. Also, we had a goat cheese dip ( or so we thought), which consisted of goat cheese and jelly served with pita points. Finally, we had a pizza, which was nice and very light (which I prefer). The food was pretty good all-in-all.
The place was dead for a Saturday night, it would be a great venue for local talent!
Prices were moderate, service was great. The decor is nice as well.
I will be back!Listed in: Before the Hangover
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Review from Graham C.
Halifax, NS
8/4/2011
I have frequently eyed the brewery, but I never seem to catch it open when I am in town. Today it was finally open when I happened to be needing an hour to kill. Granted I didn't have any food to base my rating on, but the beer was thin and average. A big disappointment. None of the bar tenders seemed interested to talk about beer (maybe they were not knowledgeable, maybe they were anti-social, couldn't tell.). The use of a berg draft system suggests to me the management would rather count their pennies then train their workers about beer and beer related stuff. This is not what you want in a fledgling microbrewery market like eastern Canada. Not impressed, probably will take my business to one of the other more tasty and friendly breweries in town next time.
Oh yeah, it's more expensive per oz to get a pitcher then a pint, go figure. Management clearly doesn't have a clue.
EDIT: Nash is starting to brew here... I will likely go back just to see what he does with the place. Still, if the servers/management don't start caring about beer it will be a hard sell. -
Review from Lauren O.
Halifax, NS
Rock Bottom has the best trivia night in Halifax. Period. Don't believe me? Wander down on a Tuesday night at 10 PM and duke it out with the city's best nerds. We will crush you!
The trivia host is very amiable and hilarious without turning the night into an extended stand-up routine. He usually does theme rounds and has an affinity for Ben Affleck, Patrick Swayze, Nic Cage, Star Trek, Seinfeld, and the Simpsons. The questions aren't just pop culture, though, and you may be forced to do a bit of math now and again. I bring one or two engineers, just in case.
The food is pretty good and the micro-brew beer is tasty. The staff there are among the most pleasant and fun folks I've encountered in the city. Definitely a great place to hang out and test your brain. -
Review from Maureen J.
Halifax, NS
4/13/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I am a big fan of the atmosphere and energy at Rock Bottom. I have been there a few times with both a big group and in a more intimate group for drinks and have enjoyed myself everytime. I can't comment too much on the food as my experience is limited to nachos and quesidillas but both were good.
I love that Rock Bottom brews their own beer. I've tried a few and found them very tasty. They also allow you to take your unfinished bottle of wine with you when you leave. No fees, no questions... brilliant! My server also told me that they only mark-up each bottle $5 over the NSLC price. Not bad considering some wine prices at other restaurants.
Overall, Rock Bottom is one of my favorite places to visit for casual drinks with friends! -
Review from Leslie F.
4/1/2011
Most of the time people walk in the doors of Your Father's Mustache and up the stairs. But if you're in the mood to mix things up a bit, why not try taking a trip down the stairs and in to the Rock Bottom Brewery? This cozy cave/tavern (cavern?) is the perfect place to check in on a chilly day.
With a solid selection of standard pub fare (sandwiches, burgers, pastas, salads, etc), the menu has something for everyone. They've got a great selection of beers on tap (it is a microbrewery after all) and a decent wine list. The service is generally quick and efficient, and the odds are good that you'll find something worth watching on one of their multiple TVs while you're waiting for food to arrive (or when there's an uncomfortable lull in the dinner conversation).
For extra bang for your buck, check out their lunch specials. They usually have 2-3 daily offerings, all coming in at about $8, so it's a great destination for a tasty and reasonably priced meal.Listed in: Along the Garden Route
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Review from Nick B.
Halifax, NS
3/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I frequently lament that I've taken so long to find a place. Rock Bottom is a perfect example.
Last night I went to yoga (at Moksha) starving - so on leaving with my entourage we decided to find beer and something to eat and this was the suggestion. Imagine my pleasant surprise to discover a special... buy one sandwich (including burgers), get the second 50% off. Since my wife was as hungry as I was, that's what we went for. She had the turkey avocado burger with roasted potatoes, I chose the Beef Bacon Pork burger, which I guess has a patty which is made from a mixture of ground beef and ground pork which they proudly boast is sourced from the Pork Shop in Denmark NS (in my neck of the woods, residentially speaking).
Served on ciabatta buns, both burgers were impressive. Very flavourful, well appointed with fresh veggies including some of the nicest looking tomato slices I've seen all winter. My burger also had a few fried onions on the top, which were a good complement. Fries weren't greasy, nice and crisp and very good overall. The turkey burger, that's something I'd normally pass on but trying an obligatory bite I'd say I'd try it again.
My non-dining companion and I both had their IPA - it was actually excellent, nice bitter finish. My wife had the stout which didn't completely impress but at the same time wasn't too hard done by to finsih it.
If it wasn't for my hour drive home I'd definitely have stayed for trivia. I'll be back to try that. -
Review from Desiree M.
Halifax, NS
5/16/2011
So we went here because we had a ten dollar gift certificate and the boyfriend is a fan of micro breweries. We got there a little past 11pm, and it was surprisingly empty. Apparently it's like that after 10, and it's more of a restaurant than a bar. Who knew from the name.
We got some nachos and some potato skins to share. We had asked for no olives on the nachos, and wouldn't you know it, they arrived covered in the little black things. We brought it to our server's attention, who got us a new plate right away. And I can honestly say that I've never tasted a more delicious salsa.
For drinks I got a delicious combo of hot chocolate and coconut rum, that came with whipped cream on top. Lukas asked for the wheat beer, keen indeed on trying it - but they were out. He got the red instead, and he said it was alright.
The only other people in the dining room was a large, extremely loud group. And I mean, they were really screaming. The manager even had to go over a couple times and ask them to keep it down.
All in all, pretty good place but nothing special enough for us to go back again. -
Review from Jens G.
Halifax, NS
10/24/2010
Its all about atmosphere when you go for a drink and Rock Bottom is far from being rock bottom. Recently back from London, UK and visiting more then a few pubs, Rock Bottom rocks the look of typical modern London pubs with flat screen TV's showing sports highlights, volume turned off makes for a great background lighting.
Service was great, meaning only contact was required to get the bartenders attention. He wasn't too keen knowledge wise regarding beer brewed on site. Though the fast friendly service made up it.
I didn't have a go at the menu as we just came from Victor's with full stomachs. That menu and experience is well, a story for another time.
All in all I"m glad I went. They advertise a fare bit and it was about time to see what all the buzz is about. I'll be back. -
Review from Emily W.
Halifax, NS
11/14/2010
This was a good restaurant with good food and a nice atmosphere.
The first time i had the turkey and avacado burger with cranberry mayo and i still think about it months later. their spicy sausage dip was delicious, however the pitas were very greasy - but we were there on saturday night, when they have their appetizers on for half price.
great place to go for just a drink, as they brew their own unique flavors of beer as well as have a great selection of draft and other liquors. -
Review from Lacey H.
3/3/2010
Rock Bottom trivia is a good time. So many people flock to this underground pub every Tuesday to battle it out in a game of useless facts to win gift certificates (equaling free pitchers and nachos).
1. Arrive early; you want enough seats for all of your teammates' bums. Also, it's nice to be somewhere in the middle - not too close to the host, but not over in the echelons of never-never land.
2. Be prepared to access all areas of your brain. From science to pop-culture, you need to be ready to think hard for the answers. I recommend having expert teammates in all categories.
3. Don't be a jerk. Shouting out answers and being overly rambunctious will create distaste in the mouths of your adversaries. Play it cool and stay focused.
4. Drink slowly. You don't want to be sloppy by the second round - you won't win and thus, won't have a shot at the sweet Rock Bottom dollars, ultimately paying your way through the night.
5. Don't even think about cheating. Technology will be your demise, not only in the eyes of others but you'll lose self-respect, and that's much worse than any jibe the trivia-host can take at you.
Okay, I think I've covered the basics. Order a bottle of wine (you can get one for $22) and perhaps an appy as the night creeps on. Be clever, be respectful - and if you're like me and my teammates, perhaps you'll win a round or three. -
Review from Shawna D.
Chester, NS
7/17/2010
Rock Bottom Brewery ; we stopped in here only for a drink. I passed on getting the food, the reviews have been mixed and I did not want to try my luck.
But the pup itself is ok, the staff is normal, nothing out of the ordinary. I would like to go on the night of trivial pursuit. I played that at the local tavern here and it was fun. I did learn that people take this very seriously, so I do not want to go with any S- - - disturbers. -
Review from Rick J.
Bolton, ON
8/1/2010
Rockbottom shares an entrance with Your Father's Moustache - walk in the door and head up for Moustache, down for Rockbottom. The look is reminiscent of a Milestone's with lots of dark colours and large booths, finely dressed and friendly waitstaff awaiting your arrival.
They brew their own beers and offer flights if you're into them. They alerted me right off the bat that their Brown was no longer in stock, replaced with a Jalapeno beer(!?) instead. I opted to try it alongside the Stout, Ale, IPA, Wheat and Red. None particularly stood out as anything incredible, but all were adequate and better than your standard macro fare anywhere else. The Jalapeno beer is worth noting simply for really smelling of fresh jalapenos and tasting of them as well. Not so much your face burns but you definitely know what you're drinking, what a curious and welcome addition.
The food isn't exactly cheap and I settled for a standard burger at $8.25. I'd be shocked if they make them there as I was presented with a pedestrian, perfectly machine-formed patty that I'd swear was frozen until moments earlier. Nothing bad, but nothing worth going out of your way for. -
Review from Laura P.
Toronto, ON
5/21/2010
Rock Bottom's menu gave wind to some pretty promising pub-fare selections. Squash Soup, Haddock Almondine, Baked Goat Cheese-- now these were some dishes I could dig.
Unfortunately, I must report a less than delicious experience at Rock Bottom's. Not excruciatingly so, but it was enough to decrease the likelihood of another visit.
I ordered the Squash Soup and Haddock Almondine for my meal, and was looking forward to this full-bodied splurge. While waiting, I noted the atmosphere as a bit tight, but relaxed and comfortable. Service seemed like nothing extraordinary, but it all went fairly smoothly; just no leaps and bounds present.
The meal as a whole didn't quite cut it. Both the soup and haddock seemed much more appetizing in theory than actuality. Presentation, portions, taste-- it was all a bit "meh". I appreciate options for pub-fare other than chicken wings, but if you are going to do it, do it right. And for such pricing, I just didn't think it was worth it.
The trivia night sounds like it could be fun, and they've got lots of local brews. As for a meal? I'll look elsewhere. -
Review from Katie M.
Halifax, NS
3/21/2010
The Rock Bottom Brewery is a small basement restaurant and bar that serves amongst other beverages, a variety of their own brewed beers. The atmosphere at this restaurant is pretty relaxed, the huge pub chairs are comfortable whether you are just grabbing a drink or settling down to dinner.
I've visited for dinner as well as for trivia on a Tuesday night. The food at Rock Bottom is pretty good, but a bit too pricey for me to frequent very often. I enjoyed their the Rock Bottom Pale Ale but like the food, it isn't the most affordable purchase in the city.
Trivia at Rock Bottom is a huge draw, and people take it very seriously! I was texting a friend while there and almost got accused of cheating by using my cell phone. Don't take your chances, play by the rules.
Hot Hint: The brewery is open 7 days a week and boasts some of the longest hours for a restaurant/bar in the city. A great place to get a relaxed, late night drink. -
Review from Courtney M.
Halifax, NS
4/26/2010
I had pretty high hopes for the Rock Bottom Brewery - yeah local brews! Having been in twice now though I can't say that this place will be working its way into the regular rotation. Both times i've been in the food has been pretty sub par. Considering that this place charges a few more dollar / plate than its brother upstairs, I couldn't really justify this shift in quality or the additional cost. Perhaps i'll head in again but i'll be sure to avoid the Thai pizza as well as the Turkey burger. Especially with the patio's opening, why not just head upstairs?
