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The Druid
Categories: Nightlife Bars Pubs Nightlife Dance Clubs Pubs, Dance Clubs [Edit]
11606 Jasper Ave NWEdmonton, AB T5K 0N2
(780) 454-9928
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 2 am
- Music:
- DJ, Karaoke, Live
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Wed, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ages Allowed:
- 18+
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
18 reviews for The Druid
18 reviews in English
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Review from Janine E.
Edmonton, AB
One of my favorite sit down pubs as well as a great weekend bar! The dance floor is pretty big and makes for a lot of fun with friends! The nachos are wonderful (lacking a little bit of cheese however) and let's not forget Sunday night is Comedy night! Comedy night is so much fun to go to and all the staff is super friendly. Conveniently located on Jasper Ave and 116th street it is easily accessible by bus or LRT.
This little Irish Pub is right out of a movie (P.S. I Love You, I would say), the beer is great and being able to sit and talk is even better! When I was there the DJ played almost every request we asked for which made it easy to dance the night away! Definitely check it out! -
Review from Paul N.
11/22/2011
I didn't have a bad experience the first time I went into the Druid, it just wasn't my kind of bar. It was on a Saturday night, it was absolutely packed, and it had a very young crowd. It felt really at odds with the atmosphere of the bar and for some reason, it felt more like a dance club than anything else. It had a unanimously agreed upon "meat market" vibe to it, which is fine, but just not what I'm looking for. I didn't think I'd ever be back.
Six months later, I happened to be walking by with my roommate and we saw a sign for "Musical Bingo" which caught our attention (and "$0.25 wings", which guaranteed that I was going inside). I lived on "Name That Tune" nights in University, so despite my previous experience, I was curious how this would play out.
It was like a completely different bar.
In fact, it felt more like a pub, which is exactly how it looks, and exactly how you would expect it to feel. Suddenly the place was comfortable, fun, and full (but not packed) of friendly people. Musical Bingo is a blast; I've been back probably half a dozen times since that first night, and each time with a larger and larger group of friends who are interested in checking it out. It's the perfect balance of "fun" and "you don't really have to pay attention" to act as a catalyst for really good, light conversation with large groups of people. The prizes are fantastic (gift certificates, paying your tab, etc) and the 90 seconds of each Top 40 (from all different eras) song that the DJ plays is just long enough for you to get into it, sing along at the top of your lungs, and then move on the next one.
The wings are in the top 10th percentile of cheap wings in Edmonton...lots of meat, great and tasty sauces without smothering the wings in them, and they're TWENTY-FIVE cents! They also have cheap beer on Monday nights. I find all the people that work there extremely friendly and welcoming. I called to see if I could get an order of cheap wings for take-out (you can't, not surprisingly. Never hurts to ask, right?), and the guy sounded genuinely heartbroken to have to tell me no. He apologized profusely.
I've been to the Druid almost every Monday night week since that first Musical Bingo. I'll continue to avoid it on weekends, but on Monday, it's one of my favourite spots in Edmonton. If I was rating it based on Monday, I'd give it a 4; if I was rating it based on the weekend, it would be a 2...that's why I gave it 3 stars. -
Review from Brittany K.
Edmonton, AB
11/24/2011
The Druid stands out for a couple of reasons. One, it's not part of that crazy busy area along Jasper between 107th and 110th (ish). Two, it doesn't seem to know if it's a pub of a club. I guess it depends which day of the week you go and what time of the night you go.
It's an Irish type drinking establishment much of the time with a pretty cool vibe. They seem to do a lot of fundraiser nights for things like rugby clubs and the like.
But swing by on Friday or Saturday night and you can get ready to 1) stand in line, probably, and 2) paaaaarty. Club music and a makeshift dance floor set the stage. Shots! Shots! Shots! -
Review from Jacqueline S.
Edmonton, AB
5/11/2011 11 Check-ins Here
The Druid has two faces. One is the weeknight/daytime Irish pub face, and the other is the weekend/giant lineup of underdressed people face. I avoid the latter as much as possible, so I'm mostly talking about the Druid the Irish pub.
They've recently redone their menu, and for what I've tried, it's pretty good. I've had the shepherd's pie a couple times, and their Irish potato nachos (cheap on Fridays!) are tasty. They also do lunchtime specials and weekend brunch, although I haven't been to check out the new brunch.
They have a bunch of weeknight events... open mics, cheap mini-burgers, etc. with drink specials on those nights as well. Their regular drink prices are, I suppose kind of mid-range, but I'm cheap and so I like to take advantage of whatever drink specials are on.
On Friday and Saturday nights, expect to be packed in with a bunch of bar stars. The rest of the time, it's pretty pleasant inside. They don't have a patio, but they do have a few seats next to big windows on the east side which are the next best thing.Listed in: Beer!
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Review from Karlie M.
3/21/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I like The Druid. Great location on Jasper Ave and 116 Street, big on the inside, not usually too crazy crowded on the weekends, and good specials during the week. They used to have a pretty good trivia night on Mondays, but got rid of it for some reason. They have open mic night on Tuesday and karaoke on Wednesdays. I've never eaten at The Druid, but their menu looks pretty extensive for a pub - quite a few appetizers, wings, sandwiches, burgers, pizza and some bigger mains.
The place definitely does what most pubs in Edmonton do, and turns into a club on Friday and Saturday nights after 9pm. There is a $5 cover on these nights, I think after 10 or 10:30pm (correct me if I'm wrong). The DJ can be hit and miss. The last time I was in there on a Saturday, he was playing some sweet old school hip hop, some MJ, the typical Don't Stop Believing, throwing in some Celtic tunes and then all of a sudden, Hootie and the Blowfish. I didn't quite understand that one - maybe someone requested it. The dance floor isn't big by any means, but it isn't the smallest one I've ever seen. It is sufficient.
Service here is decent, nothing outstanding either way. I've certainly never had a problem here. They have an alright sized parking lot in the back, and if you're lucky you'll get a spot. If you feel like a couple of pints during the week, or like dancing after dinner on the weekend, The Druid is a good spot to check out.Listed in: I love the nightlife, My downtown
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Review from Robyn W.
5/3/2011
I am reviewing the Druid as a restaurant/pub since I am far too stodgy to to visit in the evening when it goes all "dance-clubby".
From what I experienced - it should stick with the drinks.
The service was inattentive, at best.
The food? Worse than the service.
Nothing really tasted like much; the chicken sandwich was dry, the mashed potatoes were bland, the beef sandwich was tough, the burger seemed like the dinner-winner, but after a few bites the BBQ sauce overpowered everything else.
Obviously, their main focus isn't the dinner crowd, but if you are going to put out a full menu and invite people in to eat, you should at least put a little effort into making it good. -
Review from Rachel F.
7/5/2011
The Druid is our neighbourhood pub, very close to where we live. That makes it a great place to go for a quick bite when we don't want to cook. They have decent drink specials, and if you get there before 8 or 9, you can usually miss the rowdy crowds and just get some decent pub food.
It's the pub food that they do well. The Fishwich (fish sandwich) and dill pickle spears are outstanding. The fish and chips and the veggie wrap are good, and surprisingly, so is the Irish salad. Just don't get the Spring Salmon Salad. Bland.
A couple of things: Their nacho night looks interesting, but it comes with meat and you have to pay extra for cheese. If that sounds odd to you, that's because it is. Vegetarians, don't go on nacho night!
And finally, service can be spotty. It ranges from decent (though never outstanding) to horrendous. The last time we went, our server (Leslie) would only come to our table when I stood up and flagged her down or when I went to the bar to get drink refills. Our empty plates sat on our table for over 30 minutes after we finished our meal, even though our server brought us our long-awaited waters during that time (after being flagged down). We had wanted dessert. So we waited for her to come and check on us. Then, as time passed, we decided, "well, maybe we'll get it to go." Twenty more minutes passed and I finally was able to flag down our server, and at that point we just needed to leave. Our check took another ten minutes to come.
In summary: food - okay, if you stick with the pub food. Service - usually fairly decent, though the last time was by far, the worst service experience I have had in Edmonton. -
Review from Heather D.
Redwater, AB
10/20/2011
OMG seriuously the best burger by far inthe universe! the service excellent!
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Review from Kerri W.
Banff, AB
10/1/2008 2 photos
It's never easy watching the Oilers getting their asses kicked by the Flames but even that can't dampen the mood of this watering hole. The atmosphere is comfortable, adorned with Gaelic knots and sayings and inviting furnishings.
The semi-cavernous Irish decor adds a homey feel. I saw a couple of guys reading books! It's a laid back place where you can just go and enjoy a pint of your favourite brew and catch the game or some live entertainment. I must say I was far more interested in the band setting up than the hockey game last night.
I ordered a bottle of Keith's and browsed the menu. I was impressed by the traditional Irish fare alongside the bar food regulars. I'm definitely going back for some good 'ole Irish stew.
Weeknights are pretty tame at The Druid, especially early in the evening but weekends I've seen lineups around the corner. It's a popular spot with the locals which is no surprise considering the live music and friendly staff.
Sláinte! -
Review from Jer B.
Windsor, ON
5/17/2009
We stopped in here last Friday walking home from a restaurant. What made us go in was the $3 coronas they had advertised outside on a Friday night. The inside is classic Irish pub.
As the night went on it seemed to get a bit too much like a club for an Irish pub though. From my experiences with pubs you'd think they would have had someone playing guitar. -
Review from Francesca K.
Edmonton, AB
3/17/2010
This place plays itself off as an Irish pub, but it is far from it.
This place is basically a club in Irish clothing. I often see events posted on the sign they have outside, and if you drive past in the late evening you can often see a plethora of smokers or people in line outside of the druid.
I haven't been here in a really long time, and for good reason -- it sucks. This place gets super loud and filled with drunks. It is not a good place to go if you want to have a beer and have a good conversation with your friends.
If you do want to get gooned and dance on a tiny dance floor, head to the druid. I am sure the other drunks here will welcome you with open arms and you will all have a great time! -
Review from Andre D.
Edmonton, AB
6/9/2011
On my way home, I noticed a sign mentioning The Druid was the Boston Bruins HQ during the Stanley Cup Finals. Since I'm not a bandwagon jumper like the majority of westerners I've met, and being the s*it disturber that I am, I finally found a reason to visit this joint.
It has a pretty nice decor and not your typical pub atmosphere. I asked my friend if this place went under any recent renovations. It just seems very inviting and a place I would revisit.
So why the 3 stars? Although the menu and service were pretty good, I was turned off by the burger I had as it was a bit charred on my last few bites. Other than that it was fine. -
Review from Jack G.
Edmonton, AB
11/18/2009
The Druid is definitely a club..
OK, maybe a pub by day and a club by night.
As much as it looks like a great Irish pub on the inside it turns into a club at night. The top 40 hits start pounding out of the speakers and the dance floor gets taken over by the locals that just want to dance the night away. The dance floor is really small but the rest of the place is pretty big. I think a lot of people come here for drinks and end up staying through the night. The longer I am at druid the more fun I have just standing around, having drinks with friend's and talking about nothing and everything at the same time.
It never loses the pub feeling even when the music gets turned up, so no one ever feels awkward just standing around the bar. -
Review from Stephen R.
Red Deer, AB
4/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
I appreciated having a late Saturday breakfast of smoked salmon eggs Benedict with a tea AND a Guinness with my 11 year old son. I didn't have to choose between the standard fare of a kid friendly 'family restaurant' and a refreshing pint in an oasis of calm.
The service was awesome, the place clean with a minimum of paddywhackery even with St Patricks Day in 4 days! Just the typical Guinness encrusted walls and mirrors. A decent selection of Irish whiskey and single malt scotch was behind the bar. The TVs were muted and conversation at other tables subdued. The clientele were mostly men in their 50s and up, but there was a trio of dressed to kill 20-something women who seemed oddly out of place at 2pm. The music shifted from unobtrusive to euro-pop of some kind; what do I know, I'm over 40 and a curmudgeon in training. I would have appreciated something more in tune with the surroundings but perhaps it was the start of the weekend metamorphosis from pub to club hinted at by the posters for jagerbomb Saturdays.
They offer poutine and pizza but also ploughman's platter or black pudding as part of a full Irish breakfast. Something for everyone!
The hollandaise was merely adequate, but far better than Smitty's attempts. The smoked salmon was very good, and the eggs were perfection! The fries in the poutine were great, but the gravy salty instant stuff, and the cheese only half melted.
Like the Druid itself, the food was a mixed bag: some very good, some merely acceptable. If I were a local I can see this becoming a regular daytime destination; and if becoming a club on weekend nights is what it takes to sustain the quieter pub vibe during the week, then I'm all for it. -
Review from Paula K.
2/4/2011
I have probably passed The Druid hundreds of times on my way down Jasper Avenue, and finally got a chance to give it a try. I wasn't impressed. The place was large and spacious, but there are only so many songs by The Cranberries blasting overhead that I can take before I start to feel antsy. And I like Celtic music. However, that wasn't the main problem. The staff spent most of their time congregating together instead of dealing with customers (granted, it wasn't all that busy), our server was sick and coughing into her hands and then handling glasses of beer, and we weren't even offered menus. I did not feel like eating, but I was interested in knowing what was being served. Judging from the other positive reviews here, I may be willing to give The Druid another chance, but with the excellent Black Sheep Pub just a few blocks away there are other options for my drinking dollar downtown.
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Review from Lauren N.
11/3/2008
I don't usually frequent pubs, but I liked the atmosphere of the Druid. Even when it starts getting a bit busier throughout the night, it still maintains a relaxed atmosphere. There are comfortable booth seats to just sit with friends and chat over drinks, in addition to the bar seating. I also liked the dark coziness inside. Even though I've never been in a real Irish pub before, I'm guessing the Druid is one of the closest things to it in Edmonton. The dance floor is kind of small, but the place doesn't really have the right atmosphere for dancing anyway -- it's definitely not a club. But since I'm not 19 anymore, I think this is okay. It's better to have a fun and cool place like this just to hang out, instead of always having to flaunt an image.
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Review from Maria F.
11/5/2009 1 photo
Druid is definitely a pub and not a dance club. I come here to drink beer, talk with friends and occasionally listen to people attempting to wow the crowd with their singing skills during Karaoke wednesdays. The Druid is located at a busy intersection, and whenever I drive by, I notice that the place is never empty. During summer months, Druid opens its windows (since there's no patio), and people can enjoy their food and drinks while breathing in some fresh air. The menu consists of salads, pizza and sandwiches. This place is a popular meeting spot for hockey enthusiasts, and when the hockey season is in its full glory, Druid becomes one loud pub!
The dance floor here is extremely small and frankly I have never seen people dance here. The atmosphere at Druid is relaxed most of the time, and is more suited for people over 20 who are looking to spend their weekend nights in a civilized manner since Druid gives out "this place is upscale" vibe. -
Review from Jennifer P.
Edmonton, AB
10/6/2008 1 photo
I've seen more coatless girls dressed up in skimpy get 'ups standing in line in the dead of winter to get into this place, than my mind can comprehend. The Druid is a fun, lively place to go and drink on a Friday or Saturday night. Many people would concur, so it seems. It's great people-watching. There's lots of eye candy, as everyone's dressed like their trying to be Edmonton's next Top Model. I learned my lesson not to go there looking all frumpy. It's a sure-fire way to feel like an old maid in about five seconds. I've had the most fun here dancing up a storm. By the time it gets rolling, everyone is too drunk to care what they look like, so there's some pretty entertaining stuff going on under the disco ball as the night wears on. The service is great here, and the bouncers are courteous. This place has lots of stagettes and pub crawls come through. So if you like chewing candies off of the t-shirts of brides-to-be, or hitting on their sloshed single accomplices, this is your kinda place. Cheap thrills a-plenty here. Even the guys get all dolled up - fresh-shaven, coiffed and ready (If you know what I mean). I like to cozy up in a booth at the back with my honey, order some appies and drink beer. It goes down smooth and we tune in. The Druid is better than Saturday night television.
Listed in: The Places I Go Out
