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The Phoenix Bar & Grill
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
3 reviews for The Phoenix Bar & Grill
3 reviews in English
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Review from Randy G.
Toronto, ON
4/22/2009
It won't let me enter the entire phone number... you want extension 24405.
Maybe it's just the shoddy competition (take my Quarters... please!), but for my money The Phoenix is the best bar on campus at McMaster. That there are really only the two makes it an easy contest to win, but the Phoenix doesn't disappoint.
We start with fairly generous seating areas - I've seldom had trouble finding a table, yet the place is always buzzing. It also smells a bit, as one would expect from a campus pub. The building it occupies has been rumoured or actually slated for demolition several times - and may even now be on the chopping block, I have no idea - which somehow adds to its charm for me. The little bar that could.
Food selection is pretty good - burgers, salads, fries, nachos, wings, etc. Standard pub fare for the most part, but there are a few student favourites in there that I know I'm forgetting. I know for sure that the deep-fried Macaroni and Cheese was a big favourite of my friends', but last I checked they'd pulled it from the menu. Everything's reasonably priced and tasty, tasty, tasty.
Beer selection is very good - you'll find standard stuff, as well as bigger-name local stuff (like Steam Whistle), and smaller-name local brews as well. I was delighted to find that they served Oakville-based Cameron's on one visit. I also recall seeing Guelph-based Wellington Brewery on the list on a recent visit. Suffice to say it's a far cry from the standard Coors, Blue, and Canadian.
The bar is run by the Graduate Student Association on campus (and, depending on who you ask, is either the biggest or only saving grace of that organization). This means that your likelihood of being served by your TA is incredibly high - perhaps not for the timid, but it can lead to good times if you're up to it.
I know there's stuff I'm leaving out. The patio is huge, and contains a large grill that the kitchen staff make use of when the weather's right. Big screens are available for those so inclined, as well as video games - but overall I think the highest praise one can give The Phoenix is that it seems to be (or at least was) the preferred bar for the Engineering set at McMaster. I can personally think of no higher praise... but as an Engineering grad, I might be a bit biased in that regard. -
Review from Justin L.
Hamilton, ON
12/3/2009
Great on campus restaurant.
The selection consists of the usual bar food, but it's made well and the prices are reasonable. This place is a great place to go in the summer since they have an outdoor patio. The times I've been there, it's been busy but there was always a place to sit. Overall, my favorite place to go with friends on campus. -
Review from Denise S.
4/21/2010
Great campus pub! Decent food and prices are better than anywhere else on campus (university-run cafeterias are overpriced). Great burgers, wraps, daily specials, and the classic - Phoenix fries (basically nacho toppings like tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, etc. served over fries)! Staff are always patient and friendly. Lots of space both inside or on the patio, so it's a great place to come with a big group. Lots of grad students here, as well as profs, medical students, etc. It's a lot more relaxed and less undergrad-y compared to the other campus bar, Quarters. There are a bunch of TV's around the bar, good if you are into sports I suppose. They also host lots of student-run events throughout the year, such as fashion shows, open mic, etc.
