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The Seahorse Tavern
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Nightlife Bars Pubs Music Venues, Pubs [Edit]
1665 Argyle StHalifax, NS B3J 1A1
(902) 423-7200
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
19 reviews for The Seahorse Tavern
19 reviews in English
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Review from Robin S.
Halifax, NS
12/10/2011
We need more spots like this in Halifax. It's comfortable, low-key and funky with an awesome stage. The music sounds great! And also, two words. Okay, one word: Horsepower!
I'm a beer lover so I appreciate a unique brew. I'm not a big fan of overly bitter brews, but the Horsepower hits just the right balance.
The only thing I hate about the Seahorse? The dance floor. Concrete is a terrible dance surface. When my friends and I go there to swing dance to the Jubilee Swing Orchestra, we have definite issues. It's a very slow floor with the occasional divet in the concrete that you can catch your foot in. It's also very crowded, especially for a big dance like swing. I didn't really vote this venue down for this though, since I know swing dancers are a niche market!
Still! I wish some magic would roll through the Seahorse one night and make the dance floor hardwood and remove the rails surrounding it. Dare to dream, man. Dare to dream.Listed in: Best of Beers
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Review from Jason D.
Halifax, NS
11/16/2011 ROTD 12/15/2011
Ive only been here once. It was halloween...I had a great time.
There was an Iron Maiden cover band playing...they made my night. Although I rarely go to the bars, I will be there everytime "2 minutes to Madien" play. I guess its the only spot in Halifax they play.
They whole night the service was great, but I tip. I notice alot of people around here dont. Broke students? just dont get pissy when I get my drink first.
The bar is in the basement. Its not overly big but plenty of room for the local/outta town bands it showcases. I had no problems with any of the staff like others have suggested......but Ive only been there on the one night. -
Review from Holly B.
Dartmouth, NS
3/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Measha B. was playing tonight - amazing. She gets 10 stars. The Seahorse is okay, but not anything to write home about.
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Review from Philip H.
Halifax, NS
8/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Oh Seahorse... we've been though good times and bad... and I still keep coming back for more. Over the last 2 decades I've seem them go though several renovations, but keeping the same "basement bar" appeal. I think the fact that there are no windows, dark walls, loud music appeals to my dark side.
On the food side they are not too bad. Typical pub fair, no real presentation, just flop the food in front of you to eat something before you pour gallons of beer into your belly. I kinda like that (in a bar).
A cool place to see some small indi bands in Halifax. The stage is a little hard to see if it's packed, capacity is about 260 people, and when they fill it it's standing room only. Get there early and grab a seat up front!
Not wheelchair accessible and no wi-fi. -
Review from Breighan H.
Halifax, NS
3/31/2011
This review might be a little fuzzy. Granted I didn't predrink before going out last Saturday to see Fredericton's We, the Undersigned; Moncton's Iron Giant; and Montreal's always awesome Trigger Efefect, but I did get a little intoxicated. The Seahorse has a cool, old-timey feel. It was the first Halifax establishment licenced to sell beer way back in the '40s! I wonder what those walls have seen?! I was incredibly grateful to be able to sit at one of their old tables atop a tall stool and get a sweet view of the stage last Saturday after a couple of nights of not sleeping, and working on my feet all day.
I generally go to the Seahorse to see metal shows, whose fans can get a little overexcited shall we say. In the past, I used to resent the Seahorse bouncers for not letting the kids aggressively throw themselves at each other, but as I age, I'm thankful that I can go up to the front and not worry about getting punched in the face while watching some of my favourite bands destroy.
The Seahorse has undergone some sweet renovations and the stage looks nicer with some more lights or something. I remember discussing this with the bf, but this is where the detail gets hazy ;) Anyway, worth checking out if you haven't been there in a while. The bartenders are always friendly, and they always remember what I'm having even when I don't. -
Review from Nick B.
Halifax, NS
4/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I hit the Seahorse the other night to see Sean Ashby, Mick Thomas, and The Lowest of the Low. Great little venue, the sound was really pretty good for a small place, and it just has a really nice feel, a great sort of live music venue.
A decent selection of beers on tap is always good - including their own house draught. It's made by Propeller, they sell it for $3.75/pint, and it's quite drinkable, so much that I probably had too much before I left for the night at 2:30.
Certainly a venue I'll watch for other good acts. -
Review from Annie C.
Kingston, ON
12/22/2010
Saw Rich AuCoin and Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt here one night for a Halloween party in the summer.
Needless to say, it was an experience. Tickets were sort of steep (10 bucks) but you got a discount if you were wearing a costume, which made the crowd pretty entertaining. The bartenders were all super nice and attentive even as the place got packed. Was warned before ordering that I could opt for 5 dollar pints of propeller instead of the 6 dollar other kind from Onterrible. Woohoo!
The show was super fun. The layout inside is nice as they have a main stage and dance floor type area that held a good number and also ample room for wallflowers, head-bobbers and hangers back. Having rotated through all of those roles in one evening I can safely give the Seahorse my seal of approval. -
Review from Katie M.
Halifax, NS
5/17/2010
The Seahorse will always attract a certain clientele. It's dark, a little dirty looking and is in a basement, certainly not a "classy establishment," but that's why it's such a likeable place. It's charm is in the low lighting and occasional rough characters who pony up to the bar (many of whom will often have some great stories to share).
It is also a great venue to catch live music. Every Thursday this place is jammed with people catching the Halifamous Mellotones. They are a great soul and funk band that will almost certainly have you dancing after a few minutes. Be sure to arrive early on nights they play as the bar is sure to fill up.
The Seahorse plays host to a great variety of bands from the aforementioned Mellotones to rock, pop, jazz, metal and hip hop artists. There's always going to be someone playing there you'll enjoy. It's a bar that thrives on live music, and in a city that is painfully lacking venues, it is a staple that deserves your attention. -
Review from Adam B.
Halifax, NS
2/2/2010
Any bar that hosts the mighty White Cowbell Oklahoma two years in a row gets five stars from me automatically. Luckily for me, even if the Sea Horse passed on these chainsaw wielding maniacs they would still wind up with the same rating.
Plain and simple, I love the Seahorse. I love that it is in a basement, I love that it is probably even more filthy looking with the lights on, I love the bands that play here, I love the great times at music trivia, the sketchy bathrooms, the fun bartenders, the fishtank...I could go on.
The Seahorse is what a dive bar is supposed to be. A place where, if I may quote from It's A Wonderful Life, "we serve hard drinks for men who want to get drunk fast."
There's nothing classy about this place, there is no put on motif, it is what it is, simply one of the most genuine, character and history filled bars in the city. Probably not for everyone, but definitely for me. Stop in and have a few drinks, band or no band, you'll probably find yourself wanting to come back again soon. -
Review from Courtney M.
Halifax, NS
10/29/2009
Seahorse Tavern is a Halifax mainstay. The most important thing to know about this place is that it's first and foremost, a venue. As Ang M. pointed out, there's really no point in coming here if you aren't into seeing the artist/band playing.
On that note, for $5-$10, the Seahorse is typically cheaper than a lot of bars you could go to that aren't playing live music. Fan favs are definitely the Mellotones who play the Seahorse every Thursday night.
Interesting fact: In the 1940's, The Seahorse was the first establishment in Halifax to be granted a beer license. You gotta figure they're doing something right! Be sure to check out The Seahorse website periodically as they often have great acts in like Matt Mays and The Novaks, and you wouldn't want to miss out on tickets, now would you? -
Review from Laura P.
3/11/2010
The Seahorse is a bit of a dive but its a great spot to go for live music and friendly times. Cover is generally pretty cheap compared to other late night venues and the range in music is pretty vast. Hip-hop, dub step, bluesy funk, electro madness- they do it all. Lots of 'friend of a friend' type bands are always passing through as well, so there's a pretty decent crowd for the most part.
They did a renovation within the last year or so, opening up the back which offers more seating and a spot a bit more secluded from the stage to chill. Its also connected to the Shoe Shop, which is located just up the stairs. A few drinks up or down, you can always switch it up for a change in scenery.
Attention to aesthetic isn't a priority and jager bombs are the drink of choice, but somehow it all just fits. The music is always the main attraction and this spot seems to be the holder of happy nighttime adventures!Listed in: A Weekend Guide for Out of…, Night Timing
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Review from Joshua Y.
Vancouver, BC
10/30/2009
I'm not a fan of seeing bands perform live. But everyone else seems to. Which is why this place gets four stars.
The Seahorse is mainly a place where bands come to play and people come to listen. It is strategically located in one of the busiest downtown parts of Halifax, Argyle Street. It is also connected to the popular Economy Shoe Shop restaurant. So after eating, just walk downstairs and join in on the fun.
There have been a few times when I've gone and had a great time. But I honestly just don't understand why people sit around and watch a band play when you can just as easily workout and listen to the same band on your iphone. But whatever. I won't dock this place stars because its not my thing when I know a lot of other people love the Seahorse Tavern for the very reason I do not.
One time I went, there was a night where people who were experts in whatever they wanted to be experts in, went on stage and did a slide-show about their field of expertise. A friend of mine for example went on stage to talk about how she has had a can of SPAM in photographs with famous celebrities. She is in the film industry so its easy for her to get up close with the giants in Hollywood. So she showed photos of her, the can of spam, and famous Hollywood stars as a presentation. That night was by far one of the best nights I've had at the Seahorse.
The staff are nice enough and work 24/7. The cover, when there is one, can be as low as five dollars or a lot higher. For someone who isn't a fan of watching bands, five dollars can be my limit. But if a friend is playing in the band, I never have a price limit.
As I've said, I'm not a fan of this sort of venue, but everyone I know is. The Seahorse Tavern has been around for a long time and will most likely stick around. They have a winning formula on how to have a great venue in the middle of one of the busiest downtown streets in Halifax and it shows. If you like live bands, head there. If you don't, join me upstairs at the restaurant for a beer and some nachos. -
Review from Ang M.
Halifax, NS
10/27/2009
I wouldn't choose to hang out here unless there was a band I liked playing, but this venue actually gets quite a few music acts that I enjoy.
It's a good spot to see live music, because the bar is pretty small, so you get an up-close and personal music experience. Good for singer-songrwiters, a different experience for hardcore punk, but hey.
The bar tends to draw the college crowd (and lots of young and apparently inexperienced drinkers), despite its fairly famous history as a tough-guy hangout. Let's just say it ain't what it used to be, and that might be a good thing. Still, if you're not there for the band, there's pretty much no other reason to hang there. The pretty people are all upstairs at the Shoe. -
Review from Lindsay K.
Halifax, NS
2/6/2010 1 photo
This was probably the most fun I've had at a bar in Halifax so far. I'd never been to the Seahorse before, and wasn't sure about it at first. I was told that there was a cover charge and live band. I usually find that live bands don't really get the dance floor moving as well as a DJ does, but I was extremely wrong.
As soon as we got inside I could tell it was going to be fun. We were lucky enough to experience the cover band Mello-Tones (I'm not positive of the spelling). They were a nine or ten piece band that focused on different cover songs... not the normal ones... and really knew how to rock the place up. The dance floor was packed with people moving to this band. They were extremely talented and I could see why everyone loves the Seahorse on a Thursday night.
I like that this place is in a basement, even though it doesn't have that feel to it. The ceiling is high enough that you don't feel claustrophobic when spending a couple of hours inside. I also really liked that they served your beer in plastic cups. I've always wondered why more bars don't do this. It seems like they would save on clean-up of broken glass.
All-in-all, the Seahorse provided me with a fun time dancing with friends and listening to great music. Hopefully I get to go back next Thursday for even more fun! -
Review from Lacey H.
2/20/2010
I went to see some friends play last night at the Seahorse. Like most places that host music in this city, it's dark and dingy, which is fine because the place gets the job done.
Drink prices are par for the course and the layout and size are adequate and ample. I wouldn't consider the staff rude, but I also wouldn't dub them friendly - they do their jobs, whether getting you in the door, taking cover, or serving up bevies.
I do find the immense amount of mold on the ceiling of the women's washroom to be fairly disturbing. And on occasion, I have had the odd drop hit me from the ceiling above the dance floor, which is pretty gross. But these are problems that can be fixed with renovations, and aren't always present.
The Seahorse is a fine place to spend the evening. Besides, most of the time you're not heading in to simply indulge in the décor or service, but to see super talented people and fun local bands rock out. -
Review from Shawna D.
Chester, NS
2/20/2010
The Seahorse is one of those places you have to go with a bunch of people. If everyone gets drunk then you are all in the same boat.
Seahorse offers live music and fun, they do get great bands. I have only been there a few times and have always had fun. It is not a regular stop for me but I can see how people really like this place.
If you do not put your expectations high on decor but rather fun and entertainment you will be happy with this choice. -
Review from cheryl d.
Halifax, NS
4/21/2010 1 photo
Seahorse located on Argyle street has been around for years and I remember going there years ago.
Out for a night cap we decided to take a pop into Seahorse. UMMM honestly I am not a big fan of walking down stairs that I would have a hard time getting out if something happened. To me I was like I was in an underworld. One beer and I was gone.
I see that it has changed over time and they now have a seating area behind the entertainment with nice little cafe tables.
Music always did rock here and the people that do go seem to love it. -
Review from Jonathan W.
Calgary, AB
10/4/2009
So the night was pretty quiet. Most places were dead but several locals seemed to be headed here. The seahorse seems like your usual Maritime tavern/pub. I'm sure if you get enough people to gather there, you can find a good time. Too bad the doormen here seem to have no clue. I understand the value of creating a line to attract passerbys, especially on a slow night but it is somewhat ridiculous when the line can see through the windows and realize that there is pretty much no one inside. Second, if you're gonna let buddies saunter in without waiting, at least be discreet and avoid yelling at folks who can't figure out why people seem to wander in clueless to the existence of a line. Then the $7 dollars cover for an empty pub just makes this place hilariously clueless.
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Review from Anna H.
Halifax, NS
12/5/2009
"You know if you drink six of these you get a free roll of toilet paper." Such are the enticing offers that await you at the Seahorse.
But don't let a well stocked toilet paper supply keep you from visiting this bar. Décor highlights include indoor foliage and a huge globe. Propeller brews up a mix of IPA and wheat ale (if I remembering that correctly) especially for them which they call the Horse Power. Or maybe the Power Horse. I got mine by asking the bartender for the beer my friends were drinking that had something to do with horses. Plus, if you drink six of them, you know what awaits you.
Perhaps you'll even be fortunate enough to overhear some charming conversation making its way under the bathroom stalls. "I had a LOT to drink in a very short time before we came! So what are you going to *do* with your life? I want to have a baby." True story. At least it's true that I heard it. I do not know if she actually wants a baby, as she was (admittedly) quite drunk.
