There’s no denying it, nights are long this time of year. Which is why we’re big believers in a night on the town after a day playing in the snow. Feel the same way? Then you’ll find plenty to do here once the sun sinks, whether it’s beer fests, indie music, après-ski fun, or dinner and a show.
Here are a few of our favourite ways to rock NB after dark. Plan something in advance or just see where the night takes you... 🎭 🍻 🎶
Restaurants & Pubs
Sometimes you just want a pint and a snack. Sometimes you want a 5-star top chef experience. Take your pick, because there are plenty of options for both. Irish pubs like O’Donaghue’s, Cask & Kettle, and The Old Triangle are always a crowd favourite. For Asian cuisine head to Thandi Restaurant, Thai Manao, or Mitchan Sushi. Looking for a hotspot? Check out 540 Kitchen & Bar, Cast & Crew Grill, East Coast Bistro, or Tide & Boar Gastropub.
Theatre
Love doing dinner and a show? Then you’ll want to check out New Brunswick theatres, which have packed playbills throughout the winter. You’ll find touring acts, musicals, Francophone shows, local productions, and even one of Canada’s top international ballet companies, the Atlantic Ballet Theatre.
Check out seasonal schedules:
Imperial Theatre, Saint John
Vogue Theatre, Miramichi
Capitol Theatre, Moncton
Live Bait Theatre, Sackville
Théâtre l’Escaouette, Moncton
The Playhouse, Fredericton
Saint John Arts Centre, Saint John
Theatre at Monument-Lefebvre, Memramcook
Edmundston Arts Centre, Edmundston
Comedy Shows
You can catch comedy shows at some of the theatres listed above, but there are also a few locations dedicated entirely to laughs. Head to Chuckles Comedy Club or McSweeney’s Dinner Theatre, and definitely mark your calendar for Moncton’s HubCap Comedy Festival, Jan. 31-Feb 10, which has a stellar lineup of comedians from across Canada.
Cocktails & Craft Beer
The New Brunswick craft beer scene is on fire. In fact, the capital city region around Fredericton has the highest concentration of craft beverage producers in the Canadian maritimes. Craft cocktails are also having their day, with mixologists turning out some serious libations. Fredericton’s 11th Mile, Moncton’s Third Glass and Saint John’s Hopscotch Whisky Bar are especially well-known for their creativity behind the bar. Le Nouvo Caveau in Paquetville also hits the mark every time.
Festivals and Events
If you think festivals and events slow down this time of year, think again. It seems everyone’s ready to turn up the fun when it’s cold out. Here are some local favourites. Be sure to check out the event listings to see everything that’s happening this winter.
Uptown Sparkles, Dec. 7
Fredericton FROSTival, Jan. 24-Feb. 10
Saint John Wine Fair, Feb. 23
Fredericton Craft Beer Festival, March 9
Saint John Annual Beerfest, April 13
Live Music
What’s better than warming up inside with live music on a chilly winter night? Nothing, if you ask us. You’ll find live bands playing in venues all over the province at any given time, from tiny cafes to bars to large venues like Casino New Brunswick. For a great mix of Anglophone and Francophone music, check out Plan B in Moncton. The Capital Complex always has a great mix of bands (it’s also one of the venues for Shivering Songs festival, a total must-do for music lovers), and you can’t go wrong with any of the shows at Pepper’s Pub - it’s right on the boardwalk in Saint John.
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