Red Hot Chili Pepper - St. Catharines

The Red Hot Chili Pepper ...

Arguably the most popular destination of all on a Friday night in downtown St. Catharines. This pub/club hybrid has easily worked itself up the ranks as the most exciting and chaotic spots in all of the region.

Pepper = insurance. I say this because any given weekend you can expect to see a line build around the mighty building around 11 p.m. This ensures that you will be able to bounce around and socialize with a few others, as it provides that excellent social setting created by a mixture of both Brock and Niagara College students. Another great element of The Red Hot Chili Pepper is that you have the benefit of mingling with not only the local community but it is always interesting to met students who grew up elsewhere, and are just living in the area to study. I have made many, many friends inside of this close quarters "convo-inducing" venue.

One of the most appealing assets that Pepper has to offer, is a two level layout which accommodates for almost all types of nightly objectives. Do you just want to meet old/new friends in a more relaxed lounge type ? How does a table, a few pitchers ($12), and some live music sound ? If this is you, than the basement at Pepper is ideal. They have a separate bar as well, reducing drink lines.

If your like me, and sitting with drinks will only hold your attention for a maximum of an hour while EDM / Top40 / HipHop / House beats are dropping all around you, it is time to head upstairs. Welcome to another world, the atmosphere on the top level of Pepper is incredible as you are hit with a wall of energy. Patrick Doody is known to make appearances here as one of Niagara's PREMIER DJ's, expect to move your body.

Cover: $3-4
Atmosphere: Busy / First year / Loud
Cost: $3 mixers / $4 beer / $12 pitchers  
Size: Be thankful that there is two floors!

L3 - St. Catharines

Originally named Level 3, this St. Catharines hot spot has now officially adopted the catchy abbreviation, L3, as the name for the venue.

L3 is located directly on the corner of James St. and St. Paul, across from the Scotiabank. L3 is a trusted source of entertainment every single weekend as hundreds of Brock and Niagara College students flock to the front doors. Now, since we are speaking about the front doors and the large amount of people who have L3 on their radar this weekend, expect a notorious line up to get inside anytime after 11 p.m. I believe this is due to the fact they are one of the only venues who open their doors at 9 p.m. as opposed to the industry norm, 10.pm.

Couldn't find the photographers, let me take a SELFIE !

L3 is famous for their student engagement as far as staff. If you are a Niagara College or Brock student, you more than likely will know at least one of the bartenders, security, coat check or shooter girls. This gives L3 a real community feel and sense of comfort or familiarity, this adds to the appeal and why L3 is rammed practically every weekend.

Once you are in L3, there is a large bar to your right where drinks are served at $3.50 and pitchers of domestic beer at $13. For the average student, this is a price that you cannot compare.

The biggest gimmick of L3 has to come from the layout and its relevance to the venues name. There is actually three levels of fun inside. The bottom floor has a pub kind-of atmosphere which is well lit with tables, booths, couches and the ever popular foosball table.

The middle floor has a lounge ambiance which holds all of the VIP section for those in groups who have chosen to bypass line and have a designated seating area and exclusive bottle of vodka. There is quite a few tables and chairs for people to hang out here, although since this is the same floor people are admitted into the club on, it tends to get quite busy.

Now, the top floor is where all the fun is at ! It is home to the massive dance floor and stage that are packed as people boogie down to Top40, House, Club Anthems, and Mashups all night. The AV showcase at L3 is also quite impressive with a mixture of bass activated strobe, lasers, and lights which flash to the bass line of the DJ's mixes. 

Cover: $3.
Atmosphere: Students, dress code, busy, energetic.
Cost: $3-4 cocktails and beer, $13 drinks, $3 coat check.
Size: Large dance floor, 3 levels.

Club Absinthe - Hamilton

"Come see what everybody is talking about"

Hamilton ? why of course, for this weeks blog post I actually took a little adventure up the QEW.

Club Absinthe is a smaller venue in comparison to some of the others I have written about in my prior blog. This is no way means that it is a reflection of the punch this place can pack.

On most nights at Club Absinthe, you will be listening to local bands and indie artists, they play a variety of:  
Rock 
Hardcore 
Ska

World famous VARGA playing at Club Absinthe

MTV's RiFF RAFF and myself @ClubAbsinthe

Although it was only my first time attending Club Absinthe, despite its different atmosphere and rock star persona, immediately upon entrance you feel a sense of welcoming. I had traveled to Hamilton with 2 others who had not been to Absinthe either, all of us were really pleased with the location and the staff. We were served by a female bartender who dawned a massive Russian hat with pride, and we absolutely ate it up!




Granting all this, I was not in attendance for the purpose of a rock show, I had an amazing time watching a hip hop concert in the venue. I thought this was a great showcase of its adaptability and versatility. Naturally observant, I always am looking at the decor of clubs to see exactly who could perform their with relevance to their genre and if any guests would feel "out of their element". Not here, Club Absinthe is a big two thumbs up for style and fun ambiance.
And yes, they DO serve Absinthe! 

Cover: Hard to say, as it varies on the show    
Atmosphere: Rockish / Mod / Trend 

Cost: $5 beers $5 drinks                                  
Size: Smaller to mid size venue (upstairs lounge)

Rumours Nightclub - Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls OLDEST and LARGEST nightlife attraction - est.1981

 Have you heard any of the rumours about Rumours ? Okay, so the venue is extremely well located at the high mid-point of Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls. This definitely helps with the clubs regular attendance, as any travelers, or couples staying in the surrounding area will really be given the option of a rather expensive night at Dragonfly Nightclub or here, at Rumours .

Rumours offers a FREE Ladies Night event every Friday night, and this is quite a popular time for the club as there is no cover charge at all for admission to the club if your a lady, on Fridays.

Cover:  ladies free Fridays, otherwise it ranges but for an regular non-event night, $5.

Atmosphere: higher class but not full formal. Dress smart.

Cost: Drinks are moderately priced. There is cheaper but there is defnitely more expensive. No complaints at $3-5 drinks

Size: Rumours is a relatively large club in comparison. Booths and seating pushed outwards make the dance floor and lounge very spacious.

All in all, you are guaranteed to have a good time at Rumours as the play Dance/ Top 40/ House all night by highly recognized resident DJ Oz-E. You are in the middle of tourist central, the mighty falls is just seconds away, music is great, lots of people, and the staff and venue are always very professional. I have met numerous people here who have come over from the U.S. and have become very good friends to me, and I will always remember Rumours as the famous meeting place of our first encounter !

Cache - St. Catharines

KEEPING ST. CATHARINES CLASSY

As you walk into the front doors of Cache any given night - expect to hear some of the most amazing live and energetic DJ sets in the area.

This is the club for any urban music lover. They have taken a different approach to nightlife and entertainment over at Cache. They have totally established themselves as a mature and strictly professional venue. I frequent the Upscale Thursdays and always leave with a smile on my face. Friendly coat check staff welcome you as you drop around $5 in cover charge, although with that price you are admitted to the club and your jacket is taken care of in an underground room (peace of mind - coat thieves are more apparent than even).

Cover: $5

Atmosphere: Classy, social, mature, fun

Prices: Extensive premium beer selection, VQA wines, premium spirits / $2 - $6

Size: Small - when 1600+ sq.ft patio is closed in winter months



The atmosphere of Cache is one that instantly makes you want move, there is an involuntary hip shaking and shoulder popping notion that comes with using international DJs ! Cache is unique in its sense of variety throughout the week. Many do not know that Cache is a very trendy tapas and cocktail bar in the day featuring light lounge-house music. Also, with the addition of a new fully licensed 1600 sq. ft patio that is absolutely beautiful in the summer month, makes me consider Cache as the most impressive venue on a weekly basis. In the nightlife category they also score big with their options available, their different themed nights are as follows:

• Wednesday: House/DeepHouse/Electro
• Thursday: Retro/Hip Hop/R&B/Dance 
  
• Friday & Saturday: Adult Swim 25+
  House/Retro/HipHop
• Sunday: LMT Connection Funk/Soul 

Club Zen - Welland

LOUD, BRIGHT, AND LIVE !

Club Zen- HOME to bartender extraordinaire and mix king MORGAN BRANCH (moi, haha).
Yes, this is my place of employment every Friday night ! you can drop by Club Zen any weekend and expect to see me pouring flaming "Zen Bombs"  while shuffling to the hottest dance tracks from RESIDENT DJs - James Patz & Neily Griz  ! Soundcloud PROVIDED, love it ? stop by Club Zen this Friday ! The club is located at 1030 Niagara Street - Directly in front of the Ramada Hotel.

Tonic - Ouzo - Bacardi 151 - Red Bull - FIRE !

I am in for the long run with Club Zen! the 3rd bar I have served behind and am in full support of what we are working hard to accomplish as the only dance club in Welland. We have established our presence and are growing each and every week.

The amazing thing about Club Zen, is that it caters largely to the students of the Welland Campus who cannot afford to be paying an additional $20 in cab fair TO & FROM St. Catharines to enjoy a night out clubbing. This makes it a mandatory choice for the majority of the campus every weekend.


With a $2 drink specials, FREE cover, breathtaking smoke/laser visuals, and outrageous events you can guarantee a good laugh and an electrifying night. It is an uncontested night out to enjoy some of the peninsulas most unique cocktails and DJ talent at more than reasonable prices! Make sure you get on your computer the morning after your visit and check the official Facebook  for the Hi-Def shots of your crew taken by our professional photographers !

Moose and Goose - Thorold

FROSH WEEK 2013 !

Welcome to Moose and Goose, located in Thorold - It is EASILY the hottest bar in town. Year after year, the good ol' Moose never seems to disappoint. Sometimes, I am lost in thought about what makes this bar so popular on a weekly basis. Most venues that have their biggest nights between Mon-Thursday are unicorns now a days, just as far as them being almost non-existent. Prepare yourself for the most diverse music selection of ANY bar I have EVER attended (Dance/EDM/Top40/Pop/90s)

It may be that all too familiar PURELY student crowd, maybe the moderate sized dance-floor that is regularly packed to the point of you unintentionally dancing with 3 people you don't know ... simultaneously, or maybe its the $11 pitchers and FREE cover ?

Moose is the place to go mid-week, gather up the gang and indulge in
RECKLESS ABANDON

Moose is a staple of ALL Niagara student life, if you are or were ever a Brock / Niagara student and haven't dragged yourself to this small popular joint yet, you need to ! It is more about the experience than anything, be ashamed if your able to discuss your time at school without a Moose story!


Moose and Goose is an absolute destination for first year students and individuals who like to dress up for events or themed partys, within a year they will cover :

• Tight and Bright
• A.B.C (Anything But Clothes)
• Country Night
• Halloween Night
• Stop Light Party

Mishun Nightclub - St. Catharines

HOME OF THE ORIGINAL PAINT PARTY

Lets start off with St. Catharines largest capacity venue, drum roll please ... MISHUN NIGHTCLUB.

Mishun (formerly known as Barracuda Pretty) has been a pioneer of nightlife in the Niagara Region, although it was only renamed "Mishun" less than a year ago, it has still remained atop the club scene in the area.

I can confidently say I have had the pleasure of partying at roughly 90% of the clubs/bars/venues that Niagara has to offer. I will also say with confidence that Mishun has been one of my trusted locations after a busy week, to let go and violently FIST PUMP! Yes, you can almost skip the gym that day because you know you will be jumping and flailing in an intoxicated attempt to dance, account for a 1000 calorie deficit post-Mishun.

 

Let me break this down for you, do you know what the abbreviation G.T.L. stands for ? If you do, Mishun Nightclub is probably your niche. Line up under a tent (good for snow/rain) in cover as you prepare to invest a whopping $2 cover charge to dance the night away. Walk past the coat-check supermodels and you are getting your first taste of the Mishun experience, lasers illuminate the renovated decor and the bass of heavy DANCE/TOP40 fill your soul!

If there is an event or celebrity coming to St. Catharines you can guarantee they will be playing at Mishun because of the groundbreaking 800+ capacity. The interior is appropriate for a range of artists who have or will play at Mishun.  

In the last 5 years, Mishun has been host to such performers as:

Exclusive Mishun RAVESHADES

• Nicky Romero
• Sak Noel
• Lil Jon
• Dada Life
• Steve Aoki