The Local Watering Hole

Where do you go on any other night of the week? The night when you just need to get out, feel a piece of comfort, have a pint (or two), some good food, and great company. It's amazing how pub culture can really equate to a community depending on your local. A person becomes a "regular"... some more regular than others (possibly becoming known as "the local" but if you see me that much then it's obvious that you have no reason to judge me).

Truly, the idea of going to a pub around the corner near your home, simply knowing you will run into someone you know and if you don't, sitting at the bar will bring up conversation with a new stranger you may get to know in the future.

This sort of thing can only happen at certain places with certain people, and The Victory Cafe does it for me. It's very near by my pace of residence, the beer selection is amazing ( please note the rotating selection on hand pump cask ), a long bar lined with Christmas lights all year round, stucco walls, wood panel booths, local art and photography on the walls, chalkboard menus, reasonable prices, great service and only moments away from bar-stool conversation.

Everyone should have this sort of place and it could be anywhere. Where is it for you?

This is not the idea that you should only have one pub to go to, but one you go to because you know, you understand, everyone knows, everyone understands that this is your living room away from home and someone else as well(and most likely the Leafs will be losing... once again), so show respect.

Is pub culture lost these days? Do people really need a reason like music, a birthday, work social, etc to go to a bar / pub?

Can we always have a neighbourhood pub that has a nice selection of local beer on tap? May they have delicious food on the menu as well?

Weekly specials and a rotating tap to keep things fresh and new? Please and thanks.

Where do you go for this feeling? What is it that defines your favourite near by pub? Granted, I have a few pubs I enjoy that I do not live near and I manage to frequent, but comfort is allowed to be close to home and further away as well.

Also, I'll just make a mention that there are local gems brewing. This is a good year brewing, this is a good year for beer, keep your eyes, ears, tongue, and nose peeled for lots of fantastic things to come.

Suspense.

Cheers!