Fife & Drum Pub

The F&D is that place that often gets over looked. When you pals call and say «lets go grab a beverage» you never really think of the F&D. They’re tucked away inside a hotel, so perhaps that is why: out of sight out of mind.
After deciding not to wait in the excessive line up at the Lower Deck myself and a few friends popped in to the F&D recently.
Yes, they’re another pub in a city with no shortage of Scottish/​Irish pubs. But you know what, they ain’t bad (yup, totally just used the «word» ain’t). We ordered potato skins and wings, which were fairly tasty. I’ve had better but these weren’t bad. If you’re looking for pub grub to pick on while you have a beverage or three then these will do just fine.
If you can get your hands on one of their daily drink specials, you won’t be disappointed.
The music can be hit or miss — this particular night the band was more miss than hit. They were playing some good songs, but the execution just wasn’t there.
The service was slow, particularly when we were trying to pay our bills to get out before the rush. It seemed to take forever for our server to return with our change.
It is a slight inconvenience to have to trapse through the hotel lobby to get to a washroom as there aren’t any actually in the pub itself.
Overall, and enjoyable time was had.
The next time you’re looking for a casual place for drink and some pub grub consider giving the F&D a little love!

You know what, F&D? I ain’t mad atcha. Sure, you’re a hotel bar in a city where hotel bars get very little respect. Sure, you’re a Scottish pub in a city full of other Scottish and Irish pubs. But you know what? You’re still trying and that’s what counts.
The Fife & Drum is a surprisingly warm and cozy bar on the waterfront that I suspect gets overlooked all the time for being inside the Marriott. And while that does has some drawbacks (as Jim mentioned, they don’t have their own washrooms), once you’re inside you’ll forget all about the hotel around you and just sink into the relaxing atmosphere.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t eat when I visited, instead opting just for a couple beer to close out the night. While their earlier closing time by Halifax standards kicked us out, the time we did spend was comfortable and perfectly complimented by the neighbourhood-​pub approach of their staff which made all the difference.
Just based on the location, I don’t know that I’ll be back that often but it won’t take much to twist my arm!

The Fife and Drum is one of the best hotel bars I’ve been to in a while. It’s a nice space with lively décor and many beers on tap and even a decent single-​malt selection. I went here a few times during my stay, and the bartender remembered my beer order from the previous night, which makes a huge deal to a businessperson or a tourist away from home. The nachos were good if a little pricey at $ 14 (if memory serves), but hotel bar food is always at a premium.
On the downside, the bar doesn’t have its own washroom and you have to leave the bar and venture back into the hotel lobby to use the loo, which isn’t ideal if you need to leave stuff behind, and I felt I had to tell the barkeep that I was actually coming back.
I’d stay at the Marriott for the Fife and Drum alone.

Very reasonably priced pub grub!
Some of the particular mainstays: Keith’s battered fish and chips, PEI potato skins, and the artichoke spinach dip.
The drinks are probably what you’re stopping by for at the ‘Fife and Drum.’ This pub serves strawberry and lime daiquiris as well as carrying boddington’s imported.
Overall, a decent place to stop by. Everything’s pretty ordinary at ‘Fife and Drum’ though so it would be nice if they did something to spice the place up a bit.