The Brain Bar — Restaurant in Hamilton

Coming from the Craft beer capital I made many efforts to try local and when eating nextdoor I could not resist a chalkboard that said 50+ beers. Most placed I’d been to had small selections of their own beer, but to me you have to really diversity to get to that 50 plateau and I was right. 50+ beers from all over (even back home).

Steady changing selections of all craft, some local, but as varied as anyone can get around here.

It’s dark, small, warm, cozy, inviting, but ultimately weird. Hipster AF.

I was glad to see some classic cocktails on the menu which I also tried, but there is a weird bottle neck at the chalkboard as it narrows to the bar opening which makes ordering just awkward if the bar itself isn’t open. They do an interesting thing asking for your name instead of tabbing you via a card to hold, but that also doesn’t seem to be a Canadian thing like it is back in the States. My pisco sour was excellent, fresh juice, fresh egg white, well shaken, though I’m more a fan of metal on metal and I’m starting to think kold-draft is a luxury as many places simply don’t have it. Kold draft or even 2+ inch molded ice has a very unique clang that I like. Ultimately bad if your shaking with glass though.

My friends had a few lagers and ales which Hamilton is more known for than IPA’s. We sat at the back where it was quite and we could hear ourselves instead of shouting over people. They have board games which I imagine is great fun and even a back patio which I imagine goes off in the summer. The staff are friendly and pretty knowledgeable, but I’d have like to seem a little more eye in the sky control, in that regard it’s more barista than bar.

On any given night here you’ll hear conversations of beard oil, compost, prius’, and other hipster topics. It’s quietly romantic and dark so no one will bother you whatever your opinions are. If a Portland hipster mated with a San Francisco hipster, The Brain would...

Hamilton is a bit like Toronto if you took away all the super good-looking and successful people—The Brain captures that dynamic well: approachable yet aspirational in a way that appeals to locals. The hand-drawn artwork on the walls feels uniquely owned, and the staff are nice enough.

When I first moved here, I stopped by often for coffee. One night, I decided to meet a new friend for drinks and finally experienced the bar in full swing. After one drink, I got up to use the restroom and chatted with a table of middle-aged women along the way. They looked about my age, and on a Friday night at a bar, a little socializing seemed natural.

When I returned to my seat, the bartender told me I was cut off and needed to leave. Confused, I explained that I wasn’t drunk—there must have been a mistake. She hit me with a condescending no-nonsense look and said I was making other patrons uncomfortable. Stunned, I left without a fuss.

I’m 42, a career creative director who has spent years navigating social and professional spaces in cities like Manhattan, Montreal, and Toronto—places where bar culture is lively, dynamic, and rarely this arbitrary. No judgment toward anyone who struggles with alcohol—I don’t. I’ve never been ejected from a bar in my life. Yet months later, I still find myself wondering—did I get cool-girled by a jealous townie? Was this a real-life Footloose moment? Or just a weird mix-up?

Either way, if you're visiting from out of town, maybe steer clear of The Brain—you wouldn’t want a big fish in a small pond ruining...

The Brain Bar is a place for everyone. Undergrad, grad student, 30, 40, 75, your age and occupation doesn't matter. It's a place to meet friends, and a place to run into friends or if you're up for it the back patio is a great place to make new friends.

Suit, or scrubs, or steel toes. The Brain is a great place to grab a drink, or pie or samosas.

With a great selection of beer, both on tap and in the fridge, there's something for everyone. If cider or sours are more your taste, they've got you covered. They've got cocktails and coffee, and wine.

The cozy and eclectic design and decoration is an honest story of the time the bar has been here, and it makes it feel like home. It's dark interior during the day allows it to feel like a comfortable and clean version of a smokey bar the morning after (without the smoke of course) or the front or back patio during the warmer months are either quiet or busy and bright. At night the bar is filled with a quiet livelihood that allows casual conversations without having to yell, but ensures you don't feel lonely while there.

Everyone I've met, ordered from, spoken to, or made friends with here has been some of the most respectful people I've run into. This place is filled with love and respect, and it's why I'm at The Brain...