The first thing you notice about The Next Act is how well it’s lit — and the second, is that the music here is never overwhelmingly loud. It might not be what you imagine the typical pub to be, but the setting is minimalistic and functional — it’s the type of place where you can really catch up over a beer, without any distractions. While the beer selection is quite diverse, The Next Act is committed to highlighting the local — it offers close to 30 beers brewed in Alberta. Its notable specialty is Next Act Black, a unique CDA made by Blindman Brewing. For a filling meal, try the PB&J burger — it comes with a satisfying mix of crunchy peanut butter, cheddar and house-made bacon jam. — Kateryna Didukh
8224 104 St. NW, 780-433-9345
Red Star has been a fixture on Avenue’s Best Restaurants lists thanks to its extensive beer list and small but elegant menu of pub snacks. The mini burgers have long been a standard, and continue to be a must-order item for first-time visitors. With a variety of crostini toppings, from speck to pork to cannellini bean, you can enjoy your favourite imported beer — in a glass proper to its style — along with food that’s slightly more highbrow than wings with ranch dressing. But, if comfort food is your thing, the grilled cheese on sourdough bread is wonderfully messy. — Steven Sandor
10534 Jasper Ave., 780-428-0825
The name Glass Monkey could mean a few things. “Monkey” gives the impression of a fun and relaxed establishment, but “Glass” gives an air of sophistication. Turns out this describes the south-side pub perfectly. The curved bar and tall tables at the front provide a casual place to snack and chat (it also hosts live music during private parties), and the dining tables in the back are more intimate and business-like, making it the reverse mullet of pubs (there’s also a summer patio, but we couldn’t fit that in the hairdo analogy). The menu is diverse in size (almonds and olives for snacks, charcuterie and cheese boards, big plates of pasta) and selection (pink pickled eggs, grilled Caesar salad or mac and cheese with duck, anyone?). Plus, there’s a huge wine and beer menu. — Cory Schachtel
5842 111 St. NW, 780-760-2228
Back to Edmonton’s Best Restaurants 2020
This article appears in the March 2020 issue of Avenue Edmonton
