The Hamilton downtown core has everything that you could ever need as a student looking for a fun day out
By Downtown Hamilton BIA, Community Partner
At the Downtown Hamilton BIA, we understand that as busy students you likely have a set routine that is determined by proximity to McMaster University, regardless of whether you live on campus or commute. However, if you are looking to venture outside of the McMaster area, downtown Hamilton is a great place to visit and it is only a short drive away. The downtown core has everything that you could ever need as a student looking for a fun day out and you are sure to have a great time when you visit!
If you are a student looking for a peaceful place to study, any one of the incredible cafés in the downtown core will provide you with a great atmosphere and even better food and drinks. Mezza Caffe, located at 28 James Street North, is dedicated to providing top-quality products and customer service, with a journey that started over 25 years ago in Venezuela before coming to Hamilton. The extensive menu is full of many delicious options, including specialty drinks, caffe, pizze, paninis and a variety of sweet treats. Another amazing café in downtown Hamilton that will make the perfect backdrop for your study sessions is Coco Fresh Tea & Juice, located at 96 Main Street East. As the name suggests they are focused on delivering high-quality tea products, with a menu that includes bubble tea, milk tea, smoothies and lattes. Visiting either one of these incredible cafés in the downtown core will give you the opportunity to complete your work in their inviting atmosphere and simultaneously enjoy one of their delicious menu items.
There are a variety of delicious restaurants in downtown Hamilton, perfect if you are looking to grab a bite to eat with your friends. One of Hamilton’s most popular and beloved restaurants is Lulu’s Shawarma, located at 32 John Street North. It is not uncommon to see a line out the door of the restaurant, the result of a delicious menu that includes Middle Eastern-inspired dishes such as shawarma, chicken and rice and falafel pita. Another delicious restaurant in downtown Hamilton is Kenzo Ramen, located at 21 King Street East. Kenzo Ramen sets itself apart by making its noodles in-house daily, with ramen broth that is stewed to perfection for over 24 hours. Their menu includes items like hot ramen, tonkotsu ramen, chicken karaage and katsudon. Each of these restaurants, like any in the downtown core, is sure to impress.
If you are looking for a fun experience to relieve stress from your classes, there are plenty of great entertainment venues in downtown Hamilton that can help. If you are looking for a high-energy experience Zen Lounge, located at 69 John Street South, is a great option. Each week they host Fiesta Fridays and Shanghai Nights on Saturdays, with extensive bottle menu, food, late night and drink menus. Another option is Escape Manor, located at 103 King Street East. This is an entertainment lounge that acts as a one-stop shop for a great night out, as they offer escape rooms, axe throwing, table games, food and drinks. Once classes are over, you can also reward yourself for all your hard work by attending the Downtown Hamilton BIA’s Gore Park Summer Promenade, an outdoor summer concert series. This year it will be running in Gore Park from May 25 to Aug. 31, with musical performances from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., a community activation or event from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and then an additional musical performance from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
The Downtown Hamilton BIA constantly strives to promote the downtown core as a vital and prosperous part of Hamilton, full of incredible businesses that enrich the location and those within it. For more information about the BIA, you can visit our website at www.downtownhamilton.org. Our website includes a full directory of all the amazing businesses within our boundary, an events calendar, self-guided walking tours and links to our social media channels to ensure that you stay updated on all of the changes in downtown Hamilton. You are sure to enjoy your time in the downtown core, as it has everything you could ever need for a great day out!
Hamilton BIA encourages people of all ages to have a fun and spooky time at their annual Halloween Spooktacular
The Hamilton Business Improvement Area Halloween Spooktacular will be on Friday, Oct. 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown Hamilton at Gore Park. This is an annual event hosted by Hamilton BIA. It is free and family-friendly with a variety of fun activities to get everyone in the Halloween spirit.
They started running the Halloween Spooktacular in 2017 and continued until 2019. After taking a two-year break in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are excited to bring it back this year.
In 2020 and 2021 they had a scavenger hunt instead to promote community spirit, despite the non-ideal circumstances. They had clues with ghost signs hidden around downtown Hamilton and they all had a letter on them. Once players were able to unscramble the letters, they received a prize.
The Halloween Spooktacular is important to the community as it is an entirely free family-friendly event that gives everyone the chance to visit and have a great experience in downtown Hamilton.
This year, Hamilton BIA is featuring a hay maze for attendees to navigate; a fun house, which you can enter an unlimited number of times and a prize wheel, where you can win candy. In addition, there will also be face painting, a photo booth, pumpkin decorating, a DJ dance party and stilt-walking characters roaming around the park.
The BIA team always enjoys seeing everyone show up in a variety of costumes to this event.
“My favourite part of Halloween is honestly the creativity of the costumes that you see. We encourage costumes—they're not mandatory at all, but it's just so great seeing [people of all] ages dress up in their favourite things,” said Emily Walsh, the community engagement coordinator of Hamilton BIA.
My favourite part of Halloween is honestly the creativity of the costumes that you see. We encourage costumes—they're not mandatory at all, but it's just so great seeing [people of all] ages dress up in their favourite things.
Emily Walsh, community engagement coordinator, Hamilton BIA
This year, the BIA team mixed up their events compared to previous years. Instead of cookie decorating, they will have a pumpkin decorating station using paint or stickers to accommodate all ages. This event has had a lot of success in the past and many people come out to attend and have a great time.
“I hope someone will walk away with a good amount of candy in their little street bag, and a good idea that downtown Hamilton is a fun, safe and inviting place to be,” explained Walsh.
In the future, the Hamilton BIA aims to continue running Halloween Spooktacular and gradually ramp it up with more fun activities.
As the semester quickly comes to an end during the busiest time of the year, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the piles of coffee stained study notes and to do lists. Between exams, holiday shopping and all the other things on your plate, it’s important to carve out some time to enjoy yourself. As Hamilton transforms into a winter wonderland, now is the perfect time to check out all the fun events happening across the city.
The Phoenix Bar and Grill will be hosting the first ever Holiday Market on campus. The patio will be decked out in twinkling lights and local vendors. Complete your holiday shopping while sipping on hot drinks and snacking on festive treats, or get creative at the crafts stations to make your own festive arts. No holiday market is complete without a photo with McMaster’s very own Santa. Entry to the market is free but make sure to bring cash for shopping at the vendors!
Looking for a lovely homemade gift that you don’t have to make yourself? Check out the Craftadian Christmas Market on Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McMaster Innovation Park. Over 80 local makers will be there selling unique and beautiful gift ideas, from a toy for your baby cousin to a scarf for your Secret Santa pick.
Head down to Westdale on Dec. 7 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for some wintry fun. There will be live music and entertainment, a vendor market at the Westdale Public Library, horse and carriage rides and late night shopping.
Record store Into the Abyss is putting on two of its intimate in-shop shows during December. Head down to the store on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. to see Toronto singer-songwriter Adrian Underhill, Montreal pop duo, Best Fern and Hamilton singer-songwriter, Gareth Inkster. On Dec. 13 at 7 p.m., the set list includes Toronto songwriter and poet Steven Lambke and duo Construction and Destruction will perform in celebration of their joint EP. Hamilton’s own Wish Coin will also be performing.
Looking for some feminist fun that supports a good cause? On Dec. 3 at 7 p.m., take a night off studying and attend Broad Conversations’ Feminist Trivia Night hosted at Toast Wine Bar. Admission is PWYC with 100 per cent of the proceeds being donated to Sexual Assault Centre (Hamilton Area). Open to everyone, this is a great chance to unwind with your friends and win some cool team prizes!
The Christmas Ferris wheel in Gore Park will be up through the entirety of exam season, from Dec. 7 to Dec. 23. Taking a free ride on the Ferris wheel makes the perfect downtown study break, providing both a layback outing and a spectacular view of downtown Hamilton. Stop by Redchurch Café and Gallery for a warm drink and stroll through their latest exhibit.
Head down to Gore Park between Dec. 7 and Dec. 9 for the annual Christmas market. On the opening Friday, the market will kick off with the Christmas tree lighting at 5 p.m. and there will also be free live music from the Troy Harmer band. Throughout the rest of the weekend, check out local vendors such as Red Church Café, Toast Wine Bar, Collective Arts, Hamont Doodles and Hamilton Hobos. In addition, there will be a fully licensed mulled wine and hot cider bar, DJs playing throughout the weekend, a mistletoe kissing station and much more. The best part is that entrance to the market is free.
On Dec. 8 at 2 p.m., check out this workshop for a chance to create your own semi-precious stone or crystal bracelet to aide in mindfulness and personal growth. The history of this process, how to care for your bracelet and the stone options will be explained in a booklet given at the workshop. In addition to making the bracelets, the workshop will begin with a guided mediation. The workshop cost $15 for the bracelet and a hand sewn bag to store it in. If you want to make more than one bracelet, additional bracelets cost $8. If you’re thinking this would make a perfect gift for someone, you can get your bracelet gift wrapped for $4.
On Dec. 15 from 9 p.m to 2:30 a.m. Polyester will be hosting a drag show and dance party at This Ain’t Hollywood as part of their monthly events in Hamilton. The show will feature drag performances by Beautiful Baby Bel Bel. A mix of pop, house, remixes and beloved Christmas jams will be included in DJ sets by Rosé and Mia. Polyester hosts positive and safe party environments that are open to everyone. Cover is $10.
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