Harry’s Culture Radar: July ‘23

Located on an unassuming block of Bloor Street between a tattoo shop and a Tim Horton’s, you could easily walk past Civil Liberties  without giving it a second look. According to Canada’s 100 Best  ranking of restaurants and bars, however, it’s the best bar in Canada for the second year in a row. With a DIY interior, no official menu, and an ever-changing selection of cocktails on tap, Civil Liberties’ team of expert bartenders make up for the humble environs with friendly service and a wealth of knowledge about spirits. Following close behind on Canada’s 100 Best’s bars list, Bar Raval and Bar Pompette, both located nearby on College Street, also earned spots for their distinctive libations and skilled bar teams.

Fans of dry-aged beef and Montreal history rejoice: Moishe’s is back. The future of the famous steakhouse, which was opened in 1938 by Moishe Lighter, was uncertain when the doors of the original location on St-Laurent Boulevard closed during the pandemic. Three years later, however, following a change in ownership and a $4-million buildout, Moishe’s makes its triumphant return in a glitzy new location on Victoria Square. The new space combines old and new, with the oversized chandelier from the original location dangling over the bar, and expansive Montreal-themed contemporary artwork decorating the entrance and VIP room. Most importantly, however, is a menu of steakhouse standbys – including a selection of dry-aged USDA Prime cuts – that upholds Moishe’s reputation as Montreal’s top destination for carnivores.

July is the best month of the year for live music fans with – weather permitting – festivals spanning every genre from jazz to EDM to country taking over outdoor venues across the country. Pack your blacklight face paint (and depending on your tolerance for volume, maybe a set of earplugs) for Badlands, a top-tier EDM and hip-hop event featuring the likes of Deadmau5, Skrillex, Tyga, and Rick Ross. On a much chiller note, Guelph’s  Hillside Festival celebrates its 40th year this month with dozens of acts across folk, rock, and world music in a serene, family-friendly setting. At the Lebreton Flats, the Ottawa Bluesfest boasts a roster of top-tier acts across all genres (except maybe blues) from Shania Twain to Weezer to South African-Canadian masked singer Orville Peck. The Montreal Jazz Festival, meanwhile, upholds its reputation as one of the world’s top music festivals, with appearances from jazz legends Herbie Hancock, Buddy Guy, and Diana Krall, along with genre-bending up-and-comers like Thundercat and DOMi & JD Beck.

There are few places better suited to an idyllic summer getaway than Nova Scotia in July. In addition the pull of the Atlantic coast, the Evangeline Inn, a new boutique hotel in the heart of Nova Scotia wine country makes a strong case for spending a few nights away from the ocean. Located in the Annapolis Valley, about an hour’s drive from Halifax, The Evangeline offers a stylish home base for exploring the region’s wineries, scenic hikes, and farm-to-table gastronomy. Featuring Prince Edward County vibes in a distinctive Atlantic setting on the Bay of Fundy, the Evangeline Inn is the perfect under-the-radar destination for an East Coast escape.