Hess Village

raisethehammer · #1 Posted **Apr 18, 2008, 6:23 PM**

I figured Hess deserves it's own thread.
Hamilton's most popular district and by far the coolest spot in Southern Ontario (some would say 'outisde of TO', others say it's the coolest including TO).
Patio season is here and this is ground zero in the Hammer.

One of my fave spots - the Gown and Gavel - seems to be undergoing a huge reno. Right back to the studs. As of this morning (April 18) it doesn't look anywhere close to being done. Anyone know what's happening?

HAMRetrofit · #2 Posted **Apr 18, 2008, 6:50 PM**

To be honest in a Hess vs. Entertainment District Battle

I think Hess wins. I feel like punching the entertainment district sideways for how terrible it now is.

raisethehammer · #3 Posted **Apr 18, 2008, 6:59 PM**

yea, I think I agree. I was there last week. It's no Hess.
Hess is so unique in it's layout where the patios and eateries rule the streetscape, not traffic.
The cobblestone is awesome, the trees are great and the people are amazing.
I've never found anything like it in all of Ontario.

Jon Dalton · #4 Posted **Apr 18, 2008, 7:05 PM**

I like the layout of Hess and George streets and the adaptive use of the buildings, but find most of the clubs there are bullshit. The closest I get to Hess during party time is at the eat-a-pita around 2:00 am when all the meatheads are crowding the place. Last time I was in one of the dance clubs I got kicked out. That said, Doors and Che are my favourite spots in Hess.

DC83 · #5 Posted **Apr 18, 2008, 7:06 PM**

Do u mean Richmond/John, Retro?

I actually go to 'The District' a lot and am not a big fan either. But I don't like Hess really... although I love the concept!

Rooftop patios... the new wave for outdoor eateries/pubs. I REALLY hope this catches on in the Hammer!

Hamilton was always the place to go for Entertainment, hence Toronto was called 'Hogtown'... we need to win this title back!

HAMRetrofit · #6 Posted **Apr 18, 2008, 7:25 PM**

Yeah I mean Richmond and John area.

Hess functions as something more than a stomping ground for 905 brats.

Hess is still a bit problematic but at least it isn't urban blight.

raisethehammer · #7 Posted **Apr 18, 2008, 8:48 PM**

I wouldn't call Richmond/John 'urban blight'. I'd happily lay that streetscape down along Main Street in Hamilton in a heartbeat! haha.

My fave Hess spots are G&G, Koi, Ceilid House (sp??) and Che.

SteelTown · #8 Posted **Apr 18, 2008, 9:13 PM**

Friend of mine is a waitress at Gown and Gavel so I've gotten a few free drinks haha.

raisethehammer · #9 Posted **Apr 18, 2008, 9:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Friend of mine is a waitress at Gown and Gavel so I've gotten a few free drinks haha.

man, you know everyone!
try to find out what's going on there and when it'll be re-opened.
just heading out for a 'date' with my wife. would have loved to start at G&G tonight, but we'll do Augusta St instead.

the dude · #10 Posted **Apr 18, 2008, 11:44 PM**

i'd love to see a few things happen to hess: more restaurants; a cafe or two; maybe a bookstore; couple more art galleries; a hotel; and most importantly, close hess to traffic, if only for a few hours in the evening - no need to have it open at night.

highwater · #11 Posted **Apr 19, 2008, 12:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

My fave Hess spots are G&G, Koi, Ceilid House (sp??) and Che.

Ceilidh House all the way. They've got the best scotch selection in the city.

Millstone · #12 Posted **Apr 19, 2008, 4:12 AM**

Ceilidh House on St. Patrick's Day is something else.

highwater · #13 Posted **Apr 19, 2008, 3:10 PM**

Ceilidh House when the Westdale ladies are allowed out ain't bad either.

LikeHamilton · #14 Posted **Apr 19, 2008, 4:14 PM**

Proclaimers play impromptu show in Hess Village

TheSpec.com

The Hamilton Spectator

(Apr 19, 2008)
The Proclaimers -- the Scottish duo behind the hit I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), and who ruled the airwaves in the early '90s -- performed an impromptu concert in Hess Village yesterday afternoon.

The pair were in town filming a show with MuchMusic and are in concert tonight, April 19 at the Hamilton Convention Centre. Show time is 9 p.m.

Tickets are available through www.hecfi.on.ca

http://www.thespec.com/videogallery/356958

HAMRetrofit · #15 Posted **Apr 19, 2008, 4:37 PM**

The best part of the video was when they proclaim that the dude that needed to get by was like a Hells Angel on a Scouter. In the next scene they almost get run off the sidewalk by the dude in the motorized scouter.

RePinion · #16 Posted **Apr 20, 2008, 12:39 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC83

Hamilton was always the place to go for Entertainment, hence Toronto was called 'Hogtown'... we need to win this title back!

No, this isn't true at all. To be painfully pedantic, Toronto was called "Hogtown" because at one time it was the centre of Canada's pork rendering industry. Hamilton certainly wasn't regarded as a superior cultural destination in any sense. In fact, both cities have historically had rather dismal entertainment scenes.

I generally agree with the observations that Hess is a preferable destination to the 905-dominated entertainment district in Toronto, but the entertainment district is far from being an accurate representation of Toronto night life as a whole.

flar · #17 Posted **Apr 20, 2008, 4:56 AM**

From what I gather, Hamilton has a rather interesting entertainment history especially when it comes to music. A lot of the big stars used to come to Hamilton for a good time because things were a little looser here than up in Toronto.

markbarbera · #18 Posted **Apr 20, 2008, 7:40 AM**

Interesting to note that Hess Village, the only pedestrian zone in the city, is perhaps the most successful commercial area in the core. A fine example of how pedestrian zones can (and do) work well, even in heavily car-dependant cities like Hamilton.

the dude · #19 Posted **Apr 20, 2008, 10:59 AM**

ceilidh house:

raisethehammer · #20 Posted **Apr 20, 2008, 12:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RePinion

No, this isn't true at all. To be painfully pedantic, Toronto was called "Hogtown" because at one time it was the centre of Canada's pork rendering industry. Hamilton certainly wasn't regarded as a superior cultural destination in any sense. In fact, both cities have historically had rather dismal entertainment scenes.

I generally agree with the observations that Hess is a preferable destination to the 905-dominated entertainment district in Toronto, but the entertainment district is far from being an accurate representation of Toronto night life as a whole.

actually, Hamilton was considered a much more cultured city and destination for many years back in our heyday.
I'll dig up some great pieces I've read in the past highlighting our A&E scene and how performers would always prefer the Hammer over Hogtown.