Cranespotting

The London Tap House

This London-based company is opening a five-floor entertainment, dance club, lounge and restaurant complex in Hamilton, featuring a 240 seat roof-top patio.

By Trey Shaughnessy
Published September 28, 2007

The London Tap House, 31 John St. S., Hamilton

Hamiltonians have likely noticed that the building at corner of Main and John is undergoing renovation. This high profile corner deserves a fine establishment and that’s what Hamilton is getting.

London Tap House at the corner of Main and John (Image Credit: Skyscraper Page)
London Tap House at the corner of Main and John (Image Credit: Skyscraper Page)

London Tap House in progress (Image Credit: Skyscraper Page)
London Tap House in progress (Image Credit: Skyscraper Page)

The London Tap House from London, Ontario is opening a five-floor entertainment, dance club, lounge and restaurant complex featuring a 240 seat roof-top patio, with likely stunning views of Hamilton’s skyline.

The website says it will be opening later this year. The group also plans to expand the format into Toronto and Vancouver. They promise to provide friendly service in a casual setting for you to eat, drink, dance and laugh.

Interestingly, this is the second downtown entertainment venue/restaurant from London investors of recent. The Honest Lawyer opened in Jackson Square with street frontage on King West and outdoor patio.

Urinal in Honest Lawyer, Hamilton
Urinal in Honest Lawyer, Hamilton

Both establishments cited the huge volume of young people and college/university aged folks in the downtown core as big reasons for coming to Hamilton.

Shown in the next three photos is the installation of a 15-ton section of the staircase that will connect all the floors with the roof-top patio.

Installing the staircase.
Installing the staircase.

Installing the staircase.
Installing the staircase.

Installing the staircase.
Installing the staircase.

This is an exciting addition and much needed entertainment venue in downtown. I’m confident the project is in good hands and it will be something Hamilton can be proud of.

Trey lives in Williamsville NY via Hamilton. He is a Marketing Manager for Tourism and Destination Marketing in the Buffalo-Niagara Metro.

His essays have appeared in The Energy Bulletin, Post Carbon Institute, Peak Oil Survival, and Tree Hugger.

And can't wait for the day he stops hearing "on facebook".

16 Comments

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By Jon Dalton (anonymous) | Posted September 30, 2007 at 19:47:03

This is exciting news. That building has been an eyesore of failed establishments for way too long. How about King and James, and King and John? Those buildings are vacant above the first floor.

I was amazed at the success of Honest Lawyer as this summer every time I bike past it it's just booming, even late at night. They just open a pretty run of the mill restaurant / bar / dance joint and brought street life to the worst stretch of King St. It would be nice to see a different scene along Main.

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By Dismayed (anonymous) | Posted October 01, 2007 at 14:00:51

While I am excited to hear of a new entertainment venue in the downtown, I am disturbed by the photo of the urinal from the Honest Lawyer. Inviting men to urinate in what is clearly a woman's mouth is revolting as well as demeaning to women everywhere.

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By nobrainer (registered) | Posted October 01, 2007 at 16:16:19

Eww. When you put it that way, it IS creepy!

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By urbanboy (registered) | Posted October 02, 2007 at 02:35:25

Hey Dismayed, how do you know it's a woman's mouth and not a drag queen's, hahaha....lighten up a little, you'll live longer :)

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By Ted Mitchell (registered) | Posted October 02, 2007 at 03:54:18

Has anyone else been to the Honest Lawyer? Great name, looks funky from the outside but trust me, if you're over 30 you will not stay for long, or ever come back.

Owing to a complete lack of sound absorbing material and lots of incredibly noisy bar games, I find the place is intolerable. If I go back it will only be to document the SPL. It's like a hockey arena at playoff time.

So if your nerves have been shot by noisy places like this, take refuge in the Mexican art store on Locke. Very quiet, breath of fresh air.

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By jason (registered) | Posted October 02, 2007 at 08:43:23

Ted...you're probably right. I think their aim is to please the 'under 30' crowd. Other than Hess, it seems people have forgotten the thousands of university students that live here....London Taps is also hoping to tap into that market, although they sound like there might be options for older folks too. I can't wait until this place opens.

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By Clarkey (anonymous) | Posted October 21, 2007 at 06:23:58

I am from London and use to work at and party at the orginial Tap House and let me tell you that you guys are in for a treat. This is a bar like no other. I place where you are always greeted with a smile and always get a handshake or high five on your way out the door. I will see everyone at the grand opening.

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By Genghis (anonymous) | Posted October 21, 2007 at 18:59:40

The Honest Lawyer originated in Windsor on Oulette Street.I think this may be a franchise name now. none the less, that mouth as a urinal is a bit sick.

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By ridge (anonymous) | Posted November 27, 2007 at 16:05:41

Any idea when the opening date will be??

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By Cassafras (anonymous) | Posted January 06, 2008 at 10:38:36

Hey there! I am also curious about the opening date, I worry that i havent seen any progress in like two months....i live just around the corner and im really looking forward to a new club in hamilton!

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By The big "YELLOW BAG" Company!!! (anonymous) | Posted April 04, 2008 at 19:46:21

I was driving downtown Hamilton last night and seen the great, backlit, "LONDON TAP HOUSE" sign, What a GREAT image for downtown Hamilton! After googleing the name and finding this website I am very excited to experience this new facility in downtown Hamilton!!!

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By NOW OPEN!! (anonymous) | Posted May 27, 2008 at 02:40:04

The London Tap House is officially open... and it's AMAZING!! Totally lives up to the hype and is sure to become a hit!

Come check it out!!

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By Taptaptap (anonymous) | Posted None at

Gross toilet. Here's some cool bathroom door signs:

http://dirtgetswet.com/pics-images/194/now-thats-is-subtle

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By ... (anonymous) | Posted July 29, 2009 at 12:38:36

compared to other clubs out there the london tap house is missing a lot, for starters a dj.

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By ... (anonymous) | Posted October 28, 2009 at 14:23:11

Compared to a lot of bars the Tap House is missing a lot...like fun. They have plenty of staff that will give you fake smiles and doormen that will talk down to you but if you're looking for a genuinely good time don't bother.

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By Skyler (anonymous) | Posted December 09, 2009 at 10:42:25

So I've heard the owner is desperate to start turning a profit or he will cut and run back to BC. With all the potential this place had upon opening, and considering that surrounding businesses doing well, I think we have a prime example of how not to run a business.

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