Asuka N.
Yelp
We decided to swing by Stillwell as our second stop in the afternoon for liquid refreshments, as well as a place to pick up a couple bites with several hours to go before dinner in front of us. We were there for about an hour or so (from 5-6 PM), and it was pretty busy then, but not so much that we couldn't get a seat. There are a number of longer tables situated around the floor, along with seats directly at the bar. For those interested in gaming while drinking, there are a few pinball machines downstairs. It definitely has the feel of a restored industrial building, and that is part of the charm, even though it kind of makes you feel like you transported yourself to Brooklyn. To get food and drink, you have to go to the cashier at the bar, but that is not too much of a problem, although the one downside is that the food (and surprisingly in this case, the burger) can take some time.
The beer selection on tap is very local-heavy, which is nice as an out-of-towner - you want to try what the local brews are. With a solid mix of different beers across the board, you aren't going to be relegated to a narrow segment of beer drinking. That said, I did like the double IPA from Tatamagouche the best by quite a bit; Boxcutter (from Bad Apple) was okay, if not hugely distinguishable aside from a steady coppery aftertaste, and the dark ale here (Like a Motorcyc-ale, from Tidehouse) was definitely on the harsher side and not as drinkable. Cereal Killer (ha, ha) was a solid oatmeal stout, albeit it on the lighter side. That said, I did appreciate the variety, and there are some special limited releases on tap that you can sample as well. If anything, the food is probably more of the highlight. The fried chicken is definitely on the brinier, saltier side - my wife was not a fan at all as a result - but I really enjoyed the perfect crisp on the chicken, and the sriracha that was fried into the skin gave it a nice, glowing heat that I really enjoyed. The Diner Burger was money, though - fantastically juicy patty and a revelation - fior di latte cheese melted on top, giving it a creamy yet clean pairing for the meat - was absolutely excellent.
I wouldn't say that the beers here are the best I have ever had, but I appreciate the devotion to the local craft scene, and that, combined with the delicious eats, are enough to give this place the full enchilada (i.e. 5 stars). Definitely worth a stop if you are in downtown Halifax, whether it's for drinks, a snack, or a meal.