X marks the spot on London's best beaches and bars
Summer in London can be hot, humid and, at times, horrible without access to a sunny beach. With two great lakes within a half-hour to an hour drive away there is no point in spending your summer days sweating on your couch while watching reruns in your underwear. So batten down the hatches and set sail to one of these beaches near London for a day, afternoon or night and you never know you might come home with some booty - pirate booty that is...Arrrrrr.
Beaches
Piney Provincial Park: Just down the road from of Grand Bend with 10km of sandy beach, Pinery Provincial Park is a great place to spend a quiet, nature-filled day in the sun. Besides a great beach, there is camping within the park, ten different hiking trails and a 14km bike trail. Rental kayaks are also available on site.
Grand Bend: The water is warm, the sand is hot and this beach has more than enough scantily clad bodies to go around for every people watcher. Whether you pick up a volleyball match, visit shops along the strip or hit up Coco's or Gables, Grand Bend is like a college-student's summer dream come true.
Fanshawe Lake: Riddled by rumours of polluted water, Fanshawe Lake was created in 1952 when Fanshawe Dam was built to divert floodwaters that plagued the city and is currently the home to the National Rowing Team. Swim at own risk...
Long Point/Port Dover: This July 13 thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts will flock to the lakeside town of Port Dover for annual/biannual Friday the 13 celebrations. Port Dover and nearby Long Point Provincial Park, which boasts over a 40km long stretch of beach, are always busy with sun seekers.
John E Pearce Provincial Park: Surrounded by the sandy cliffs of Lake Erie and near the tiny town of Wallacetown, this quiet beach offers a combination of pebbles and sand. For those who like to get naked, the Federation of Canadian Nudists have labeled this beach as one of their “clothing optional” destinations in Ontario.
Port Stanley: A long tradition of Londoners flock to Port Stanley in the summer to enjoy the port town on Lake Erie, which is a convenient half an hour drive away. GT's on the Beach will make you feel right at home with it's licensed bar right on the beach.
Rondeau Provincial Park: This peninsula park features warm waters of a bay and Lake Erie and is best known as a migration stop for birds. Just an hour away, Rondeau is littered with sandbars, campsites and walking trails.
Ipperwash Beach: Although the provincial park of the same name is closed, Ipperwash Beach offers a massive stretch of sand, water and sun and is a popular destination for landlocked Londoners.
Bars
Ceeps/Barney's
519-432-1232
671 Richmond Street
www.ceeps.com
Once the warm weather hits, Barney's patio opens its' gates and brings you one of London's best patios. Located along Richmond Row, this is a popular hot spot for all those looking for a cold beer and mouth-watering menu day or night, which is a hit among students from both Western and Fanshawe. Barney's keeps a packed house during the warm summer months every night of the week.
T.J. Baxter's Tap & Grill
519-642-2666
660 Richmond Street
This rooftop patio is one of the best in The Forest City and is the perfect way to catch some rays while taking advantage of their fantastic food and drink menu. Get some R&R while over looking Richmond St and the gorgeous Victoria Park during the day, or come by after the sun sets to let loose after hitting the books.
Molly Bloom's Irish Pub
519-675-1212
700 Richmond Street
www.mollyblooms.ca
This underground bar offers you some fresh air on their patio during the summer. Enjoy all that Molly's has to offer by moving up to street level and taking a breather in this quaint outdoor area open until 2 a.m. every night of the week.
The Out Back Shack
519.452.4109 ext. 6336
Student Union Building
www.fsu.on.ca/content.asp?id=210
Within walking distance from class, Fanshawe's on-campus pub supplies students with the best stress-free environment. Sit outdoors and soak up the sun during the summer as you kick-back on the patio, have a few drinks and try out the new additions to their summer menu.
G.T's/GT's On the Beach
519-679-6946
333 Richmond Street
www.gtslondon.ca
www.gtsportstanley.ca
G.T's supplies London with one of the largest patio's designed to hold all of those looking for that nicotine fix or a little bit of breathing space during the bars' busy nights from the weeknight into the weekend. A patio bar, heat lamps, tables and stools, this uncovered patio keeps you comfortable all year around.
G.T's On the Beach is located only 40 minutes away on the beaches of Port Stanley. Work on that tan, sit on the beach, enjoy the volleyball and take advantage their beach food and drink menu, a definite road trip adventure worth the drive. New last year, G.T's On the Beach added their own enclosed non-smoking area to this completely outdoor bar to accommodate to those looking for a little shade and a lot of fresh beach air.
Barking Frog
519-433-0259
209 John Street
www.barkingfrog.ca
This two-story bar offers patios on both levels to save partygoers from being overwhelmed when looking to catch a breath outdoors. The Frog offers a large wrap-around patio on the main level with patio bar and heat lamps, while on the top floor, a small patio connects two of the many rooms giving this bar its own unique and distinguished feel.
Jim Bob Ray's
519-663-5665
585 Richmond Street
www.jimbobrays.com
After dancing your heart out to some of the best hip-hop and R&B, take a load off on JBR's upstairs patio. Open all year around, this patio is half covered and heated to accommodate the weather and keeps the drinks flowing with their patio bar until you are ready to hit the dance floor all over again. *Ladies be careful! Their grated steps were created for the wet weather and heals easily slip through the cracks. Pumps are not the best footwear for walking up and down this flight of stairs so hang on tight.
Jack's
519-438-1876
539 Richmond Street
On the main floor, Jack's offers an enclosed patio located at the front of the building. Windows open up during the summer so that the patio can accommodate to those going for a smoke before going back into the bar for a drink and a place to sit. Be sure to finish your beer or pour it into plastic cups that are provided, as glass bottles are not allowed past the doors.
Salt Lounge
519-642-7258
183 King Street
www.saltlounge.ca
At the back of this bar, the Salt Lounge patio is completely uncovered so bring your jacket. This place is open all year around supplying you with plenty of room and seating, the perfect area to take a breather after enjoying the live music or showing your friends who's boss at a few games of pool.
Beaches
Piney Provincial Park: Just down the road from of Grand Bend with 10km of sandy beach, Pinery Provincial Park is a great place to spend a quiet, nature-filled day in the sun. Besides a great beach, there is camping within the park, ten different hiking trails and a 14km bike trail. Rental kayaks are also available on site.
Grand Bend: The water is warm, the sand is hot and this beach has more than enough scantily clad bodies to go around for every people watcher. Whether you pick up a volleyball match, visit shops along the strip or hit up Coco's or Gables, Grand Bend is like a college-student's summer dream come true.
Fanshawe Lake: Riddled by rumours of polluted water, Fanshawe Lake was created in 1952 when Fanshawe Dam was built to divert floodwaters that plagued the city and is currently the home to the National Rowing Team. Swim at own risk...
Long Point/Port Dover: This July 13 thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts will flock to the lakeside town of Port Dover for annual/biannual Friday the 13 celebrations. Port Dover and nearby Long Point Provincial Park, which boasts over a 40km long stretch of beach, are always busy with sun seekers.
John E Pearce Provincial Park: Surrounded by the sandy cliffs of Lake Erie and near the tiny town of Wallacetown, this quiet beach offers a combination of pebbles and sand. For those who like to get naked, the Federation of Canadian Nudists have labeled this beach as one of their “clothing optional” destinations in Ontario.
Port Stanley: A long tradition of Londoners flock to Port Stanley in the summer to enjoy the port town on Lake Erie, which is a convenient half an hour drive away. GT's on the Beach will make you feel right at home with it's licensed bar right on the beach.
Rondeau Provincial Park: This peninsula park features warm waters of a bay and Lake Erie and is best known as a migration stop for birds. Just an hour away, Rondeau is littered with sandbars, campsites and walking trails.
Ipperwash Beach: Although the provincial park of the same name is closed, Ipperwash Beach offers a massive stretch of sand, water and sun and is a popular destination for landlocked Londoners.
Bars
Ceeps/Barney's
519-432-1232
671 Richmond Street
www.ceeps.com
Once the warm weather hits, Barney's patio opens its' gates and brings you one of London's best patios. Located along Richmond Row, this is a popular hot spot for all those looking for a cold beer and mouth-watering menu day or night, which is a hit among students from both Western and Fanshawe. Barney's keeps a packed house during the warm summer months every night of the week.
T.J. Baxter's Tap & Grill
519-642-2666
660 Richmond Street
This rooftop patio is one of the best in The Forest City and is the perfect way to catch some rays while taking advantage of their fantastic food and drink menu. Get some R&R while over looking Richmond St and the gorgeous Victoria Park during the day, or come by after the sun sets to let loose after hitting the books.
Molly Bloom's Irish Pub
519-675-1212
700 Richmond Street
www.mollyblooms.ca
This underground bar offers you some fresh air on their patio during the summer. Enjoy all that Molly's has to offer by moving up to street level and taking a breather in this quaint outdoor area open until 2 a.m. every night of the week.
The Out Back Shack
519.452.4109 ext. 6336
Student Union Building
www.fsu.on.ca/content.asp?id=210
Within walking distance from class, Fanshawe's on-campus pub supplies students with the best stress-free environment. Sit outdoors and soak up the sun during the summer as you kick-back on the patio, have a few drinks and try out the new additions to their summer menu.
G.T's/GT's On the Beach
519-679-6946
333 Richmond Street
www.gtslondon.ca
www.gtsportstanley.ca
G.T's supplies London with one of the largest patio's designed to hold all of those looking for that nicotine fix or a little bit of breathing space during the bars' busy nights from the weeknight into the weekend. A patio bar, heat lamps, tables and stools, this uncovered patio keeps you comfortable all year around.
G.T's On the Beach is located only 40 minutes away on the beaches of Port Stanley. Work on that tan, sit on the beach, enjoy the volleyball and take advantage their beach food and drink menu, a definite road trip adventure worth the drive. New last year, G.T's On the Beach added their own enclosed non-smoking area to this completely outdoor bar to accommodate to those looking for a little shade and a lot of fresh beach air.
Barking Frog
519-433-0259
209 John Street
www.barkingfrog.ca
This two-story bar offers patios on both levels to save partygoers from being overwhelmed when looking to catch a breath outdoors. The Frog offers a large wrap-around patio on the main level with patio bar and heat lamps, while on the top floor, a small patio connects two of the many rooms giving this bar its own unique and distinguished feel.
Jim Bob Ray's
519-663-5665
585 Richmond Street
www.jimbobrays.com
After dancing your heart out to some of the best hip-hop and R&B, take a load off on JBR's upstairs patio. Open all year around, this patio is half covered and heated to accommodate the weather and keeps the drinks flowing with their patio bar until you are ready to hit the dance floor all over again. *Ladies be careful! Their grated steps were created for the wet weather and heals easily slip through the cracks. Pumps are not the best footwear for walking up and down this flight of stairs so hang on tight.
Jack's
519-438-1876
539 Richmond Street
On the main floor, Jack's offers an enclosed patio located at the front of the building. Windows open up during the summer so that the patio can accommodate to those going for a smoke before going back into the bar for a drink and a place to sit. Be sure to finish your beer or pour it into plastic cups that are provided, as glass bottles are not allowed past the doors.
Salt Lounge
519-642-7258
183 King Street
www.saltlounge.ca
At the back of this bar, the Salt Lounge patio is completely uncovered so bring your jacket. This place is open all year around supplying you with plenty of room and seating, the perfect area to take a breather after enjoying the live music or showing your friends who's boss at a few games of pool.
