The Next Act

Definitely what you would consider a hipster hangout. Gets pretty crowded. I don’t love the table set up but the food is good. Recommend their pb and j burger. Tastes better than it sounds!

What keeps me coming back to the Next Act… It is an interesting question because I didn’t realize I had been as often as I had until I looked at my check-​in tally over the years. I think my favorite thing about this place is that it really is an Old Strathcona staple. With bars and pubs coming and going, the Next Act really has been around for years and has a huge following in the city. I really like the outdoor patio in the summer time– perfect for stopping by for a quick drink and a bite in between shows at the Fringe or shopping along the ave. People always rave about the burgers as the best in the city and I can’t say I agree. I really, really don’t like onions and they are put right in the patties here. There is no way to avoid them! I like that they keep their menu creative throughout all their staple pub fare. Sriracha Chili Lime wings? Trendy and delicious! I have had occasions where the service just was mediocre and just plain awful but I think when you have a bunch of University students making up the bulk of your staff there will be some that just don’t care. Keep rockin’ the ave Next Act– we really can’t afford to lose anymore core businesses!

This spot is always busy and for good reason: excellent food, down to earth service and good drinks. It’s tucked just off Whyte and is a standby for my friends and I.
I’m a vegetarian so I appreciate the healthy number of options (even though the poutine isn’t healthy it’s still a good option).
Recommend you give it a shot!

Been many times, always busy and food always delivers! From the breakfast poutine to the house salad! Especially like the selection of ciders available! Keep doing what you’re doing!

We love the restaurant. When we clave some «good» comfort food, they are our go-​to store. My favourites are a fish sandwich and smoked chicken sandwich. The smoked chicken is from MEAT (the restaurant next to them) and they are so good! The staff are always friendly and we have never had bad experience.

The stars are for the burger. The place is cramped. Even the restroom is tiny. I would totally have trouble if I was a chubby person. So I would give it 3 stars. If I drank then I would have more to say. It was still delicious sober, and the staff was helpful with food options.

My husband and I visited The Next Act for the first time today. The place was tidy/​clean, and the staff were friendly and took our order promptly. We didn’t wait long for food. My husband and I each grabbed a burger and both of us really enjoyed our meal. I love the light fluffy buns they use! The fries taste like those from MEAT next door, only without the garlic spices. The price was great (ca. $ 16/​burger) and both of us left full and happy!

Back in the day (and I’m talking the last 20 years or so), The Act was my go-​to place for meeting up with friends. The staff was super casual, the pints were cold and cheapish, and the burgers were pretty good.
When the new staff took over (how many years ago? 5 or so?) I was afraid that things would change… and they did… for the better. Sure, it’s super packed with johnny-​come-​latelys who have just discovered the place in the past couple of years — and while I say «packed», I mean you usually have to stand in line for a seat to open up, but never too long — but they’ve knocked this local watering hole up a few notches with every mod done.
The menu is top notch (best burgers in the city… seriously!) and friendly staff that can move through the chaos with ease. And I’m still grateful for how they accommodated my class trips to the city when I was teaching out of town — they went above expectations.
While I don’t get down to the ave as much as I used to, my wife and I try to hit The Act as often as we can. And when our group of friends can all make it out at the same time (getting harder and harder to do), we always pick The Act — lots of reminiscing of how it was in the mid 90’s and how much it has changed over the years. And for those burgers, I’ll be sure to keep coming back for another 20 years.

The Next Act is an Edmonton institution & the place to go after checking out a play at one of the nearby theatres.
It’s ambiance is comfortable and unassuming, with lots of booths for intimate. conversation surrounding a bunch of hightop tables for those wishing to mingle.
The menu is small yet versatile — something for everyone, plus the price is reasonable for the generous portions and super tasty fare!
My personal favourite is their mac and cheese, which includes crumbled bacon and jalepenos atop a crunchy crust! Pair it with a glass or red wine and you’re on your way to food heaven! I have even stopped by to grab some for takeout when I am feeling like comfort food on the couch!
In the evenings they often play classic movies on their tvs, which is a welcome reprieve from the ever present sporting event!
Next Act, please never leave Whyte Avenue! You are such a welcome alternative from the pseudo-​hip gastro-​pubs taking over this city! They’ll never be as perfect as you!

My list for best burger in Edmonton starts and stops at The Next Act pub just off Whyte Ave. Specifically the PB&J burger. I don’t know what it is but peanut butter on a burger is amazing. Add some bacon jam and I’m in heaven!
Fries are good, although not great (and that’s where is loses a star). But you’re coming for the burger so that’s not a big deal!
It’s a pub so the beer is important. The selection is good although nothing you couldn’t get any many other places.
The location itself is just off Whyte Ave and always busy. It’s got a great patio in the summer otherwise the cosy booths are a great spot to sit. It feels very relaxed with some old school movies usually playing on TV instead of the hockey game.
Service is always friendly and quick!

This hipster diner was located around the corner from our hotel. And it was about the only bar in Old Strathcona, Edmonton where I didn’t feel like the oldest person in the world. We came here for lunch, and came back again later that night for drinks. The food is gastro pub fare and good sized portions. Had a burger, and it was one of the best I’ve had in my short time in Canada. Later came back for drinks with my bud. The bartender recommended some cocktails. I went Old Fashioned (because i’m old), and it was nice and strong. The clientele was a mix of ages and diverse crowd. The music was super cool mix. There are televisions in the corners screening old black & white movies. Super hip but not so hip that I felt out of place!

I’ve always enjoyed this pub. Great social scene. Good food. A nice change of pace from run-​of-​the-​mill pubs.
Food is pretty good and service is solid.

I like the Next Act. These days, it’s one of first places I’d go for a beer on Whyte Ave. The go-​to pub after the various theatres in the area let out for the night, it can get rowdy in the evenings… in a friendly way. In the afternoons, it’s more relaxed. The patio is cute and great in the summertime.
There are lots of beers on tap, and the menu is solid. Maybe a bit pricy, but I’ve always enjoyed what I’ve ordered.
The staff is always friendly, too. Highly recommended if you want a slightly older crowd and a decent booth to sit in around the Whyte Ave area.

This has been one of my favourite restaurants in Edmonton for years.
On my most recent visit, we asked to sit on the patio (despite there being plenty of room inside) and only had to wait maybe 5 minutes for a spot to open. The server was really nice about it and didn’t mind our request. The service throughout the meal was attentive and friendly. She offered drink recommendations and came frequently (but not too frequently).
As for the food, I got the tequila lime chicken sandwich and it was fantastic! A little spicy for my tastes but the guacamole on it was out of this world. The bun was perfect and soft. My side Caesar was huge (way bigger than most sides) and delicious. It was entirely dark leaves (I have a pet peeve of places that give you the wilted yellow stuff) and covered in real Parmesan. I can’t recall if there was bacon in it but I believe there was. Either way, one of my faves.
This is a rare restaurant that I haven’t had a negative and deterring experience at. I’ll definitely keep coming back.

Stopped in for brunch with the hubby as we wanted to try a new place vs the old stand by. We got here about 15 mins before they opened and the line up steadily grew until the doors opened. Initial service was quick and speedy, but we did wait a while for our food to come after we put in our food order. This is understandable as they were almost completely full right at opening.
The food was worth the wait. I had the breakfast poutine, which was delicious. The gravy was the best part. Overall, good flavour, not too salty and the over easy egg on top was cooked to perfection with a yummy runny yolk. Hubby had the hangover breakfast and again his eggs were cooked beautifully — the seasoned hash browns were his favourite part of the meal. Service was great given how busy they were. We will definitely be back to try the rest of the brunch menu!

Summer patio lunch today was fabulous.
First, they continue to offer Main Squeeze grapefruit beer from Alley Kat — superb!
And, w the new addition of the Meat products from their sister restaurant, there are brand new options for making spectacular combos!
As an example — my lunch today was the large arugula salad w/​smoked chicken on top — absolutely perfect! Healthy and delicious! (My lunch partner hadn’t tried their smoked chicken sandwich before but he was pretty impressed too!)
Overall, another great visit — including stellar service from CJ.

Meeting up with a former colleague/​friend for dinner and to catch up, we chose the Next Act, which was new to me other than a take out burger over a year ago. We didn’t luck out for patio seating, but it was probably even better being inside where there was a friendly and inviting atmosphere.
The server was great. She was patient while I waited for the other member of my party and brought waters and kept an eye in the mean time. The server also had a good sense of humour and kept any interjections to a minimum. She was definitely skilled at her job and knows the menu –which is very reasonably priced with a unique line up. There are not a lot of options, but enough that everyone should find something they will enjoy. I’d much rather a chef who does a few things superbly, than 40 things sub par.
We lucked out that it was a special Ally Kat Cast Night so we heard an opening talk from the brewer himself as well as the general manager. If you are a beer lover, I do recommend going on a Tuesday night for a one of a kind special treat. Their house Merlot is also very good.
My friend had the Cajun Fish Sandwich with crispy fries — of which I stole a few. I had their mac & cheese — with the bacon and Jalapenos of course! Both were great and we were pleased with our meals.
This was a mac & cheese that wowed me. It was cooked perfectly, just the right balance of creamy and cheesy, bacon and jalapeño pieces, with a breading crust on top. Baked to perfection! I took the second half home and later shared with my husband. He’s not a big mac & cheese fan like me, but he scarfed and was a fan of this dish.
The atmosphere is a neat combination of dinner/​dive, but clean and well kept. It feels like a classic staple of the area.
Maybe it was the experience, maybe it was my company, but I had a great meal and would definitely go back again. Even on a Tuesday night, this place can get packed, so bring a little bit of extra patience with you. It’s 100% worth it!

I visited the next act pub on a beautiful summer day in Edmonton. We had to wait a bit to get a seat on the patio but we did end up getting one. The waitress came up to us within the first 5 minutes to take our drink order. I noticed the special fruit beer they were serving Alley Kat Grapefruit beer. Yup, that is what I was going to get. Andrew ordered a Steam Whistle and we were on our way to deciding which burger on the list we should order. Andrew and I took a look at the menu, we decided to each order a burger, one of us would order it with house salad and one of us would order it with fries. Although they had a variety of different burgers on the menu, Andrew assured me that we had to order the Cameo Burger, which he said he had once and it was a burger with Jack Daniels soaked apples and some kind of weird cheese. Not realizing what the cameo burger was at this point (the menu read «if you haven’t heard, ask us) I just trusted Andrew that this apple topped burger was the best thing ever and went ahead and ordered it.
When our burger arrived it was definitely not a soaked apple weird cheese creation. This thing has a bunch of ground up weird looking jelly on it and what looked like melted crunchy peanut butter on the bottom. It was at this point it hit me: the chalkboard outside of the pub reading «Our PB&J Burger is Back» is the same sign that also broke down exactly what the cameo burger is. Yes ladies and gents the cameo burger is exactly as it sounds; a burger that shows up temporarily on the menu for a «Cameo» and goes away, something my naturally blonde dumb self didn’t put together until the burger actually came. And honestly I am sooooo freakin glad I didn’t! The PB&J burger came out exact as described «A beef burger topped with Bacon Jelly, Cheddar Cheese & Peanut Butter». YES I said BACON JELLY. This burger was like an orgasm for my mouth. It had the most outrageous toppings and it tasted unreal! Seriously peanut butter on a cheeseburger?! Bacon Jelly?! Who thinks of this stuff!!! Apparently the cheeseburger geniuses at the Next Act Pub do! I asked the server how often they change their cameo burger, and he informed me it is changed once a week on Fridays. You can follow them on Twitter at @nextactpub where they announce weekly what their newest cameo burger will be.
Fries –The fries were very tasty no doubt, but nothing about them jumped out at me as for being special. Still good though
Salad– It was a delicious house salad with strawberries, grapes, almonds, and a nice white balsamic dressing. Very tasty.
Overall Ratings:
Burger — 5.5÷5
Salad — 3.5÷5
Fries — ⁴⁄₅
Pub — ³⁄₅
People watching — ⁴⁄₅

This may have been our favorite place while visiting Edmonton. It has a pub vibe with great food and beer. Always busy and for good reason, it’s great.
We stopped in on two different occasions, and are hoping for another before our work trip leaves.
The Meat smoked brisket donair with the house salad was the most amazing meal we had on our trip. The donair was quite unique with the smoked brisket on it, sweet sauce, and crumbled cheese. After I finished it, all I could think was how much I wanted to take one home and have it for breakfast as well. The house salad that accompanied it was great too. The sweet balsamic honey dressing withe the fruited salad was very tasty and had nicely contrasting flavors.
On our second stop by, we had to try the burgers. I had the critic. It was quite good, but not being able to order it medium rare was quite disappointing. It did not take away from the flavor in the least, but we are used to eating burgers that are more moist. The only thing this meal was lacking was enough napkins to clean up with. Poutine was pretty tasty as well.
On both of our visits, the service was great and quite prompt, even when busy. Wait times on food were not bad at all given how busy they were. Overall, we had a great experience and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great pub and food.

The Next Act is a small pub right off Whyte Ave. They just recently won the «best burger» title from Avenue Edmonton in March of 2015. I’ve been here a few times already in the last couple years and I’ve always left satisfied. They also have a food truck, and are run by the same people as MEAT that is just next door. In an interview, co-​owner Mike Rebalkin said the secret to their burgers were that they are made fresh daily with salt, pepper, garlic, onion, Worcestershire sauce, hand-​pressed, and cooked to order. Anyways, it was a beautiful spring day, their patio just opened, and I decided to come here right before heading out to the driving range with my friend, Jamie.
Every other time that I’ve been here before, it was always completely packed. The wait for a table was usually only 10 – 15 minutes, so it wasn’t too bad. This occasion, we sat up at the bar since that’s all that was available at the time. The staff there are all very friendly and chatty. It definitely has a good vibe and wholesome feel to it. It can get a little bit loud, but I don’t really mind it. I decided to start off with one of my more favourite choices, a nice crabbies ginger beer.
For my meal, I decided to go with the PB&J burger with a side of their house salad. I usually opt to get their house salad as a side because I find it so fresh and packed with flavour. It was kind of cool sitting up at the bar, I could kind of peep into the kitchen to see what was happening, and the dinner rush there is so crazy. I really commend them to being able to keep up with such a high volume of people! The burger was served on a fresh bun. It was really soft and fluffy. The last time I got the PB&J, they were really generous with the amount of peanut butter and bacon jam. This time it seemed like I got a little bit less but nevertheless, the burger was really good! I really like the texture of the crunchy peanut butter. The bacon jam was nice and sweet, and a really good addition to the burger. The house salad is mixed greens, pea shoots, almonds, grapes, strawberries and topped with a housemade white balsamic honey vinaigrette. I really like this salad because of all the different elements it has. Every bite of this salad has great flavours. The grapes, strawberries and almonds all go great with the greens, and everything is brought together by the honey vinaigrette. It has a nice sweetness to it and overall, I think it’s a great salad.
Jamie decided to go with the smoked chicken sandwich with fries and the jalapeño garlic mayo…