Your Guide to Junos: Where to eat, drink and socialize in Hamilton — just like a local

People are descending upon the city for the dozens of events and live music performances this week as the Juno Awards are set to take place Sunday at Hamilton's TD Coliseum. 

While they are here, they'll have to eat and drink (coffee, tea or other), and may want to check out events and spaces unique to Hamilton.

There’s no better group to ask how to spend the day like a local than Hamilton musicians, artists and people connected to the local music scene. In advance of the Junos, we asked a handful of local creative folks to share their favourite cafés, restaurants, bars or social spaces, live music venues and other hidden gems. Here’s what they told us — and where to find them. 

Zoom in on the above map to find the names and locations of all recommended spots — and a bit more about the artists who recommended them. The full, personalized list is below.

Garrett Lajoie is a folk/pop singer-songwriter.

Best cup of coffee: One For All (241 King St. E.) . So. Good. Worth the walk from downtown through the international village! Restaurant you’d recommend: Mesa (255 James St. N.) for great and reasonably priced Mexican food. Bar/social space to feel like a local: Ola Bakery (230 James St. N.) has that friendly atmosphere you're looking for. Favourite live music venue: I like the Doors (Doors Taco Joint and Metal Bar, 56 Hess St. S.) but I'm a weirdo. It has no stage and no chairs, but it's got the intimacy and the character. Bring earplugs and rock out. Hidden gem: Jordan's Homeside Pub (1521 Main St. E.) in the east end for vegan-friendly pub fare and craft beers. Where we'll find you Junos week: Checking out Laila Biali at Henry's (303 James St. N.) on Friday night with any luck! For more about you: @garlajoie on Instagram to hear my EP "Scary" (if you're into acoustic guitars, catchy pop hooks, and bonus points if you have anxiety). 

Chris Wheeler is a guitarist and songwriter with Bend It Like Beck. Their second album Take My Heart And Burn is out now.

Best cup of coffee: Tim’s (Tim Hortons, the 1964 original location, 65 Ottawa St. N.). Sorry, not a fancy coffee guy ;)Restaurant you'd recommend: Henry’s on James (303 James St. N.)Bar/social space to feel like a local: The Cat and Fiddle (174 John St. S.)Favourite live music venue: Mills Hardware (95 King St. E.)Hidden gem: The many waterfalls in the city (Tiffany Falls, 900 Wilson St. E.)Where we'll find you Junos week: Looking forward to the actual Juno gala!For more about you: Bend it like Beck on Instagram.

Olivia Brown is a musician and singer-songwriter from the band Junestone. Their latest single, Take It or Leave It, is available on Bandcamp and streaming services everywhere.

Best cup of coffee: Crown & Press (303 Ottawa St. N.)Restaurant you'd recommend: Pinch Bakery and Plant Shop (183 Sherman Ave. N.)!!! I also love MaiPai (631 Barton St. E.) very much.Bar/social space to feel like a local: The Capitol Bar (973 King St. E.)Favourite live music venue: If my favourite place can be outside, I love it the most when Gage Park (1000 Main St. E.) becomes a venue or when they have live bands near the skating rink at the Waterfront. If it's got to be indoors, I'm going with the FirstOntario Concert Hall (1 Summers Ln).Hidden gem: Genuine Bakery (1002 Barton St. E.). Always love to get my bread from here. They have excellent chicken parm sandwiches, too. The Revival Art Store (1165 Cannon St. E.) near Cannon and Ottawa Street is also pretty cool. They sell art supplies and have a café where you can get drinks and snacks. It is a very new space, but the vibe there is already awesome.Where we'll find you Junos week: In the audience for Songwriters' Circle.For more about you: Junestone website. 

James Favron is a Hamilton based hip-hop Artist and founder of The Better Days Club. His latest single Average released March 20.

Best cup of coffee: Rooney’s latte (724 Main St. E.)Restaurant you’d recommend: You can’t visit Hamilton without trying the award winning pizza from Cowabunga (30 Vine St.)! (I suggest Hawaiian with the hot honey drizzle and Bunga Bites.)Bar/social space to feel like a local: If you want to feel like a local, definitely pop into Farside (288 James St. N.) or The Brain (199 James St. N.) for a drink.Favourite live music venue: My favourite music venue to both perform at and catch a show is Bridgeworks (200 Caroline St. N.).Hidden gem: Montgomery Park (1570 Main St. E.), best outdoor ball court in the city.Where we’ll find you Junos week: I’m gonna be at every event I can hit for Juno week, but specifically gotta catch my friend Anna Sofia at Ooey Gooey’s (107 George St.) on Saturday night (and Felix Cartal obvs), the SOCAN/FACTOR Songwriter’s Circle (Sofia Camara is a prodigy) and my boy Cam Kahin at Corktown (175 Young St.) on Friday.For more about you: Connect with me on instagram @jamesfavron.

Tomi swick is a Juno and Socan award-winning singer-songwriter from Hamilton, whose new album Rundown Love comes out March 28, 2026.

Best cup of coffee: No coffee for me.Restaurant you'd recommend: Tony’s corner (314 Queenston Rd.).Bar/social space to feel like a local: WestTown (WestTown Bar and Grill, 214 Locke St. S.) on Locke.Favourite live music venue: Music Hall (24 Main St. W.), (formerly Centenary United Church where I sang in the choir as a kid). Hidden gem: The Lionshead Pub (137 John St. S.).Where we'll find you Junos week: Enjoying the Hamilton music showcase on Friday and playing my record release party, March 28, both at Ridiculous (38 King William St.).For more about you: Tomi Swick on Instagram.