The Phoenix Bar & Grill
1280 Main St. McMaster University, Hamilton ON L8S 4L8
$
Hamburger
Recommended
New
The Phoenix, a tradition at McMaster University since 1969. We're located in a beautiful Refectory building, overlooking Cootes Paradise. It's the perfect place to enjoy lunch on our woodland patio or relax with one of our 25 craft draught beers. Owned and Operated by the Graduate Students Association. All members of the community are welcome to enjoy the great food and large selection of beverages the Phoenix offers. Graduate students save 20% on food.
Reservations
Booking Notes:
We’re into parties of all sizes!
To help you plan your perfect gathering, we take online reservations for up to 10 guests. If you are coming along with more than 10 people for a meal,
please shoot us an email at [email protected]
We do accept patio table requests but cannot guarantee patio seating.
Reservations will be held for a maximum of 15 min, please call the restaurant if you need to make any last minute changes to a party.
Business Info
- Address: 1280 Main St. McMaster University, Hamilton ON L8S 4L8
- Cross Street: Cootes Paradise
- Cuisine: American | Hamburger | Pasta | Vegan | Vegetarian |
- Cost: | Very Inexpensive
- Category: Casual Dining
- Star Rating:
- Reservations: Available
- Dress Code: Casual
- Meals Served: Lunch | Dinner | Late |
- Parking: Public Lot | Private Lot |
- Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Cash | Apple Pay | Google Pay | Debit |
- Corkage Fee: N/A
- Website: https://www.phoenixmcmaster.com
- Phone: 905-525-9140 ext. 24405
- Features: Full Bar, Catering Services, Live Entertainment, Outdoor Seating, Private Room, Takeout Available, Wheelchair Access, Healthy Options,
- Occasion: Child Friendly, Dining Alone, Meet for a Drink, Quick Bite, Date Night,
Photos
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- Monday 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM
- Tuesday
- Tuesday Hours 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM
- Wednesday
- All Day - Restaurant 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM
- Thursday
- All Day - Restaurant 11:30 AM - 12:00 AM
- Friday
- All Day - Restaurant 11:30 AM - 12:00 AM
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed - Restaurant
Customer Reviews & Ratings
4.72 out of 5 stars based on 636 votes
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 15, 2024
Olga N.
The server was fantastic. Knowledgeable, attentive, kind and quick. We had a great experience. Thank you!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 01, 2024
Tamara B.
The wait staff was absolutely amazing and very understanding of my chlorine allergy. Extremely gracious when my friends had a lot of requests.
I was incredibly impressed.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 28, 2024
Robyn S.
We had a lovely lunch on the patio ( best in Hamilton) overlooking the ravine. Our waiter was friendly and super efficient. It is always a great experience!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 10, 2024
Marsha S.
Very lively place. The service was exceptional. My companion has some food issues and they tried their best to accommodate her. And the onion rings were spot on.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 15, 2024
Shelley R.
Food and service were great! Thanks!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 2/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 5/10
Mar 14, 2024
Emily G.
my Ceasar salad had so much dressing I couldn't eat it. Too bad since I paid the upcharge for a premium side
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 23, 2024
Jen B.
I spoke to the server about a quick turnaround time due to the fact that we had a meeting, and the server accommodated us amazingly, and we greatly appreciated his efforts
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Feb 17, 2024
Loretta L.
The service was great and our sever was so friendly! Food was good too! Overall, had a good time!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 20, 2023
Adrienne T.
Great food. Server was lovely. Nice festive vibe.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 07, 2023
Laura E.
The Phoenix is doing a great job - amazing food, friendly service and fun atmosphere!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 5/10
Dec 07, 2023
Vanessa H.
Service was excellent - thank you! I understand the rising costs of food and this is across the food service industry, but it would be great to have lunch cost a total of $20 with tax and a decent tip included. I would visit more frequently if I knew that it would only cost about $20. Also, the colours on the online menu were difficult to read (colour contrast). Overall it was an excellent experience and the staff did a great job.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 01, 2023
John M.
Great service, food and ambience.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 04, 2023
Ibolya I.
The staff was friendly and helpful
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 2/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 14, 2023
Paul H.
A good lunch, as always. Had a long wait for server
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 09, 2023
Sandra M.
Loved the chalice and book for my newly defended grad student. Service was top notch. Thanks!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 29, 2023
Lori H.
Free parking would be appreciated
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 28, 2023
Gesine A.
I still find it very challenging to read a menu on a phone. I'd love to see a printed menu PLEASE. Otherwise staff were friendly, food was delicious and arrived fairly quickly after we ordered.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 16, 2023
Leah A.
It was great. Nice evening. Thanks !
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Jun 08, 2023
Deb R.
I really appreciated that they accommodated our need to be in and out quickly for an afternoon meeting. Great service and tasty food!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 18, 2023
Helena C.
Thank you for the friendly service, great food and lots of laughs - Lisa, Louise and Helena
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Mar 16, 2023
Danny B.
Our server was fantastic, very polite and informative when we asked about drinks and food.
I didn't get her name but you have a very good colleague with great customer service.
Thanks and will visit again soon.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 17, 2023
Jon (aka Doc) S.
everything
food was delish and surprisingly diverse
service was friendly, as always
ambience was appropriate even the log fires on screen
value was fantastic!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 18, 2023
Maureen H.
I actually agree with the unedited ratings. Everything was great. So nice to be back!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 0/10
Nov 30, 2022
Michelle M.
Great service, can't comment on value as I did not pay the bill!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 21, 2022
Grace Y.
Steak was overdone (according to one of my guests), but I thought my food was great (if a bit cold) w/ good value. Servers were amazing.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Oct 28, 2022
Linda E.
I really do love The Phoenix and so glad we have it on campus. A few weeks ago I ordered the buffalo chicken wrap, which I always get, and I couldn't believe how small it was. I even mentioned it to our server. Then yesterday I had lunch and ordered it again and this time it wasn't as small so I was very happy about that! I would rather you raise your prices slightly rather than cut back on portion size.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
Oct 14, 2022
MILLIE T.
We had to ask our a different Waitress for our bill, since we were unable to find her. We hardly saw her at all.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 1/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 09, 2022
Jim R.
service was very slow
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 01, 2022
Savina R.
As a MAC alum, I love any reason to come back to MAC…especially to my favourite building on campus full of amazing memories of living on campus 3 of my 4 years at MAC and having enjoyed daily meals and friendship in the Refectory building. Thanks to the Grad Assoc for keeping the tradition of The Phoenix going and for being open to the public…
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Aug 12, 2022
Pat C.
Great food, great service! Strongly recommend the patio.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 03, 2022
Helena C.
Great service with a smile and friendly disposition! Thanks!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 23, 2022
Loretta R.
found the fries too greasy. otherwise good.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 11, 2022
Robyn S.
Excellent service and food!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 17, 2021
Jordan L.
I forgot the server's name but she was really nice. It was her 6th day there.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Sep 06, 2021
Chad H.
Best beer selection. Very friendly and astute staff - humourous and respectful! Food is great, but a little pricey for a campus eatery. Love the patio - favourite in Hamilton!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 03, 2021
Christine C.
love this place and the food!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 6/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Sep 03, 2021
Martin V.
We had a great time. Thanks!
Waitress did forget to give us the grad student discount after I had asked for it.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 16, 2021
Sean E.
Great food, awesome patio, good drinks. Server was great as well! Looking forward to going again.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Jun 24, 2021
Tim S.
Generally good food and faster service than when campus is fully open. Somewhat pricey compared to similar pub style food at other venues.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 08, 2020
Judith W.
awesome
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 25, 2020
Nathan C.
The phoenix patio is magical. The food is tasty pub food with portion size that is value for the dollar. The draft beer selection is second to none.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 09, 2020
Kim Y.
Great service, our waiter was on top of everything.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 05, 2020
Rose L.
I like the fact that the tables are spaced very far apart. I felt very safe and enjoyed my meal.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 15, 2020
Alan C.
Excellent food and service! We appreciated the recognition for the graduate. It's great that you've reopened.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 13, 2020
Susan H.
Great time and good service, veg nachos were not the best, only a small amount of topping and no sour cream only an extremely small tub of salsa
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 01, 2020
Christiane d.
Absolutely the most beautiful patio in Hamilton. Our server was very knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. The food, we ate vegetarian, was good.
Ratings of 10 in all categories
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 9/10
Dec 19, 2024
Linda W.
Enjoyed the experience. It was very loud but good for you guys that you were busy!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 1/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 5/10
Mar 01, 2023
Wendy D.
Service was great! Place was clean and ambience wonderful. There was nothing wrong with freshness or presentation of it. It was just not a good sandwich (I had the turkey club). It was dry and almost impossible to eat without it crumbling everywhere. I didn't finish it. I think a one layer BLT on a better quality of bread (bread was way too dry) would have been a better option.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Feb 09, 2024
George H.
Its been some time since I was last in the Phoenix
It was a pleasant surprise to see how well things are being handled now
The beer soup was spectacular! I should have asked for the recipe
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 22, 2023
Jeanette H.
My first time being there since I retired 4 years ago…loved it all
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 28, 2023
Natalie L.
We were sitting at the end closest to the restrooms and there was a distinct restroom 'scent' that was wafting toward us. Otherwise, the food and service was great as always!
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 30, 2023
Natalie L.
Great experience. First time sitting on the patio and it was lovely. No bugs. Shade options with the umbrellas and trees. Our server was excellent! We waited a bit to get our bills but when she came, she brought 2 machines so we could pay at the same time, which was great. The only comments about the food would be that my colleague and I both ordered the chicken club with no tomato. We both got tomato. We easily picked it off, but I figured it was worth mentioning in case it was a bigger issue for someone else. Otherwise, the sandwiches were good. I liked that they are served with a pickle as well (yum!) For my side, I had the roasted red pepper soup. It was good. Fresh. But a little chunkier than I anticipated. For future, I think it could use a little cream or coconut milk and maybe be more pureed. Otherwise, our visit was great and we will definitely be back!
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 6/10
Sep 14, 2022
Vanessa H.
Great service! The server was excellent and the host was friendly and helpful. Do you have an express lunch menu with certain items guaranteed to be ready in a certain amount of time? I'm usually hesitant to go to the Phoenix during lunch hour because it can take a long time for the food to be prepared, and then I have to rush to eat and get back to my office within the hour.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 6/10
May 05, 2022
Rita C.
When we were seated, no one came to take our order. We saw two tables seated after ours and orders taken. We flagged down a staff member and she was sympathetic and took our order. She put in a rush as we had to be back for a meeting. The final rating has been modified to reflect this recovery.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 23, 2021
Joanne H.
Best patio in Hamilton! Menu is still somewhat limited as post-covid reopening takes place, but enough choices to make everyone happy. Great selection of draft beer.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 3/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 7/10
Dec 19, 2023
Deborah W.
The wings were dry, over cooked and bland. I am glad I ordered the sweet potato fries. This was not my experience of the wings the last time I was at The Phoenix. The others enjoyed the Phoenix burgers and Harvest salad.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 23, 2023
Denise H.
The food was great, the beverage choice was not. We were told that no Pepsi or Coke products were available. I tried to order a mocktail, but was told there were no blenders available. I then requested an iced coffee, and was told that was not available. This was for a staff luncheon.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 1/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 5/10
Oct 14, 2022
Marzena K.
Waited over 1 hour for food to be served.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 3/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Jun 06, 2022
Kerri L.
it was unfortunate that the server wasn't able to focus on our table. Our meals were late, we ran out of water, we had to go to the front to pay our bills, we had to ask for containers for our meals. Once our meal order was placed she never returned, not once, until we had to start going to the front to pay. Sorry to provide this review, it's such a great place for a meal.. hope the service can be better next time we go.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 0/10
- Value: 0/10
Jul 03, 2020
Ron M.
It wasn't open. You should prob stop taking reservations for the Pheonix until it reopens.