By Meredith Dault, Senior Communications Officer

Its big, group-friendly tables, sunny patio and popular menu are already beloved among members of the Queen’s community. Now the rest of the country will have a chance to champion the The Grad Club in an online contest that is currently on-the-hunt for Canada’s Favourite Bar. It is one of 100 establishments across the country shortlisted as part of the contest being run by Air Canada’s enRoute magazine.

Niq Gryphon, Scotty Ogini, Paige McDermid and Tim Lucyk (left to right) are a few of The Grad Club staff members who have helped put the establishment in the running to be named Canada's favourite bar by Air Canada's EnRoute magazine.

“It’s been a great honour to be recognized,” says Virginia Clark, manager at The Grad Club, “especially because we were the only bar in Kingston that was selected in a city with some pretty great competition.” Ms. Clark (Artsci’94), who says she was notified of the nomination by email, is pleased to be in good company with some of the country’s best independent drinking holes in cities including Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

The contest’s website describes The Grad Club as “a meandering old townhouse filled with nooks and crannies for late-night tête-à-têtes over perfectly poured pints,” where it currently stands among the country’s top 50 bars.

The establishment that receives the most votes between July 7 and Sept. 8 will be named “Canada’s Favourite Bar” in the December issue of Air Canada’s enRoute magazine. One lucky voter will also win an all-expenses paid party at one of the nominated bars.

For more information, and to cast a vote, visit the contest website. Click here to learn more about The Grad Club.