George Street in downtown St. John’s is two blocks of bars, pubs and restaurants – and nothing else. It’s the centre of the entertainment district and its reputation has spread far and wide. It has inspired songs and jokes, and has been a magnet for musicians and their fans for a couple of decades. Everyone from Ron Hynes to Great Big Sea to Blue Rodeo has played here, either in the club and pubs or at one of the street’s two annual festivals.

Running parallel to and between Water and New Gower streets, it’s open to vehicular traffic only in the morning for restaurants and bars to replenish their stocks. From noon, pedestrians can stroll in the street, and stroll they do into the wee hours, frequenting a wide variety of establishments ranging from tiny rooms to expansive outdoor covered decks. The variety of music is just as wide: jazz, hip-hop, rock, traditional, blues, alt-country and karaoke, all competing for the customers’ ears over the non-stop buzz of people having a good time.

And because this is St. John’s and things are a little different here, the street celebrates Mardi Gras in October when everyone else is having Octoberfest. The biggest festival, however, is the George Street Festival which fills up the six days leading to the first Wednesday in August, known here as Regatta Day, a civic holiday featuring a day-long series of rowing races on Quidi Vidi lake near downtown. Portions of the Busker’s Festival and Wreckhouse Jazz Festival also find fans here.

During the George Street Festival, the street is gated and an admission fee is charged to hear the non-stop rock concert at Prince Edward Plaza, an outdoor stage near the street’s eastern end. People can listen to the music or wander from bar to bar.

George Street isn’t the only place to practice being young. There are pubs, restaurants and coffee shops throughout the St. John’s downtown area, some hidden in side alleys, some spilling onto the sidewalks.

There’s a wide variety of cuisines on offer, too, everything from traditional dishes like Jigg’s Dinner to Italian to high-end Continental to Asian Fusion style – something to match every taste and every budget.

For listings and news on all the great events (big or small!) check out What’s On George, a go-to resource for all downtown happenings.