Gus' Pub & Grill

"Whenever we have big metal shows, we order extra Olands," says Jake Cuming, a bartender at Gus'. He stresses Olands, Olands, and more Olands. Plus cheap draughts. And whiskey shots---"The hard stuff."

2605 Agricola Street, 423-7786

The Company House

CoHo owner Mary Ann Daye suggests a bit of the hard stuff for courage---"Perhaps a Jameson's whiskey and a shot of tequila"---but says Jager is a definite no-no for singer-songwriter inspirations. Propeller Bitter and IPA are her biggest hits and there's always tea with honey for those scratchy throat nights.

2202 Gottingen Street, 404-3050

Seahorse Tavern

The Tavern's heavy amber beer---Propeller Horsepower---packs a heavy punch, and has been fuelling the sweat of punk and metal fans each show. "The kids get licked off it," says Seahorse booking manager Troy Arsenault. At $3.50 a pint, it's no wonder.

1665 Argyle Street, 423-7200

The Bus Stop Theatre

Howard Beye, Bus Stop owner, has gone a step further and coined a singer-songwriter-inspired drink after the "fanciful idea that you would have arrived [made it big] as a singer-songwriter when you had played Helsinki, Finland." Mix a half glass of ice, one part vodka, half part Grand Marnier, splash of lime juice and fill the glass with cranberry juice.

2203 Gottingen Street