The year in style 2011
Published Thursday December 29th, 2011
What was hot - and not - in 2011
Moncton
Plan B
The little bar that could. It seems like there's no stopping this St. George Street venue that's quickly earning a reputation among musicians as one of the best places to play and is a fail-safe for a good time any day of the week.
Old Triangle
An ideal spot to grab a quick beer or spend the night throwing back shots. There's something about the low lights, dark woods, deep booths and acoustic guitar that makes one want to drink like they're at an Irish wake.
Tide and Boar Gastropub
A place that's classy enough to share a bottle of wine with a date, but not so much that it's an uncomfortable place to kill a couple pitchers with friends. Its stage is small, but a great place to catch late-night solo shows.
Parkindale Hall
Technically, this community hall isn't a "bar," but its regular live shows have garnered such a following (with stripped-down sets, baked goods and high fives all around), every night at the hall is like a giant country kitchen party.
Marky's Laundromat
This corner coffee/beer bar is the epitome of relaxation and kickin' back. Whether you're sipping an imported brew on the streetside patio in the summer, or nursing a winter warmer behind its frosty windows during the colder months, the Laundromat is a safe bet for good times.
Fredericton
Capital Complex
A trifecta of awesomeness all in one place, the complex's three bars give you space to watch a show, dance your ass off or chill on a couch with your buddies.
Boom! Nightclub
The best dance bar in the city, Boom!'s inclusive atmosphere and high-energy DJ's will treat you right, plus Thursday night karaoke is always a fave.
Corked
The new kid in town: this uber classy wine bar serves red, white and sparkling wines plus a variety of spirits and hosts a trivia night every week.
Cellar Pub & Grill
Hidden in the basement of UNB's Student Union Building, The Cellar has cold pitchers, cheap food, procrastinating students and live music.
Lunar Rogue
Fredericton's version of Cheers -- friendly, no-nonsense service with plenty of selection, not to mention its been voted one of the best whisky bars in the world.
Saint John
Sunstar Lounge
Closed in March of this year, this was the go-to spot for punks and metalheads to mosh, head bang and get wasted.
Peppers Pub
This venue hosts some of the most popular live acts that roll through the Port city. If you're hungry for chicken and pain, try their hot wing challenge.
The Vintage Bistro & Lounge
This Hampton spot is on top of their game when it comes to show bookings, setting up a slew of them most weeks.
Happinez Winebar
The place to unwind with a glass of vino. Check in to see their wine of the month.
Tonic Nightclub
The place to go when you want to ditch your inhibitions and dance like a fool to trashy club music.
Moncton
Cottage rentals - Ah, summertime when the livin's easy. If you've got cash to blow, New Brunswick is the place to vacation. From the crappiest clapboard cabin by the swamp to the most bourgeois 10-bedroom mansion on the beach, renting seaside accommodations for a week can set you back enough to pay your mortgage for a couple of months. Ri-donk-u-lous.
Saint John
Smart Phone - I was the first of my friends to own a smart phone. I used the built-in GPS to direct us to Montreal, I searched lyrics to songs we could only half-remember, I booked dinner reservations. We lovingly called it the "space phone" because it looked like something out of a Star Trek episode.
Fredericton
Woven photo blanket - You've just taken a stunning photo of your favourite people with all the right lighting, angelic expressions and none of that pesky red eye. Is your first thought to have it blown up and transferred onto a woven blanket? Thanks to modern technology, you're in luck. Next time you fall asleep on the couch, you could wake up to a giant image of your childhood pet draped over you. With photo blankets, the opportunities are endless.
Baggy stuff
No curves? Don't worry about it. Fat? No problem. In baggy tops, we all look the same!
Ray-ban Wayfarers
If you're into UV protection and looking fashionable in any situation, a pair of Wayfarers are essential. They say, "I'm into cool things, but I'm not a dick about it."
Natural make-up
This year, we exchanged caked-on foundation, spider lashes and clown cheeks for clean, fresh faces.
Partially shaved heads
Women and men alike buzzed the sides of their scalps, sculpting their remaining tresses into a single wave of hair that trickled down their forehead.
High boots
It doesn't matter how drab your outfit is, a pair of high boots always pulls it all together and makes you look like you're ready to strut.
Geek glasses
In our appropriation of geek culture, we, in true bully fashion, snagged their glasses, and I'm not fighting it.
Neon colour blocking
Oversized fluorescent pink clutches, bright blue skinny jeans, this trend is anything but bland.
Equestrian boots
Tall leather boots will instantly pull together any outfit, and make you feel better about wearing leggings as pants.
Vintage dresses
You get to shop for cheap at a thrift store, wear something that celebrates your womanly curves, and have your grandmother totally respect your outfit.
Coral
The colour experts at Pantone chose Tangerine Tango as 2011's colour of the year. The coral shade was everywhere, from lipsticks to bridesmaid dresses.
Mom jeans
We get it, you're retro and thrifty. It doesn't matter how European and hip they are, there's never a good excuse for denim camel toe.
Half-shaved hair
You're SO original. You're probably the only one at this indie show with that haircut. Oh, except for the girl over there, and that one over there...and that one over there.
Onesies
When you're an adult, pants and shirts are two separate pieces. Not one.
Sculptural shoes
You're not Lady Gaga, and you look like an idiot.
The Poof
Popularized by Snooki of Jersey Shore fame, women have been teasing and hairspraying their tresses to obnoxiously towering heights.
Uggs
Equally beloved and maligned, Uggs are the slouchy, fuzzy winter trend that won't die; they're the Crocs of cold weather.
Jeggings
Manufacturers of jeggings have been known to take a photograph of real jeans and imprint it onto leggings, giving the illusion of pockets and stitching. Anyone know how to make that illegal?
Short dresses
Hey girl, if you can't sit down or bend over to put on your shoes, your dress is too short for you.
Fascinators
The Royal Wedding didn't mean all British people wear ugly headpieces regularly, and you shouldn't either.
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