Lights, camera, lunch time
Hamilton Prop House offers a unique setting for a coffee, drinks or a meal, including a train car set.
Hamilton Prop House burst onto the restaurant scene this summer with an exciting new concept, the likes of which have never been seen before in this city. It’s a working film prop house where you can sit down at one of more than 20 sets and order a coffee, plug in your laptop to get some work done, or meet a client over lunch inside a real train car set. It’s the brainchild of Simon Winterson, owner of Hamilton film studio Digital Canaries. Winterson is big on sustainability, like reusing sets from locally shot films. Welcoming the public to enjoy them is yet another innovative use.
“Where else can you sit and eat on a train set or a patio with a backdrop from a TV show set? Where else can you have lunch and then shop the film wardrobe boutique on site?” Winterson asks as he gestures to the enormous space around us as we sit at the bar.
There are two matching bars, both having once served as the set for the popular Netflix series Drink Masters. The Wellness Bar is alcohol free, while the other, dubbed Bar-Bar, is for those wanting to imbibe.
On the wellness side, you can try hop waters and sparkling teas from Ontario-made Headwaters Beverage Co. or a made-to-order mocktail from the extensive alcohol-free menu.
At the Bar-Bar, you can try cocktails like The Dude’s White Russian, or Don Draper’s Old Fashioned. You’ll find local favourites from Collective Arts, Simcoe’s Frisky Beaver Wines, and spirits from Brantford’s Manns Distillery.
The Craft Services menu is simple and evolving, currently offering various summer salads plus an assortment of desserts, and locally made Comeback Snacks popcorn.
An adorable train car café bar, connected to the main space but with a quick-access door to Barton, opens in August, where you’ll be able to pick up your morning coffee. Follow @hamiltonprophouse on Instagram for updates on the opening.
Watch for theme nights, like alcohol-free info night, and speed dating, on the film sets.
Hamilton Prop House
hamiltonprophouse.com
422 Barton St. E., Hamilton
