The responses poured in - through emails, comments, and lively threads across our social channels - and we’ve crunched every last vote. Now, the results are in. Here’s to the pubs that shaped countless Trent memories, conversations, and friendships - according to the people who knew them best: our alumni.
The Commoner quickly became the on‑campus hotspot on East Bank – famous for its packed lineups, legendary late‑night pizzas, and its distinct identity as a fully student‑run space with no college affiliation. Known equally for its lively crowds and its long‑rumoured ghostly hauntings, The Commoner remained a Trent icon until its closure in 1999, and it came in as our top alumni pub pick with a resounding 58% of the vote!
“The Commoner. Without a doubt. An old farmhouse turned pub, with an ancient pinball machine, old furniture out by the river.”
JeffHubbell '81(Julian Blackburn College)
The Céilie, also known as ‘The Keep,’ in the early days, is a cozy and familiar pub within Champlain College, now beloved as a fireside retreat serving comforting pub classics. But alumni also remember a livelier past – one touted as the centre of the community – fun, loud, hot, and crowded; a place where the energy was as memorable as the company.
“From hanging out between classes to late nights dancing away before heading back to AB staircase to sleep it off – the Céilie was the place to be! Sure, there were other pubs, but the best was the Céilie!”
LauraBright '97(Champlain College)
The Trend, nestled in Wallis Hall at Traill College, opened in 1968 and quickly became a vibrant hub of Traill life. With its welcoming atmosphere, creative energy, shuffleboard table, music, and great beer selection, it’s fondly remembered as a favourite gathering place for generations of students.
"The Trend! Many a Thursday night was spend there drinking way too much beer there drinking way too much beer, playing shuffleboard and listening to Van Morrison's Moondance album."
GrégoireCrevier '81(Traill College)
Beloved for its creative, anything‑goes energy, The Jolly Hangman at Peter Robinson College grew into a spirited cultural hotspot where students explored music, art, and bold ideas. By day it offered a quiet, student‑run retreat; by night it shifted into a lively, crowded, and smoky pub – complete with rowdy music, weekly dances, and live bands. Tiny, vibrant, and affectionately dubbed ‘the shack by the tracks,’ it remains remembered as a place where community and late‑night imagination thrived.
"Jolly Hangman...never knew who would drop by and join the band or what wackiness might ensue!”
ShawnHeard '84(Peter Robinson College)
The Cat’s Ass was Otonabee’s go‑to spot for unbeatable music and the liveliest dancing – paired with famously questionable ventilation. Beloved for its laid‑back chaos and campus camaraderie, it stood as a defining hub of OC student life. There was simply something about the place that encouraged people to make complete fools of themselves – and have an unforgettable time doing it.
“The Cat’s Ass Pub was my first on-campus job at Trent. It’s where I met many friends, had a ton of fun, and learned to be a bartender/bouncer! There were many late nights at the Cat’s Ass Pub, tearing up the dance floor, playing intense rounds of trivia, and listening to great OC musical talents at coffee houses. It was always a place for community building and creating lasting memories.”
ChrisGlover '01(Otonabee College)
A legendary fixture of Lady Eaton College, Crawpadies – originally known as Thee Place – offered great music, competitive pool games, busy dance floors, and the kind of welcoming pub atmosphere alumni still reminisce about. Though long since closed, its spirit lives on in LEC lore, fondly remembered by all who packed its dance floor.
“I, the Mountain is a pop folk band that began at Lady Eaton College in 2012. Matt Lamers ’10 and I met there, and Crawpadies quickly became our spot. Some of our first jams, ideas, and late‑night conversations happened in that pub. So much of the band’s early spark came from those nights at Crawpadies.”
MatthewRappolt '11(Lady Eaton College)
Once a poetic expression of individuality, the em dash now reveals the limits of AI-generated voice.
Your next great book is waiting! Catch up on the latest books by Trent alumni and faculty authors.
