Study Spots
Sipps: On top of amazing coffee drinks and food, this cute coffee shop downtown has nice big tables in the back that are perfect for a major study session with your friends.
Cogro: Cogro, or Common Ground Coffee House is one of the most popular places to study on campus. They serve great bagels, coffee (essential) and best of all: cake. It can get a little noisy, but for some people, that makes the perfect atmosphere for studying.
Crave: Crave Coffee House and Bakery opened just last year downtown. They have great pastries, a ton of different drinks and lots of room to spread your books out. Plus, they have a cozy fireplace in the winter!
Pubs/Bars
The Mansion: Big booths, table games and always the playing the current sports game, what more could you need for a low key night with friends. Not many people know that upstairs is a great little live music venue and on Saturday and Sunday mornings they serve a $5 breakfast.
The Brass: A fun and casual atmosphere is complimented by a typical pub menu that has all the classics, but my recommendation is the Irish nachos (waffle fries with all the regular nacho toppings) because they make the place worthwhile on their own.
Restaurants
Sima Sushi: There are many different sushi places in Kingston but this one stands out. They give big portions and the prices (especially at lunch) are reasonable. They deliver anywhere in Kingston (including res) for only $1 extra, but you don’t want to miss the dining experience of downing sashimi in this cute restaurant.
Tommy’s Diner: A Kingston staple. Tommy’s serves breakfast all day and is open 24 hours on weekends, making it the perfect place to stop by for a bite to eat no matter the time. Side note: Tommy’s has a burger challenge that has never been successfully accomplished, will you be the one to succeed where so many others have failed?
Dianne’s Fish Shack and Smokehouse: Dianne’s is just steps away from Kingston’s beautiful waterfront. They serve everything from lobster rolls and fish n’ chips to pulled pork and fried chicken as well as one of the best margaritas in town.
Mlt Dwn: This place specializes in grilled cheese, but makes it so much more with sandwiches like KD mac n’ cheese grilled cheese, a breakfast grilled cheese, a lasagna grilled cheese and a ton more. On Friday and Saturday, they’re open until 3 a.m. plus they deliver so it’s great for a late night at the library or in desperate need of a snack after a night out.
Fun Things to Do:
The Pier: The pier is located behind the residences down by the lake and the park surrounding it is a great place to tan, work on an essay or throw a ball during the few warm weeks we have in Kingston. Expect it to be packed during Frosh Week.
Thursday Karaoke at Tir Nan Og: Who doesn’t love some karaoke? Every Thursday night Tir Nan Og has open mic karaoke with an extensive library of songs to sing and a non-judgmental crowd.
Take Ferry to Wolfe Island: Wolfe Island is just a free 20-minute ferry ride away from downtown Kingston Wolfe Island is the biggest of the Thousands Islands and has a town with a delicious bakery, restaurants and other boutiques. While we wouldn’t recommend it during the winter, in the fall their Halloween corn maze and lots of bike paths make for a great day into the countryside.
Go to the Farmer’s Market: Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday you can enjoy the Farmer’s Market in front of City Hall. They offer everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to baked goods and clothing.
Eat on Campus
Queen’s Pub: Queen’s Pub serves classic pub items like burgers and sandwiches — an nachos after 8 p.m.— at a student-friendly price. They’re also known for their sangria pitchers and Monday night screening of The Bachelor. It is a great place to grab some food between classes with friends or relax after a long week, plus it’s entirely student-run.
The Brew: The Brew is an extension of Cogro and is located in the JDUC. Every day of the week they have a different soup and each one is amazing. They also have sandwiches, bagels, coffee and dessert, plus seats to eat or do work that are typically a little calmer and quieter then Cogro.
Canadian Grilling Company: Visit the Canadian Grilling Company in Mac-Corry for the best burger in Kingston. They have many different types of burgers (plus vegan burgers and gluten free buns) as well as sweet potato fries, milkshakes and build-your-own salads. The best news is that last semester they added breakfast to the menu that is served everyday until 10 a.m.
Lazy Scholar: Lazy Scholar is a staple in the diet of every first year student. Located in the basement of Victoria Hall, it’s open until 12 a.m. every weekday and 2 a.m. on weekends. They have everything from sandwiches and chicken tenders to pasta and baked goods. Ask any upper year and they remember the legendary curly fries. There’s also lots of seating and games like ping pong and foosball that make it a great place to hang out when you need a break from studying and homework.
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