Booze Away That Chill in Your Bones at UpNorth, a New Canadian Bar in Bushwick

Suzanna Heldring

@suzyheldring

A Canadian-inspired bar called UpNorth has recently opened in Bushwick, and it’s got the beer, cocktails, and snacks you need to warm up from the late-March chill we’re in.

You may already be familiar with owners’ Marcel and Harold Simoneau’s first bar venture, Noorman’s Kil. Located in Williamsburg, this nationally acclaimed spot is best known for its grilled cheeses and extensive whiskey menu. 

After the success of Noorman’s Kil, the two were ready to start something new, so they teamed up with Thomas Wilson to create UpNorth, which is located at 17 Wyckoff Ave. near the Jefferson Street station. The Canadian-born pair says the idea behind this placed was rooted in nostalgia: They grew up in Quebec and wanted to bring “a little taste of their hometown to New York.”

The interior of this converted warehouse is exceptionally designed with high ceilings, industrial metal, reclaimed wood, and exposed brick, with subtle nods to home in the Canadian-Maplewood bar and hand-woven tapestries from Nova Scotia.

The food menu offers six different types of poutine, a classic Quebecois dish of fries and cheese curds covered with gravy, for $8-$16; there are a couple of “not poutine” options, as well. Le UpNorth is a notable mention: It’s a $14 burger made of grass-fed beef, topped with maple bacon, mushrooms, gruyere, and served on a brioche bun.

As for drinks, there really is something for everyone’s taste. The beer menu is pretty extensive, with a number of competitively priced craft brews ($7) and even some good old American swill in a bottle (Miller High Life, $4). With the exception of the St-Ambroise oatmeal stout, however, the only Canadian brews at UpNorth are Molson and Labatt Blue. 

There are over 75 different whiskeys, and the cocktail menu, which changes seasonally, includes classics such as the Old Fashioned ($12) and original mixes such as the “Rose is a Rose” ($14) with gin, rosewater, pomegranate, elderflower, and mint. 

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All photos courtesy of UpNorth