The Bonfire: Halifax’s only tip-free, profit-sharing pub & grill

Comfort food off the grill on the Halifax Commons. Everyone who works here starts at $20 an hour and shares half the profits, so there’s no tip line on your bill.

Reserve a table See the menu

4.7 from 285 Google reviewsBronze, Best New Restaurant 2026 · The CoastOpens Wednesday

The making of · January 2nd, 2025

We picked up the keys.

Why there’s no tip line

We don’t accept tips

We don't think that our customers should have to subsidize the wages of our employees. All of our employees start at $20 an hour and share in 50% of the companies profits, with further profit sharing incentives for managers. We believe that a business built on collaboration is a better foundation for a restaurant experience.

From bonfirehalifax.com, word for word.

$20/hr

Where every wage starts, floor and kitchen

50%

Of the profits, split among the staff

Tip line on your bill. The price is the price.

Try it

Build your table. Keep the tip.

Tap what you’d order. Prices are from the printed menu. At most places the bottom of this bill would ask for a tip; here, wages are already paid: $20 an hour to start, plus 50% of the profits.

Food

Drinks

The Bonfire

2394 Robie Street · 902-474-3076

The Bonfire Burger$18.00
Corn Ribs (share)$17.00
Pint on tap$18.00

Subtotal$53.00

Tip$9.54

Not a thing here

You pay$53.00 + tax

We absolutely love having you! V & K xx

A 18% tip on this table would be $9.54. Here, it stays in your pocket.

See the full menu

On the record

4.7

285 Google reviews, 257 of them five stars (90%).

Reviewers bring up the no tipping policy in 10 reviews and gluten free options in 9. Google Maps, 2026-09-27.

The Coast Best of Halifax 2026, Best New Restaurant, bronze winner: The Bonfire's own announcement graphic — “We were up against some heavy hitters, with investors, consultants, strategists, full marketing teams, and a LOT more money than we do.” V + K

In the news

Global NewsThis Nova Scotia restaurant says no more to tipping, paying staff $20 an hour
CBC RadioMaritime Connection, on tip-flation and why going tip-free mattered
On TVCTV Atlantic, CBC News and Global Halifax, opening month

Raised with our guests

$4,815
for Feed Nova Scotia, $5 from every Burger Bash burger
$699.13
for Ecology Action Centre, Appetite for Action day

Every Wednesday, 8pm

Fandom trivia

Themes so far: 37
Sold out: 6
Per team: 6

Prize for best dressed!

A new fandom most weeks, hosted by owner Kristyn. Come as the character; the best costume wins.

3 rounds
3 winners
Max 6 people / team
Prize for best dressed

The Legend of Zelda trivia poster from @bonfirehalifax — The Legend of Zelda

Naruto trivia poster from @bonfirehalifax — Naruto

House trivia poster from @bonfirehalifax — House

Best dressedKeeley, Ted & Rebecca showed up to Ted Lasso trivia, BELIEVE poster and all.

Ted Lasso trivia poster from @bonfirehalifax — Ted Lasso

King of the Hill trivia poster from @bonfirehalifax — King of the Hill

RuPaul's Drag Race Music Bingo poster from @bonfirehalifax — RuPaul's Drag Race Music Bingo

South Park trivia poster from @bonfirehalifax — South Park

Best dressedSpider-Man trivia. "We did it, we did the meme."

Pride Music Bingo poster from @bonfirehalifax — Pride Music Bingo

Glee & RuPaul's Drag Race trivia poster from @bonfirehalifax — Glee & RuPaul's Drag Race

Marvel trivia poster from @bonfirehalifax — Marvel

June Is For The Girls trivia poster from @bonfirehalifax — June Is For The Girls

Pirates of the Caribbean trivia poster from @bonfirehalifax — Pirates of the Caribbean

Star Wars trivia poster from @bonfirehalifax — Star Wars

Got a team? Email to reserve.

Nights sell out, and some get a second night added. The next theme drops on @bonfirehalifax.

Reserve a trivia team All 37 themes so far

Music Bingo · 2nd & 4th Thursday, 8pm · with Good Fun Entertainment. No experience or knowledge necessary. Shazamming encouraged.

All nights at The Bonfire

The week ahead

What’s on

Trivia every Wednesday at 8pm. Music Bingo the 2nd & 4th Thursday. Worked out from the calendar in Halifax time.

Our story

Built by hand, in 3½ months

01 · January 2nd, 2025
We picked up the keys and got straight to work.
02 · Hurdle after hurdle
Denied our original name. Denied our charcoal grill. A bathroom built from scratch.
03 · The tables
His table and bench design, built right here in the dining room.
04 · All the while
Building our tables, dining room and kitchen.
05 · Kristyn's dad
In here every day for months. So the salad is named after him.
06 · April 16th, 2025
Three and a half months later: first day open.

V & K xx

Vince in the doorway of 2394 Robie Street before the build

Building a trestle table on the dining room floor

Vince with the table frames clamped up in the dining room

Finish being poured over a wooden tabletop

Kristyn's dad Tom Green and his wife at a Bonfire table on his birthday

The long wooden tables and benches along the windows of The Bonfire

Reservations

Tell us the occasion. We’ll make you a sign.

Happy Birthday Jen!

We can’t wait to see you! ♥

Include the occasion and we'll make you a sign. Kristyn's dad started the tradition of making a sign for anyone who came over to visit.

On the Commons

Come sit at a long table

2394 Robie Street, across Robie from the Halifax North Common. Dine in, or take the whole menu to go and eat on the grass. Bring your own wine for $10 a bottle.