Copacabana & Jay’s Scratch Kitchen

the place didn’t leave me much of an impression so i’m only reviewing their sangria as i was pretty absorbed by my date conversation.
service was ok, waitress did leave to go grab glasses of water before we finished ordering which was a half pitcher of sangria. it left us in a state of confusion as we weren’t sure if she got us or she was just pissed.
sangria was ok. it wasn’t sweet or anything. it was loaded in alcohol taste which is good but you do want some sweetness and fruits flavor.
anyway, from sitting at their street terrace during the street sale, it’s an ok experience. the flashing light in the back didn’t help. was more annoying than anything

Checked out this bar on Saturday afternoon.
Forgot the bartender’s name but he was cool peoples.
Told my friend and I about the nightlife, little bit of the culture of the city, some places we should visit, things like that.
We returned later that evening to a nice packed bar (25 – 35 people). People playing Poole, music on the joop box, very much a dive bar atmosphere but awesome time all the same.

Not my favorite dive bar, but I definitely see what people really dig it. Copacabana is great for sitting down at a table and sinking a few pitchers of beer with your friends.
Also, their kitchen serves up some surprisingly good Indian food for a dive bar. The pakoras are some of the best I’ve ever had.
I’d recommend Copacabana for a pre-​night-​out snack and pitcher any time — but I’d stress the importance of moving on if you’re looking for some real action.

The multi-​headed hydra that is Copacabana!
First introduced to this watering hole as an undergraduate attending Concordia, I looked upon it as a convenient place to meet up with friends along the Main without enduring the knowing seediness of Miami or Biftek, and also without having to shell out too much of a student loan to drink well. The long-​standing waitress is a Gypsy. I think she can speak Romanian, too. There’s a pool table at the back with ample elbow room, and a couple of flat-​screens so you can watch hockey games, or whatever it is they happen to be showing.
But Copa’s other head, and the one that I’m more keen on is the Scratch Kitchen, run outta the tiny space in the back by Chef Jay Taylor, the mustachioed half-​curmudgeon. Jay fuses elements of Indian (might remember that from his days at the resto on Duluth which now houses Reservoir) with straight-​up bistro fare. I’m personally partial to the steak with a lime butter topping, and accompanied by the legendary yam fries (a beloved menu item), preceded by an appetizer of pakoras. Best served rare to medium rare.
The menu varies, especially in the meat department, depending on what Jay finds. The last time I ate there I had some great venison skewers.
The current server Maryanna is personable, funny and friendly, and should be tipped handsomely.