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Good ‘Hood: James Street North

The artistic forces that occupy James Street North, one of Hamilton’s oldest neighbourhoods, are upending Steeltown’s rep with mixed media and world-class creative license. Five years ago, this corridor between downtown and the waterfront, just around the corner from one of the country’s best galleries, Art Gallery of Hamilton, didn’t really have an arts scene. It was a working-class, multicultural mix of retail stores, restaurants and social clubs. Now it’s been dubbed by some as Hamilton’s burgeoning equivalent to SoHo in New York City—with a rough flair all it’s own, of course.

SkyDragon Co-op and Bread and Roses Café

No tour of James Street is complete, however, without hitting the SkyDragon for their 24-hour Artathons. Expect 20-year-old hippie-types sitting in a circle sipping jasmine tea, crafting music and art with plans to change the world—or at least Hamilton.
 

The Print Studio

This world-class printmaking school and gallery is a showcase for both seasoned and blooming artists. The not-for-profit charitable arts organization facilitates the production of both contemporary and traditional print media by printmakers, photographers and digital artists.
 

Factory Hamilton Media Arts Centre

This theatre always promises a screening of obscure film orvideo with popcorn aplenty. Along with film screenings, workshops are available for those wishing to gain a leg up.
 

Pearl Company

Every first and second Friday of the month, the nightlife on James Street North is abuzz. You wouldn’t be hard pressed to find under-30 scenesters mixing with a middle-aged, name-tagged bunch on a bus tour by the Pearl Company. Each tour covers various locations throughout Hamilton, bringing art and a social night together.
 

Wild Orchid

Choosing just one of the area’s plentiful Portuguese restaurants is tough, but authenticity reigns at Wild Orchid. Here, it’s all seafood seafood seafood, some fava beans, some chorizo—all in huge portions served on copper platters. The Filetes Com Arroz—fish with seafood rice that is “served at every Portuguese wedding,” according to the waitress—is scrumptious. And the sand-washed walls, faux-aged ceramics and long curved bar give the place a feel of new and old, just like the clientele.
 

Faema Company Ltd.

Vivacious Esperanza Perez-Vela serves up the city’s best Italian espresso at this essential fuel stop before taking on the James Street crawl. She’s been here for half-a-century, selling quality espresso and cappuccino equipment for restaurants, cafes, hotels, offices and for home use.
 

Art Gallery of Hamilton

The Art Gallery of Hamilton is just around the corner to the historic James Street North - the corridor between downtown and the waterfront.

photo: TomFleming