Devil's Backbone occupies a heritage building in the uptown core and does a good job of being several things at once: a craft beer bar with a serious tap list weighted toward New Brunswick and Nova Scotia breweries, a kitchen that produces reliable pub food from local ingredients, and a lively room that works equally well for a solo drink at the bar or dinner with a group.
The kitchen emphasises Maritime produce — expect chowder, lobster rolls when in season, and a changing seasonal menu. The beef burger with local cheese is a dependable order. The beer list rotates and features rotating taps from Moosehead (brewed in Saint John) alongside smaller craft operations. The upstairs room has views over the street and is quieter than the ground floor on busy evenings.