armdale yacht club prison

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Prisons of Halifax’s past

November 25, 2014, 9:30 am

These days, if you’re convicted of a crime around here, you’re likely put in the paddy wagon and sent off to the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Burnside, or Truro’s Nova Institution for Women — but what was the one-stop shop for criminals decades, or even hundreds of years ago in Halifax?

Well, given our city’s rich history and lengthy timeline, there were, in fact, three main prisons that opened and closed over the years.

The most recently-closed down was Rockhead Prison , which  opened in 1854 and shut its doors over a century later. It was built near the corner of Leeds and Novalea (then Gottingen) in North End Halifax.

The old Rockhead Prison, which sat at the far side of the city’s north end. (Photo: Stephen Archibald)

The Northwest Arm Penitentiary  (or, the Nova Scotia Penitentiary) was built in 1844, right outside of Point Pleasant Park in the city’s far south end, and operated for 36 years when it was replaced by Dorchester Penitentiary (New Brunswick) in 1880. After that, the building served several different purposes, but was later demolished in 1948.

Rumour has it,  rock and rubble from this prison was used to build parts of Saint Mary’s University, just around the corner.

The Northwest Arm Penitentiary, right on the edge of Point Pleasant Park. (Photo: Nova Scotia Museum)

And thirdly, Melville Island Prison – which is now the Armdale Yacht Club – has a captive history of POWs dating back to the Napoleonic Wars in the early 1800s as well as the War of 1812. This site also held refugees escaping slavery in the US, as well as quarantined patients and various other prisoners over the years.

Directly across from the prison (er – yacht club), is the aptly-named, “Deadman’s Island,” where hundreds of soldiers and prisoners’ bodies now lie in unmarked graves.

A before and after shot of Melville Island Prison, which is now Armdale Yacht Club.

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87-year-old billionaire Joe Lewis gets no prison time after pleading guilty in insider trading case

British billionaire Joe Lewis, whose family trust owns the Tottenham Hotspur soccer club, will not spend any time in prison after  pleading guilty  to insider trading and conspiracy charges in New York, a federal judge said Thursday.

Judge G.L. Clarke cited Lewis’ decision to promptly come to the United States to  face charges  and his failing health, along with a lifetime of good works, in ruling that Lewis will face three years on probation and a $5 million fine rather than time behind bars.

Lewis, 87, was wearing an eye patch and one of his hands shook steadily throughout the one-hour proceeding in a federal court in Manhattan. He has remained in the United States since last July.

Before he was sentenced, Lewis spoke briefly, saying he learned growing up in England during World War II how “precious” life is and decided to devote much of his life to finding a cure for “horrendous diseases.”

“Your honor, I’m here today because I made a terrible mistake. I’m ashamed,” he said.

Lewis said he hoped “to make amends and to rebuild the trust that I have squandered” for the remainder of his life.

U.S. sentencing guidelines had called for Lewis, a citizen of the United Kingdom and resident of the Bahamas, to serve 18 months to two years behind bars. Even prosecutors, though, agreed time behind bars was not necessary.

At his January plea, Lewis admitted that he agreed in 2019 to share secrets about publicly traded companies with several individuals. Prosecutors said afterward that his company, Broad Bay Limited, and Lewis would pay $50 million in financial penalties, the largest such penalty for  insider trading  in a decade.

His lawyer said Thursday that the money was in escrow and ready to be paid and plans were for him to leave the United States for the Bahamas on Thursday night.

Prosecutors wrote in their presentence submission that Lewis deserved leniency because he is older and “battles significant health issues” that would cause a term of imprisonment to be more difficult for him than others.

They cited his acceptance of responsibility that he demonstrated by voluntarily surrendering rather than forcing a drawn-out extradition battle, and said that he’d “otherwise lived a law-abiding life.”

The government also noted that Lewis is recognized as one of the 500 richest people in the world with approximately $6.2 billion as of February, including homes in several countries; a $250 million yacht; private planes valued at $90 million and an art collection worth $100 million.

When she announced the sentence, the judge said: “It is clear to me that Mr. Lewis’s life would be at serious risk if he were to be incarcerated.”

Defense attorneys said in their presentence submission that Lewis “is nearing the end of life in declining health.”

They said Lewis was aware that his conviction meant he can’t return to the United States to see his children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren, who all live in the U.S.

From the start, Lewis was no ordinary defendant. After his arrest less than a year ago, he had been free on $300 million bail after putting up a yacht and private plane as collateral.

In court papers, prosecutors said Lewis learned secrets about public companies after making large investments. They said that on at least four occasions, he tipped off his girlfriend, personal pilots, employees and friends, enabling them to profit from the secrets.

“This insider trading was not the result of aberrant, one-time conduct, but rather, a troubling pattern of misconduct over the course of several years,” they wrote.

Prosecutors said the insider activity might have resulted from “hubris, ego, a desire to make a financial gift without parting with his own money, an irrational form of greed, or some other reason.”

But, regardless, “it is clear that Lewis believed he was above the law — that he had achieved a level of wealth and stature that relieved him from having to operate by the same rules that apply to everyday investors,” prosecutors said.

As he left the courthouse, Lewis was surrounded by aides who blocked members of the media from seeing him as he walked a short distance to a waiting vehicle.

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Business Details

Carl Goodwin

902-477-4617

[email protected]

75 Burgee Run,Halifax,NS,B3P 0C9,Canada

Business name : Armdale Yacht Club

Although only 75 years old itself, the club can be tied to events dating back at least to 1732. The beautiful island we call home has, since the arrival of the Europeans, been a family estate, hospital, quarantine station, military prison, prisoner of war camp, recruit training station for the British Foreign Legion, ammunition depot and a yacht club. Wayward soldiers and sailors were jailed here as early as 1803. Beginning in 1808 French prisoners began arriving during the Napoleonic Wars. American prisoners captured during the war of 1812 also paid a reluctant visit to what by then had been named Melville Island after Henry Dundas, the Viscount Melville, a person of “provincial dialect and ungraceful manner”. In the early years, the island changed hands many times between various civilian owners, the British Army and the Royal Navy. The Canadian Military took control of the four acre island in 1905. The stone prison on the site was used during the first World War to house German prisoners of war. The Military moved out in 1945 and soon after, the founders of Armdale Yacht Club negotiated a long term lease for the land with the Department of National Defense Five buildings of that historic period remain. One of them is our club house. Built in 1808 it stands on the highest point of land on the island and gives a panoramic view of the Northwest Arm, the mooring field, marinas and yard activities. Pay a visit. Savor the legacy and the legend of Armdale Yacht Club. ^ Return to Top A Detailed History Of Armdale Yacht Club By: J. P. LeBlanc Incorporating the Armdale Yacht Club was not an event that suddenly rose from the sea floor of the Northwest Arm. It was years in the making. As the second oldest yacht club in Nova Scotia, Canada, AYC in its location has the longest association with sailing ships … bar none … certainly in Canada. At the mouth of the Northwest Arm is the oldest yacht club in North America. The Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron has existed since 1837. AYC has history and legend… far more than can be written here. In the 1920’s young men like Jack Buckley, Jim Egan, and Walter Piers led the way to the incorporation of the Armdale Yacht Club. First from a location close to Jubillee Road, then from ‘Mosey’ Stoneman’s Armdale Boat House and the Edmonds ground, AYC set itself up on Melville Island. A 1930’s challenge with those who raced on Chocolate Lake brought others to the Arm. The ‘Siskin’ was an early power boat. During the prohibition era she knew about “rum running”. Louis ‘Tookie’ Murphy (AYC’s 2nd Commodore) later became Siskin’s proud owner. Jim Egan, AYC’s first Commodore, was the owner of the other power boat ‘Comber’. When Mosey’s boathouse was torn down, a property on Edmond’s Grounds became the Club House. As membership grew, AYC moved to a second and larger house. The new location offered better moorings, a panorama of the Arm and a “great view of the races”. Then, twenty avid yachtsmen took steps to incorporate. This came from the efforts of Arthur J. Meagher and, passing by the Nova Scotia Legislature of the Armdale Yacht Club Act of 1937. The fee was set at twenty five (25) cents.

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June 9, 2020

Yacht club profile, armdale yacht club: keeps sailing tradition alive.

Nestled at the head of Halifax Harbour’s Northwest Arm on historic Melville Island is the Armdale Yacht Club (AYC).

While this year will be different because of COVID-19, “members are very optimistic about the boating season since the bubble has been expanded to include two households,” said commodore Rob Field. “The yard is very busy with boats being prepared and launched and we are excited to have Horizons opening for take-out on May 29.”

Field said the AYC is hoping to soon schedule some events for this season. “These are challenging times to be keeping a yacht club prospering with physical distancing in place. We have had a virtual AGM to continue the business of the club and hopefully we can meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Once further direction is received from the province the AYC will be making a decision whether or not they will be offering their Learn to Sail program this year, said Field.

The Armdale Yacht Club.

“For the past several years, AYC’s Learn to Sail program has been offered to adults and families. Lessons are taught primarily using three Solings (22’ keel boats), though some lessons are taught using smaller dinghies. Enrollment in AYC’s programming is ordinarily near capacity, which is approximately 25 students during the summer months. AYC’s Sail Training programming offers flexible scheduling for students, which allows students with busy professional and family schedules to fit sail training in around other obligations,” said Field.

“This year, AYC has sought to expand upon its Sail Training programming by offering targeted programming to new Canadians and their families. To this end, AYC’s Sail Training is intended to serve as both an opportunity to invite new members to the Club while simultaneously broadening participation in the sport of sailing more generally.”

Field said there is no question COVID-19 will have an impact on the club’s activities and bottom line this year. “Currently our year-round dining room is closed until who knows when. We are expecting a drop in revenue from gas and diesel sales and marina and mooring rentals. With the delayed start to the season the launch schedule will be challenging. Hopefully, our caterer will survive the closure as the dining room and bar at the Club are important gathering areas.”

The Club is a very a popular venue to rent for such events as weddings, birthday parties and corporate Christmas parties, said Field.

“The club hosts approximately 30 to 40 events per year. The club has a great reputation within the community for great food and warm hospitality, not to mention the amazing view which is second to none within HRM.”

Located in the heart of the city, the club’s property can be tied to events dating back to at least 1732. Since the arrival of the Europeans, Melville Island has been a family estate, hospital, quarantine station, military prison, prisoner of war camp, recruit training station for the British Foreign Legion and an ammunition depot. After the Military vacated the four-acre island in 1945, the founders of Armdale Yacht Club negotiated a long-term lease for the land with the Department of National Defense.

The Armdale Yacht Club is one of five in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). The Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, the Shearwater Yacht Club, the Bedford Yacht Club and the Dartmouth Yacht Club round out the list.

An aerial view of the Armdale Yacht Club.

Boats at rest at the Armdale Yacht Club.

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Gran Turismo 40: Love at First Sight

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Armdale Yacht Club

Location & Hours

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75 Burgee Run

Halifax, NS B3P 2B3

About the Business

The AYC offers a complete range of facilities and services to meet the needs of today's yachtsperson, their families, friends and guests... …

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Best food in all of Nova Scotia! I don't even like carrots and they made those rainbow carrots to die for. The haddock was perfect.

Food is amazing! Beautiful restaurant with an amazing view of the northwest arm. I always love coming here. Staff are so nice and very hard working. I normally get the gluten-free panfried haddock (comes with potato croquet and buttered vegetables with lemon butter) it's DELICIOUS. Always make sure to make a reservation for lunches or for dinner (because they do get really busy) Highly recommend coming here.

I'm giving this a three because of the food I had in the restaurant. I went the the club for a meeting. The space is beautiful with lots of open seating, windows all around so you can stare at the gorgeous views of the NW Arm and sailboats. The meeting room upstairs looked like it could hold 12 people and has a gender neutral bathroom nearby and bathrooms on the main floor. There was a tv in the upstairs room that you could hook a laptop up to for presentations, but you wouldn't want much text on any slides. The service was good. The major negatives were that it's not an accessible building and the food. I had fish cakes with whole wheat toast, beans, eggs and green chow. It ended up being one of the worst brunches I've had in awhile. I couldn't taste the fish over the pepper in the fish cakes and my over hard eggs were almost crispy. If you like your beans really sweet with a maple flavour, this would be the place, but they were too sweet for me.

Went there to get more info on sailing classes and ended up get a complete tour of the place and the old jail which is still in original condition. By the end of it we had brunch at the restaurant with amazing views of the harbour. Really good food, friendly staff and beautiful views. What else do you need to start a weekend?

Food outstanding. Daily specials are very reasonable and top quality. Prime rib to die for and is accompanied by perfectly cooked vegetables. Dessert menu includes lots of chocolate offerings. Dining room offers great view of the Arm .

Armdale Yacht Club is one of the nicer spots in my opinion. There is a lot of history behind the Armdale Yacht Club, it dates back to 1732 and since has changed many a hand, it is the second oldest Yacht Club in Nova Scotia. If this island could talk, it would be amazing to here the story's. The club use to be a family estate, a prison, a hospital, ammunition depot and finally the beautiful Yacht club. Apparently there are five buildings still remaining with historical connection. The club sits overlooking the Arm. There is so much to offer a member here it is not wonder people love it. You can book the club house as well for events, a great place for a wedding reception.

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Judge shows mercy to ex-Romulus mayor who spent campaign money on yacht club, wedding

Former Romulus Mayor LeRoy Burcroff used campaign funds to help pay for his daughter's yacht club wedding, his yacht club dues and a Florida vacation with friends — but he isn't going to prison for any of it, despite his guilty plea.

Instead, a federal judge on Thursday gave the convicted ex-politician three years' probation and four months' home confinement, sparing him a prison sentence that the government sought. Federal prosecutors had requested that Burcroff be locked up for 14 months for betraying the public's trust by using more than $15,000 in campaign money for personal spending.

"The residents of Romulus, Michigan, put their trust in defendant LeRoy Burcroff. Those who supported the defendant with their wallet and their vote likely never expected this aspiring politician to spend their hard-earned money on a family wedding, a Florida vacation with friends or a yacht club membership," Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton P. Brown wrote in a sentencing memo that urged the judge to lock Burcroff up.

"Sadly, over a period of over four years, the defendant made a mockery of the city’s slogan — the 'Home of Opportunity' — by stealing thousands of dollars in campaign donations to enhance his lifestyle."

Brown added: "The defendant’s deceit and dishonesty must be punished."

'I made some terrible mistakes, made some terrible decisions'

Burcroff, though, convinced U.S. District Judge Denise Paige Hood to show him mercy. In a letter to the judge, the 59-year-old father and grandfather described himself as a prayerful man and avid community volunteer who was lucky enough to marry his high school sweetheart, raise children with her and pass down his family's theme to his kids: "Always do the right thing."

As for his crime — he pleaded guilty to wire fraud in 2022, admitting he used $4,500 in campaign funds to help cover his daughter's yacht-club wedding — he wrote:

"I agonize everyday over what I did. I wish I could do things over, but I know I can't."

He went on to say:

"I never thought I would be in this position standing before a judge, admitting to breaking the law, and asking for your leniency. ... I made some terrible mistakes, made some terrible decisions. ... I am so sorry."

While Burcroff pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, he did not admit during his plea hearing to using more than $15,000 in campaign money for personal reasons, which is what he was charged with.

According to the government, in addition to using campaign money to help pay for a wedding bar tab and church ceremony fees, Burcroff also did the following:

• In 2017, he used campaign money to overpay his membership dues at the Belleville Yacht Club. When the club realized the mistake, management wrote a $2,000 check to reimburse him for what they believed was an oversight. "This was no misstep, however," prosecutors wrote in court documents. "Upon receiving the reimbursement, (he) promptly deposited the sum into his personal bank account."
• In 2014, Burcroff bought a $23,000 Ford Focus with campaign funds that he used “extensively for personal purposes,” then later bought a $27,000 Jeep Wrangler that he used for “similar impermissible personal excursions.”
• In March 2018, he bought his way onto the board of a local trade organization, Power Transmission Distributors Association, by making a $1,000 donation to the group from his campaign account.
• In January 2019, he flew his wife and two friends to Florida for a weekend vacation — courtesy of his campaign donors. The couples stayed in a luxury hotel and dined in fine restaurants to the tune of more than $4,000 — all of which was billed to the campaign. The friends who accompanied him on the trip reimbursed him for their portion of the vacation. Burcroff then deposited the friends' money into his personal account, thus doubling his money.

In 2020, after WXYZ broke details about Burcroff's campaign scheme, Burcroff reimbursed his campaign $35,000.

Following Burcroff's sentencing hearing, U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison stated that Burcroff’s conviction and sentence"underscores our commitment to ensuring that" communities in southeast Michigan "are represented by public officials who have integrity and are seeking office not for their self-interest, but for the good of the people they are elected to represent.”

Added Detroit's FBI chief Cheyvoryea Gibson: "The former mayor's actions severely undermined the confidence of those who bestowed trust and faith in him and his office. ... We will not tolerate misconduct and will do everything we can to ensure justice is served."

Contact Tresa Baldas: [email protected]

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Armdale Yacht Club Act, SNS 1937, c 105

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Ex-Tottenham owner Joe Lewis avoids prison for insider trading

• ESPN News Services

British billionaire Joe Lewis, the former Tottenham Hotspur owner whose family trust now controls the Premier League club, will not spend any time in prison after pleading guilty to insider trading and conspiracy charges in New York, a federal judge said Thursday.

Judge G.L. Clarke cited Lewis' decision to promptly come to the United States to face charges and his failing health, along with a lifetime of good works, in ruling that Lewis will face three years on probation and a $5 million fine rather than time behind bars.

Lewis, 87, was wearing an eye patch and one of his hands shook steadily throughout the one-hour proceeding in a federal court in Manhattan. He has remained in the United States since last July.

Before he was sentenced, Lewis spoke briefly, saying he learned growing up in England during World War II how "precious" life is and decided to devote much of his life to finding a cure for "horrendous diseases."

"Your honor, I'm here today because I made a terrible mistake. I'm ashamed," he said.

Lewis said he hoped "to make amends and to rebuild the trust that I have squandered" for the remainder of his life.

U.S. sentencing guidelines had called for Lewis, a citizen of the United Kingdom and resident of the Bahamas, to serve 18 months to two years behind bars. Even prosecutors, though, agreed time behind bars was not necessary.

At his January plea, Lewis admitted that he agreed in 2019 to share secrets about publicly traded companies with several individuals. Prosecutors said afterward that his company, Broad Bay Limited, and Lewis would pay $50 million in financial penalties, the largest such penalty for insider trading in a decade.

His lawyer said Thursday that the money was in escrow and ready to be paid and plans were for him to leave the United States for the Bahamas on Thursday night.

Prosecutors wrote in their presentence submission that Lewis deserved leniency because he is older and "battles significant health issues" that would cause a term of imprisonment to be more difficult for him than others.

They cited his acceptance of responsibility that he demonstrated by voluntarily surrendering rather than forcing a drawn-out extradition battle, and said that he'd "otherwise lived a law-abiding life."

The government also noted that Lewis is recognized as one of the 500 richest people in the world with approximately $6.2 billion as of February, including homes in several countries; a $250 million yacht; private planes valued at $90 million and an art collection worth $100 million.

When she announced the sentence, the judge said: "It is clear to me that Mr. Lewis's life would be at serious risk if he were to be incarcerated."

Defense attorneys said in their presentence submission that Lewis "is nearing the end of life in declining health."

They said Lewis was aware that his conviction meant he can't return to the United States to see his children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren, who all live in the U.S.

From the start, Lewis was no ordinary defendant. After his arrest less than a year ago, he had been free on $300 million bail after putting up a yacht and private plane as collateral.

In court papers, prosecutors said Lewis learned secrets about public companies after making large investments. They said that on at least four occasions, he tipped off his girlfriend, personal pilots, employees and friends, enabling them to profit from the secrets.

"This insider trading was not the result of aberrant, one-time conduct, but rather, a troubling pattern of misconduct over the course of several years," they wrote.

Prosecutors said the insider activity might have resulted from "hubris, ego, a desire to make a financial gift without parting with his own money, an irrational form of greed, or some other reason."

But, regardless, "it is clear that Lewis believed he was above the law -- that he had achieved a level of wealth and stature that relieved him from having to operate by the same rules that apply to everyday investors," prosecutors said.

As he left the courthouse, Lewis was surrounded by aides who blocked members of the media from seeing him as he walked a short distance to a waiting vehicle.

Lewis was removed as "a person with significant control" of Tottenham in October 2022, with control handed over to a family trust. Chairman Daniel Levy is responsible for the club's operations.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Sail for Science

How sailing can help with the ocean data collection

Armdale Yacht Club

After spending a week at the Dartmouth Yacht Club, we decided it was time for a change. Regrettably, the surroundings near DYC were predominantly industrial, far from the serene setting we sought. Following a visit to Yura’s house and a stopover at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO), we set sail from DYC, heading towards the North-West Arm, located within Halifax, with our destination being the Armdale Yacht Club. Along the way, we made a brief stop at COVE, hoping to connect with our ex-colleagues, but they weren’t available at the time.

The Armdale Yacht Club possesses its unique charm. Situated on what is essentially an island, it boasts a yacht club office perched on a commanding hill, with its docks encircling the island. A bit of historical context adds intrigue to the place—this island, from the early 19th century, once housed a prison for prisoners of war, initially housing the French and later the Americans. In addition to the prison, there were facilities such as a hospital, officer quarters, and guard accommodations. In proximity, on Dead Man’s Island, lay a cemetery where deceased prisoners of war found their final resting place. In 1949, the municipality transformed the former prison into a yacht club, becoming a gathering point for yachtsmen from all corners of Halifax.

But most importantly, at this yacht club, we found a mechanic who agreed to attempt repairing our engine. The high-pressure compressor had been removed and sent for repairs, but it turned out that there were no spare parts available, leading us to endure a week-long wait for their arrival. During this time, we occupied ourselves with various other tasks on the yacht, including the use of our trusty folding bikes for exploring the surrounding area.

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Armdale Yacht Club

Ratings and reviews, location and contact.

Spinnakers Restaurant at the Armdale Yacht club is a little known for waterfront dining in the city of Halifax as most flick times the downtown, but, this place has awesome food, FREE parking onsite and the prices are better. We discovered this place about a... year ago and have visited several times with ourselves, friends and family. My parents chose it for their 59th anniversary dinner and the chef is even going to prepare a couple of special vegan entrees for my sister and her husband. The chef also runs a catering business. More

A Foodie for Spinnakers at the Armdale Yacht Club I have followed Spinnakers on Facebook with great foodie pictures for a few years so decided to have a 1st visit on Sunday. We had made a reservation the day prior and arrived late afternoon for... an early dinner. Used GPS to take us out the Purcell’s Cove Road and get us to the club (there are a few along the Arm). After being greeted and presented with the menu(s), I decided on a locally crafted IPA. Sorry cannot remember the name but it was a good beer to relax after a long walk on the Halifax Waterfront. The selection of appetizers and mains offers something for every taste and a feature of the day is also featured. We started with their Calamari served with a Tzatziki dip. Janice picked the pan fried haddock and I went for the daily special, sirloin strips with a cream cognac peppercorn sauce over pasta. After nibbling on the calamari and enjoying the beer, our mains arrived fresh from the Chef’s Kitchen. The beef special was very enjoyable with the sirloin strips appropriately tender. I was tempted to order a second piece of garlic toast. Janice’s haddock was fresh and served at a nice temperature with the accompanying salad. I was able to take some of the calamari and pasta home with me for lunch the next day therefore there was room for dessert. Desserts of the day on Sunday were a gingerbread or a shared piece of incredible cheesecake. (see photo). Had a great post dinner chat with Horizon Catering Owner Andy Thomson who runs Spinnakers. Happy to report he has been busy with business despite Covid-19. He and his team do a great catering business in addition to the daily restaurant offerings. His chef is a former employee of Il Trulo from Dartmouth so you can be assured of great dishes. The view from our window table was beautiful as many of the sailing boats and yachts sailed back in after a Sunday on the Harbour. Customers who were no doubt members started to arrive as we were leaving. Spinnakers is open 7 days a week – if you decide to give it a try, call in advance. More

The atmosphere is nice, view is great, the service was satisfactory. The pan fried haddock dinner was all overdone, tasteless and greasy. I usually eat anything; I’m not picky at all but I could barely choke down the few bites I did take. I’m not... going to chance returning to try anything else on the menu. More

Food is amazing! Beautiful restaurant with an amazing view of the northwest arm. I always love coming here. Staff are so nice and very hard working. I normally get the gluten-free panfried haddock (comes with potato croquet and buttered vegetables a/ lemon butter) it’s DELICIOUS.... Always make sure to make a reservation for lunches or for dinner (because they do get really busy) Highly recommend coming here. More

Lunch with a friend, both our meals were top notch. The fish and chips were great and my steak sandwich was 10 / 10 with a tasty sauce and done to perfection fries! I think this is a separate restaurant leased within the Yacht Club... hence the views. I'll be back SOON More

AYC has great food at reasonable prices and the best view in Halifax. The menu offers a wide variety of selections. Wait staff are great. Best to make a reservation as it is a popular spot to eat.

This is a lovely spot with a beautiful view. Why bother with the headache of downtown Halifax when you can come here? As suggested in other reviews, we made a reservation and were required to sign in. You don’t have to be a member. We... were very pleased with the staff, they were helpful. The meals were good, highly recommend the lamb and the halibut. We will be back! The only thing that can be a potential problem is that there is wheelchair accessibility into the restaurant but to get to the washrooms the only way is a flight of stairs. More

Unfortunately, my family had a really negative experience trying to dine here and I could not recommend it at all. We are visiting Halifax and have experienced nothing but the best of East Coast Nova Scotian hospitality up until now. We walked onto the 100%... empty outdoor patio with our leashed Golden Retriever, and were immediately scolded and turned away. To be clear, I completely respect a business owner’s choice to decline dogs however, chastising complete strangers in a condescending and abrasive way simply isn’t necessary, being kind and polite is always an option. We were made keenly aware that this is a “private” club and our presence there was not acceptable to either “the members” or to her. We would have happily ordered take-out and gone somewhere quiet to sit and eat outside, but that option was not offered to us, we only read that they offer take-out afterwards. We might have come back at a different time without the dog because it looked like such a sweet spot to eat. We might have recommended it to a friend in the future because the reviews of the food sound so positive. But all of that potential was lost by simple, unnecessary rudeness. Online it says that non-members are welcome, but that unfortunately was not the vibe we got whatsoever. Apparently there is an awesome Spinnakers in Victoria, British Columbia - with a dog-friendly patio!! I think we’ll head West next time and give that one a go ;) More

Worst dinner ever. The Turkey was mostly fat from the underneath. The ham was processed (toupie). Never again

Five of us went in for supper for my birthday this evening. Our 1st time there but will not be our last. Small menu but everyone was very pleased with their meals.

Casual atmosphere, excellent service ! Menu offers a very nice selection, great food, good value! Anxious to try the lamb shank….

Great service, food was just right Seafood Chowder and the fish and chips were To die for price was amazing all around this one gets an A+ for me definitely five out of five

Having been a member at AYC on and off since 1978, but presently living overseas, the view is one of the best in Halifax. Enjoyable lunch, service very pleasant!

I really can't say enough about Spinnakers at the Armdale Yacht Club. We had supper for my wife's birthday last night. Chef Andy Thomson outdid himself, once again. There were 20 of us. The meals were hot and made to order. The steaks were all... done, exactly as requested. The chowder is the best I have ever had; including my own. The salmon had a maple bacon glaze, which is beyond description. For special occasions, a weekend brunch, lunch or supper, Spinnakers will never disappoint. As an aside, you don't have to be a member to dine at Spinnakers. You can simply sign-in, sit down and enjoy. More

I am very familiar with the Armdale Yacht Club and have not dined there for a very long time since being away and living overseas. An enjoyable evening with friends, the salmon was excellent, service "soigneux". Atmosphere and view one of the best in Halifax!

ARMDALE YACHT CLUB, Halifax - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor

• Service: 4.5

Dining & Bar

Stop in at the Bar for a cool one with acquaintances and friends! While you’re here, enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner in our Dining Room.

To help us serve you better, reservations for the Dining Room are recommended. Reservations are required if you plan to have the Thursday or Friday Dinner specials. For Dining Room reservations,  please call (902) 477-4617 , Ext. 2

CATERER AT AYC

Horizons Catering is providing Food & Beverage services to the Armdale Yacht Club.

Horizons Catering is owned by Chef Andy Thomson.

For Dining Room Reservations at AYC, please call (902) 477-4617 , Ext. 2

For Catering or Special Events at AYC, please call (902) 477-4617 , Ext. 2 or e-mail [email protected]

Executive Chef Andy Thomson hails from the small town of Wolfville, Nova Scotia where he met Alex Clavel who inspired Andy to take a culinary journey that has spanned more than 2 decades and continues today.

The journey started in Halifax where he apprenticed at the then Chateau Halifax under Chef Bruno Sieberath. After completing his three year apprenticeship, Andy moved onto the Algonquin Hotel and Resort where he discovered what resort life was really going to be like (really long hours!).

Upon completion of his contract with the Algonquin, Andy traveled west to the beautiful Banff Springs Resort in Alberta. Here Andy was exposed to the art of mass quantity cooking and was a member of a 200-strong kitchen brigade which supplied 5 restaurants, 3 bars and a catering division that serviced approximately 1500 people per day.

After completing two years in Banff, the next leg of Andy’s journey was an exploration in restaurants. He headed back east and landed in Toronto, where he spent the next 14 years working with some of Canada’s top chefs: Susur Lee, Mark McEwen, Mark Tuet, and Anthony Walsh, to name a few.

While in Toronto Andy had the pleasure of preparing meals for high profile guests, especially during the Toronto International Film Festival, Prince Andrew being the most memorable.

With a strong urge to be back on the east coast, Andy headed home to Nova Scotia. This is where he teamed up with Scanway Catering and its chef proprietors Unni and Geir Simensen.

Working with Scanway, Andy was introduced to the world of catering. It brought huge challenges. “It’s one thing to cook for a large wedding, it’s a whole different perspective to do it in a tent in a large field in the middle of no where,” says Andy. But it was in these challenges that Andy realized he had found his niche, and Horizons Catering was born.

Chef Andy enjoys bringing a high level of service and quality of food to AYC and serving AYC Members and their Guests.