I visited Pip with my girlfriend, and what should have been a simple seating clarification turned into a very uncomfortable and embarrassing situation for both of us. When we arrived, we politely asked whether we could sit side-by-side at a small table. The host initially said it was fine, and even a neighbouring guest agreed it wouldn’t bother them. Shortly after, the manager came over and addressed the situation in a very abrupt and public way — speaking to me in front of other patrons instead of handling it privately or calmly. This made both my girlfriend and me feel singled out and embarrassed. I did become frustrated, and I have fully acknowledged and apologized for that. But the way the manager chose to escalate things, and the tone used, left me feeling bullied and ashamed. My girlfriend, who wasn’t involved at all, was uncomfortable just witnessing how the situation unfolded. After reaching out privately to explain our perspective, the owner responded by banning us from all of their establishments. The reply placed the entire blame on me without acknowledging any role the manager’s approach may have played in escalating the situation. Instead of feeling heard, we felt dismissed. This experience also made me question how staff might be treated behind the scenes. If a customer can be spoken to this way and effectively removed over a seating arrangement, I worry about what expectations or pressures staff may be under as well. Sadly, this isn’t a place we feel comfortable returning to. I hope management reflects on how situations like this are handled so other guests — and their own staff — aren’t put in similar circumstances.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Derek Waselenchuk
Very friendly bartender talked with the waiters had a excellent spicy tofu sandwich told them about my lactose intolerance and they made my meal. Vegan was absolutely delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
dimitra russell
My boyfriend and I love coming here! All the food is amazing! I got the bacon and Brie chicken sandwich
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
M
Usually my go to restaurant, would come every week until a terrible experience with one of the waitresses. She was miserable and rude for no reason ☹️ the rest of the staff and food are lovely tho! Miss it there
Cathleen Taylor
First time at The Next Act and I’m blown away! The burger was hands-down one of the best I’ve ever had, the staff were so friendly, and the whole place had such a cool, welcoming vibe. Definitely won’t be my last visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Harry S
Had a great brunch here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fusion Titanium
Haven't been there for a long time and tried it again during the Fringe. The place was packed and now I know why. The service was excellent. The food was delicious and prices reasonably well. The dinair sandwich is amazing but also all the burgers. The potato skins were delicious..
If you are on Whyte Ave and looking for a casual place to dine and have a beer or drink, try them out.
The palace is a bit noisy inside when packed but that's part of the atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Annie Soph
Always a 10/10 in our eyes!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yodaman Solo
Back when I used to live here in Edmonton this was one of my favourite spots to go. I was a regular with friends. And my go to menu item was always the Next Act burger. So revisiting the area I naturally had to return and try that delicious burger again. It didn’t disappoint after all these years. The service was great too! Good old Next Act! 👍😎
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
jesse piquette
The staff here have been super kind and caring to me every-time i’ve come in. They’ve also been really good about my gluten allergies too. But today they saved my hat behind the counter after I forgot it there (this hat is very sentimental to me, so this meant a lot to me). The staff really make the Next Act a special place.
Either change your liquor license or advertise yourself as a bar, not a “hamburger restaurant.” Food is good but service is unfortunate for a place competing with others on Whyte. Won’t make the mistake of trying to eat here again. Incredibly disappointed.
Edit 2025: This review was made two years ago. Since then, I’ve given the place a few more chances. I was pleased to see that their communication has improved tremendously. Every time I’ve had to wait for a table or called ahead to see how busy it was I’ve been informed I needed an ID past 4pm, it’s clearer on their website, and their advertising has changed to explicitly call themselves a casual pub with burgers rather than just a burger restaurant. Food has been good every time, 0 complaints about service. Clearly they’ve turned this issue around, and it’s only fair I update my review to reflect that. Great job guys!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ross Cipriano
Great food, great service and a fun place if you wanna enjoy people watching and sitting on a patio taking in the sunny weather!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kingstoon II Grimaldi Jr.
Pub food. Great burgers and fries. The waiter was great. Friendly and got the order right.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Raoul Bhatt
If you want burgers that leave a lasting impression, The Next Act is a must. The menu balances creativity with execution…every burger is juicy, flavorful, and built to perfection. The craft beer list is solid, and the staff know their stuff when it comes to pairing. The place has an easygoing energy that’s infectious, making it feel like a gathering spot for locals and newcomers alike. It’s casual, but you walk out feeling like you’ve had something special.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mary “Bubsbabe” K
Excellent food and vibe ! If you’re really feeling like a fancy donair come here for the Beef Brisket donair and a Next Act Black CDA 🤤
I visited Pip with my girlfriend, and what should have been a simple seating clarification turned into a very uncomfortable and embarrassing situation for both of us.
When we arrived, we politely asked whether we could sit side-by-side at a small table. The host initially said it was fine, and even a neighbouring guest agreed it wouldn’t bother them. Shortly after, the manager came over and addressed the situation in a very abrupt and public way — speaking to me in front of other patrons instead of handling it privately or calmly. This made both my girlfriend and me feel singled out and embarrassed.
I did become frustrated, and I have fully acknowledged and apologized for that. But the way the manager chose to escalate things, and the tone used, left me feeling bullied and ashamed. My girlfriend, who wasn’t involved at all, was uncomfortable just witnessing how the situation unfolded.
After reaching out privately to explain our perspective, the owner responded by banning us from all of their establishments. The reply placed the entire blame on me without acknowledging any role the manager’s approach may have played in escalating the situation. Instead of feeling heard, we felt dismissed.
This experience also made me question how staff might be treated behind the scenes. If a customer can be spoken to this way and effectively removed over a seating arrangement, I worry about what expectations or pressures staff may be under as well.
Sadly, this isn’t a place we feel comfortable returning to. I hope management reflects on how situations like this are handled so other guests — and their own staff — aren’t put in similar circumstances.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Very friendly bartender talked with the waiters had a excellent spicy tofu sandwich told them about my lactose intolerance and they made my meal. Vegan was absolutely delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My boyfriend and I love coming here! All the food is amazing! I got the bacon and Brie chicken sandwich
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Usually my go to restaurant, would come every week until a terrible experience with one of the waitresses. She was miserable and rude for no reason ☹️ the rest of the staff and food are lovely tho! Miss it there
First time at The Next Act and I’m blown away! The burger was hands-down one of the best I’ve ever had, the staff were so friendly, and the whole place had such a cool, welcoming vibe. Definitely won’t be my last visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had a great brunch here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Haven't been there for a long time and tried it again during the Fringe. The place was packed and now I know why. The service was excellent. The food was delicious and prices reasonably well. The dinair sandwich is amazing but also all the burgers. The potato skins were delicious..
If you are on Whyte Ave and looking for a casual place to dine and have a beer or drink, try them out.
The palace is a bit noisy inside when packed but that's part of the atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Always a 10/10 in our eyes!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Back when I used to live here in Edmonton this was one of my favourite spots to go. I was a regular with friends. And my go to menu item was always the Next Act burger. So revisiting the area I naturally had to return and try that delicious burger again. It didn’t disappoint after all these years. The service was great too! Good old Next Act! 👍😎
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The staff here have been super kind and caring to me every-time i’ve come in. They’ve also been really good about my gluten allergies too. But today they saved my hat behind the counter after I forgot it there (this hat is very sentimental to me, so this meant a lot to me). The staff really make the Next Act a special place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Either change your liquor license or advertise yourself as a bar, not a “hamburger restaurant.” Food is good but service is unfortunate for a place competing with others on Whyte. Won’t make the mistake of trying to eat here again. Incredibly disappointed.
Edit 2025: This review was made two years ago. Since then, I’ve given the place a few more chances. I was pleased to see that their communication has improved tremendously. Every time I’ve had to wait for a table or called ahead to see how busy it was I’ve been informed I needed an ID past 4pm, it’s clearer on their website, and their advertising has changed to explicitly call themselves a casual pub with burgers rather than just a burger restaurant. Food has been good every time, 0 complaints about service. Clearly they’ve turned this issue around, and it’s only fair I update my review to reflect that. Great job guys!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, great service and a fun place if you wanna enjoy people watching and sitting on a patio taking in the sunny weather!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pub food. Great burgers and fries. The waiter was great. Friendly and got the order right.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you want burgers that leave a lasting impression, The Next Act is a must. The menu balances creativity with execution…every burger is juicy, flavorful, and built to perfection. The craft beer list is solid, and the staff know their stuff when it comes to pairing. The place has an easygoing energy that’s infectious, making it feel like a gathering spot for locals and newcomers alike. It’s casual, but you walk out feeling like you’ve had something special.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent food and vibe ! If you’re really feeling like a fancy donair come here for the Beef Brisket donair and a Next Act Black CDA 🤤
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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