After months of renovations and delays, Victoria Park's Boathouse is finally open. The venue held its grand opening Friday night.
Bar Manager Natalie Herzing says the space is 100% different. She says looking around and seeing people enjoying the months of hard work, it took to get the place re-opened, fills her with pride.
“It was like the best feeling to see a full restaurant full of people and everyone's just having the best time” says Herzing.
It was over a year ago when the restaurant was shut down. It now has a new owner and has re-opened with a brand new look. Almost every square inch of the boathouse has been ripped up and re-decorated.
“We've moved the kitchen which has allowed us to really open up the floor around the stage and increase the size of the stage and obviously the size of the bar. So our capacity has doubled I would say” says Herzing.
Customer Kyle Aziz says he was really excited for it to open back up. “I was anticipating it [opening up] and then it got delayed a few times and now it’s finally open again. We came the first day you could get brunch and yeah it's great in here.”
The bar's manger is hoping its central location in Victoria Park and reputation as a spot for live music will bring the old clientele back.
Some like Justine Sparling are looking forward to seeing bands on stage and the venue's new sound system.
“I love live music so if I’m going anywhere on a weekend then it's definitely to enjoy live music somewhere and being walking distance to here I think I’ll definitely come often.”
The bar will feature eight Ontario craft beers on tap, and homemade foods from the new kitchen. However the establishment is still waiting for its new liquor license to be approved.
