Outdoor patio return to downtown Sudbury amid the hot weather
It's a sure sign of summer, the tourists will soon return and with it, Sudbury's patios will be full.
Outdoor patio at La Fromagerie on Elgin Street in downtown Sudbury. June 2/23 (Ian Campbell/CTV Northern Ontario)
Whether it's rest, relaxation or fun in the sun, the servers at Sudbury's downtown bars and restaurants said they have you covered.
"It's huge (patio season). I feel like it's the biggest, the biggest thing of the year honestly and every time we get our patio out it's like the most exciting weekend and we're really excited for all the music and all the fun drinks," said Shannon Francisco-Fee, of La Fromagerie on Elgin Street.
With fun drinks sporting names like Burrata Bomb or a Triple Fish Bowl, it promises to at least help you beat the 30-degree C heat.
"We're going for basically like an oasis vibe and we try to outdo ourselves every year," said Francisco-Fee, who recommends her favourite their Peach Mojito.
The patrons were already flocking to their favourite spot by mid-Friday afternoon.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
"If you can just sit out, where it's nice and warm, watch people walk by, drive by and you know enjoy the warm weather and the great food, it's very enjoyable. It's a lot of fun," said Cynthia Jollineau outside La Fromagerie.
Restaurateurs and bar owners are hoping other people think so too as this is shaping up to be one of the first full seasons they've had in years without restrictions.
Several owners CTV News spoke to Friday said it's nice to see the new faces.
"I hear from my staff that it's somebody who hasn't been downtown in a long time or someone told them about this place and they never heard about it or I get a lot of people walking by who say 'I haven't been downtown in years' when they are coming down because there are special events and things for them to see," said Stephanie Piche of Wander Food and Wine.
Bar owner and Downtown Sudbury BIA managing director Kyle Marcus said it's shaping up to be a good year.
"We are actually leading the province in terms of how we set up our patios, allowing the in-lane of traffic, allowing in parking spaces and we're super grateful to the powers that be that allow us to do that," Marcus said.
This year, the BIA is pushing 17 patios and Marcus said there is one for everyone, morning, noon or night.
There will be other promotions, including a 'Happy Hour' as well, as they look to welcome people back into the downtown core.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.