Speakeasy offers unique nightlife experience in Sudbury
A speakeasy is gaining popularity in Sudbury.
It's called the Night Owl and it’s owned by the same people behind the coffee shop Books and Beans.
Historically, a speakeasy was an illicit bar and they became popular during prohibition in the U.S. throughout the 1920s. Customers were required to whisper or ‘speak easy’ to gain entry.
Co-owner Liana Bacon said the idea was born pre-pandemic, out of a love of speakeasies and the chance to offer Sudbury a unique experience.
"It's something different in the city, it’s something a lot of people haven’t seen," Bacon said, of the Elgin Street business.
"So we love it and we want to bring people in with that hook and keep people coming back with the service and the quality."
Since opening in February, Bacon said business has been steady. She said it was TikTok video that made their establishment go viral.
The TikTok showcases the unique way patrons get into the space, picking up a telephone in a telephone booth. A bartender will let the customer in through a locked side door, leading them down a hallway to a bookcase.
"It's still an absolute delight to open this secret doorway because the response is always great to see," Bacon said, opening the bookcase to the speakeasy hidden behind a curtain.
"People really love the concept," she said. "We've had tons of positive feedback on the space."
While tipping bar staff is a cultural norm in Canada, the Night Owl said tipping is not expected, but appreciated.
"What we've done is brought up our prices a little bit to provide that living wage to our staff," Bacon said.
"We think it’s an important way to support the community by having our staff make a reasonable and living wage."
Lauren Pileggi, Night Owl head bartender, said the concept provides peace of mind.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent right to your inbox
"It kind of makes things a little bit more stable for all of us, so we don’t have to worry about whether or not we'll make the tips we need to survive," she said.
"It's dependable and we don’t have to stress about where our money is coming from, whether it'll be busy or anything like that."
True to speakeasy style, Night Owl hosts jazz musicians every Thursday, and said it's looking forward to welcoming more musicians in the next few months.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.