Just in time for the holidays, the new Skeena Bar opened on Dec. 13 to patrons looking for a pint or to warm up from the cold weather.
Built on the former location of the old Skeena hotel that burnt down in 2008, this reimagined version aims to be the new neighbourhood hangout spot, says bar manager Renee Aird.
“We wanted to relive that and bring that culture back to Terrace,” she says. “It’s just that social house where everyone comes in, sits down at the bar and has a good time.”
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Painted a bright yellow and blue with red accents around the doors, the building is hard to miss on the Greig Avenue strip.
The inside is more of a flashback to a cozy industrial pub with a lacquered cedar bar, copper light fixtures and soft backlighting from LED lights placed inside apple crates mounted on the wall.
The pub employs 10 people and can hold around 70 patrons with tables set up along the sides, seating at the bar, and a couch in front of a woodburning fireplace in the centre of the room. The bar is TV-free for a reason, Aird says, to prioritize conviviality and conversation over screened entertainment.
Two corners can be set up as a place to host visiting and local musicians, and Aird says there are plans to host open mic nights and other events throughout the year.
“So many artists want to come to Terrace and showcase what they do, they just needed more venues,” she says.
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Beer-lovers can expect local brews from Sherwood Brewery and the Wheelhouse in Prince Rupert, with a variety of scotch and whiskey options on the list. Lighter snacks including chili, pretzels and charcuterie boards are also served from the kitchen in the back, with plans to expand the menu in January.
The Skeena Bar will be open Tuesday through Sunday, with regular hours from 11 a.m. to midnight.
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