JULY/AUGUST 2011
www.celtic-ci
BRIAN HUNTER'S NEW PUB: THE HOOD
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER - After a reasonable settlement could not be reached with the landlord over the lease renewal at the popular Penny Lane Pub on Main Street, owner Brian Hunter reluctantly closed the doors after 17 years in business.
Brian often referred to 'The Lane' as it was affectionately known, as an enhanced livingroom for his customers.
That was two years ago and since then he has been looking for another location to reopen a similar establishment.
Finally on May 18, Brian Hunter opened the doors for business at his new location at Twelfth and Kingsway, on the main floor of the Howard Johnson Hotel. The newpub is called The Hood as in 'the neighbourhood', and a grand opening is planned later this fall.
Brian said that whenever you move from an area you expect to lose some of your customers but he is hoping to attract a new local clientele to The Hood.
Even so, many of his regulars have returned to the new establishment and that is not too surprising since Brian is well-known and liked in the community. After so many years in business he also has a large following.
There are actually two sections to the The Hood. One is a long room at the front of the bar with high pub-style tables and stools around the bar area, with tables and chairs in the centre part of the room.
There are lots of high definition televisions around to watch all your favourite sports. As with 'The Lane,' The Hood will be sponsoring sports teams and is open to facilitate fundraisers and special events, just as they have always done.
In the other part of the pub, there are snug booths along with tables and chairs. In this restaurant area children are also allowed.
Emma Pierce and Ben Hunter (Brian's son) are both managing partners and have taken a more hands-on approach to running the day-to-day operations at The Hood, freeing Brian up to take care of public relations and other duties.
The food is pub-style with burgers, fries, sandwiches, salads and daily specials. They offer 10 beers on tap, three local beers and of course, Guinness, Strongbow and Heineken and a fully stocked bar.
There is plenty of street parking around the block and on the side streets and when the new high rise goes up beside the pub, it is anticipated there will be even more parking.
The Hood will be showing football, soccer, hockey and all relevant sports and there will be music featured for special events.
Emma said, "I worked for five years at the old Penny Lane and, basically, at The Hood we are doing what we have always done. We invite all our former customers and new customers to drop in and visit us in our new digs."
The Hood is located at 395 Kingsway (Twelfth and Kingsway in the Howard Johnson Hotel) in Vancouver.
For more information, call (604) 872-7342, or visit: www.thehood604.com. Check out their Facebook page at: www. facebook. com/thehoodhoj o.
BEN HUNTER and Emma Pierce, managing partners at The Hood Restaurant and Pub with owner Brian Hunter.
A FUNDRAISER organized by the Burnaby Old Timers Soccer Club was recently held at The Hood, to benefit Alan Connolly from Scotland, he broke his arm in several places, while playing soccer with the club. Pictured (L-R): Paul Stack, Alan Connolly and Marty McCann.
KARIE Karpes (centre) the manager of the Dublin Crossing Irish Pub in Surrey with servers, Jodie and Celeste.
It's Patio season at Dublin Crossing
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
SURREY - Dublin Crossing Irish Pub in Surrey has a beautiful outdoor patio surrounded by a screen of verdant flowers and foliage - it's a wonderful place to relax, have lunch and enj oy your favourite beverage and let the world carry on.
The atmosphere at Dublin Crossing is very friendly and General Manager Karie Karpes says that hospitality is always their main focus.
Some of the upcoming events planned at the pub include Bobby Bruce with his Nearly Neil performance on July 22. Karie said, "That's always a very popular sell-out event here."
Towards the end of August, Dublin Crossing features a big patio party where they will barbeque a whole pig outside. "We will also have a band playing called Coconut Pete who plays at Club Meds all over the world, so it's going to be a great party," said Karie.
In September they feature a halfway to St. Patrick's party and in October they host a big Alexander Keith's Birthday Party with a Lobsterfest.
"It's really a whole weekend of east coast experience, with entertainment by
the Halifax Wharf Rats and it's always a huge success," she said.
The pub features entertainment Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Karie said, "We always have Pat Chessell who is so popular and always brings a big crowd. There's also the Whisky Dicks, The Craic, Acoustic Drive.
"We also have Dave Blair, who is a really neat fellow who plays here on Thursdays and moves back and forth between here and LA. He is really starting to evolve into quite something.
"We also have Murphys Lagh and The Halifax Wharf Rats. Not too long ago we had The Starbirds from Victoria. They are a traditional Irish band and we hope to have them back again in the fall.
"In the fall, we're planning some feature weekends such as an Eighties theme night and a disco theme night, so we have a lot planned."
Dublin Crossing Irish Pub is located at #101-18789 Fraser Highway in Surrey at the corner of 188thand Fraser Highway. For more information, call (604) 575-5470 or visit: www. dublincro ssing .com.
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