Long weekend and great weather means folks are trying to stay outside as long as they can.
Barrie’s Dunlop Street is well known as a destination for those looking for a place to eat, drink and be merry so bars and restaurants need to accommodate the extra crowds. Enter the Patio Season.
With nearly 10 establishments using the extended patio service, the downtown atmosphere feels like that of a beach front stroll.
Donaleigh’s Irish Pub is one Dunlop location that looks forward to the hustle and bustle of a sunny day crowd. Operation’s Manager William Gair knows it’s always lots of work to add the patio each year, but wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Definitely a must for any restaurant down here,” said Gair. “As the patio season approaches we have to hire three additional staff just for outside. But if you don’t have the patio for warm days and especially for big events like Promenade Days, you’ll be left in the dust by other establishments. We’ve just always had it and really enjoy it.”
Each establishment must apply for a permit to the City of Barrie to add the wooden extensions that take up a few parking spaces and have a sidewalk to allow pedestrians to pass. For first time applications, it costs over $400 dollars to add the extra seating. Owners of the establishments are also required to store the equipment when tear downs take place.
“We are responsible for putting it up and storing it when we’re done so that can be costly if some places have to rent space,” said Gair. “Once you apply and get approved you get a date to start putting it up, I think ours was April 19 and then you have a date that you must have it down by. In that time, you better make it worth your while and get folks in. Our patio is open now but we’re having an official Summer Launch Party which is the weekend around the summer solstice on June 21. We have live music from time to time, anything to pack our patio and the inside as well.”
As many places use the front of their restaurants to welcome patrons, Hooligans is taking the high road approach. Hooligans sits at the corner of Dunlop and Owen Street where The Bank use to be. Hoolies Rooftop is the patio that overlooks beautiful Kempenfelt Bay and Memorial Square. Thursday was the first day for the patio to be open this year and the first time under the Hooligans banner and General Manager Mark Brown was happy with how it went.
“It was amazing,” said Brown. “We’ve had people calling every time the weather was nice and leading up to this long weekend we were flooded with calls as people heard that the weather was going to be nice. But we’ve been busy getting it ready and moving things around and making sure it was perfect so we can wow the patrons”
Brown understands the newness of the establishment hasn’t worn off yet and some need a reminder of what use to be there in order to know how to get there, but the GM wants Barrie to know that this is a whole new experience.
“Bring the kids, have a great family meal and outing,” said Brown. “We’re all about family, we’re all about community now and we are not the club scene venue. We are a restaurant for those looking to come on out and enjoy something to eat and we have a bar area for those wanting to watch the big game and have a drink. Truthfully, families should bring the kids out for big events like The Euro Cup, the Olympics, Jays and Raptors games. The kids would love to cheer and experience it all on our 20 foot high screen.”
Brown has some advice for Barrie on this Victoria Day long weekend.
“Get to a patio. We want you to come to Hooligans, but honestly, just get out and enjoy the weather in downtown Barrie.”
