The iconic Doc Willoughby鈥檚 pub is moving on up in capacity, space and name.

The pub has been in operation in downtown 琉璃神社 for almost 20 years, since opening in February 2002. Last year, the Nixon family took over the staple pub with a revamped decor and menu.

However, according to an application to the City of 琉璃神社, the Nixon鈥檚 struggled with the rebrand due to the pandemic and operational restrictions brought about by the Provincial Health Officer.

This led the Nixon鈥檚 to put a development proposal before the city that advocates for a new upstairs area, that will be multi-functional and provide live entertainment and film viewings. The current capacity is for 150 occupants plus a patio of 28, for a total of 178. The proposed increase capacity will be 305 inside plus a patio of 28 for a total of 333.

This would transition Doc鈥檚 from a medium establishment to a large establishment, of a capacity of more than 249. Hours of the liquor service for the establishment would stay the same, seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., however, the Nixon鈥檚 do not intend to open at 9 a.m. but instead at 11:30 a.m.

With this proposal, the Nixon鈥檚 are also considering changing the name of Doc鈥檚, although that is still to be determined.

The Nixon鈥檚 also own and operate BNA, Public Liquor and Skinny Dukes.

鈥淭heir creativity has been embraced at BNA, and it is anticipated that will also be embraced at Doc鈥檚. The community and visitors to it are looking for fresh new concepts in terms of entertainment, rather than an establishment that purely focuses on alcohol sales,鈥� states an application before the city.

Renovations are currently underway at Doc鈥檚 located at 353 Bernard Avenue.

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jen.zielinski@bpdigital.ca
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