BURST
For the past 48 years, the Bayside Lounge has been a destination for drinks and bites in the West End.
But the lively location’s story is coming to a close.
After nearly 50 years in business, the second-floor outpost located at 1755 Davie St. in the Best Western Plus Sands will shutter at the end of October. In a post shared to Instagram, the team confirmed the plans to shutter the lounge permanently.
“It honestly doesn’t feel real,” the post reads.
Noting the closure news will be “deeply felt” by its many regulars, the team said they will be “sharing memories” and celebrating the establishment’s lengthy history as it winds down its operations.
“Whether you’ve been coming for decades or only recently found us, we’d love to see you before our final night. Come raise a glass, share a story and help us celebrate 47 unforgettable years.”
The social media announcement garnered more than 940 comments from users, most of whom expressed shock at the closure news. Some commenters are even calling for a petition to see if they can save the historic hot spot.
While an official cause of the closure has not yet been announced, online posts point to a lease renewal situation that may have seen another restaurant outbid Bayside Lounge for its coveted English Bay view.
Often referred to as a ‘hidden gem’ in Vancouver, the original decor famously featured telephones on every table, along with other groovy ’70s style embellishments. Over the years, the phones were removed, but many of the design nods to the decade remained.
The pending closure of the Bayside Lounge comes amid a year that has seen several local restaurants close. Fable Diner announced the closure of two restaurants , on Broadway and in Kitsilano, this summer and fall. And the beloved coffee bar and lunch spot Their There in Kitsilano pulled the plug in September.
Amid a challenging economy, m any restaurants in B.C. are barely breaking even with rising costs including food prices, decreased customer traffic, lease rates and labour shortages among the primary pain points for struggling businesses.