Winnipeg Restaurants

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by ColdRain&Snow

Yeah the Beer Can is incredibly popular. I go there once or twice a month. If you go on a Friday or Saturday night, good luck getting a table. There can easily be over 200 people there when it gets busy.

In my travels across the country, I think it's safe to declare Winnipeg is the king of patios nationally. It's like a provincial pass time, getting sloshed outside with friends haha.

[neutroniks]

Originally Posted by FactaNV

On my nightly bike ride I went past the beer can. Always crazy how busy it is, it was packed at 9 pm on a Monday. They sure found a gold mine haha. It'd be slick if every neighbourhood could have a bumping beer garden as a local gathering place.

Mondays are usually super packed because Community Gym does an (Un)Run club where about just a little over 100 people go to run a 3K and 5K course, and then come back to socialize over beers, hence "Un"Run club

[WinCitySparky]

Just had brunch at Modern Electric Lunch for the first time, was really good, definitely recommend. Hipster style food/menu, maybe not for everyone but quality was high.

[bon_vivant]

Originally Posted by ColdRain&Snow

Yeah the Beer Can is incredibly popular. I go there once or twice a month. If you go on a Friday or Saturday night, good luck getting a table. There can easily be over 200 people there when it gets busy.

I heard an unfortunate rumour. The curling club may not be renewing The Beer Can's lease. Apparently the cc wants to copycat what they're doing because it's so successful. If true, the owners of the Beer Can will have to pack up and find a new location.

[borkborkbork]

Originally Posted by bon_vivant

I heard an unfortunate rumour. The curling club may not be renewing The Beer Can's lease. Apparently the cc wants to copycat what they're doing because it's so successful. If true, the owners of the Beer Can will have to pack up and find a new location.

the curling club has clearly never heard the expression, "kill not the goose that lays the golden eggs"

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by borkborkbork

the curling club has clearly never heard the expression, "kill not the goose that lays the golden eggs"

Man are they taking a risk on that if true.

[ColdRain&Snow]

I really hope the Beer Can stays. Going there regularly is one of the nicest parts of living in Osborne Village.

[bon_vivant]

Originally Posted by borkborkbork

the curling club has clearly never heard the expression, "kill not the goose that lays the golden eggs"

It would be a really dumb move. Why give up all that zero-effort revenue? I doubt the CC has the expertise to replicate their success, and the loyal clientele wouldn't support them knowing what they've done. If the rumour spreads, there may be less chance of it happening. Fingers crossed.

[trueviking]

That would be dumb.

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by bon_vivant

It would be a really dumb move. Why give up all that zero-effort revenue? I doubt the CC has the expertise to replicate their success, and the loyal clientele wouldn't support them knowing what they've done. If the rumour spreads, there may be less chance of it happening. Fingers crossed.

How much zero-effort revenue are they bringing in with the current lease?

[CoryB]

Re Beer Can.

While I do not have inside knowledge of that operation I have insight into similar pop up setups. For example the work to get an approved liquor license and occupancy permit is likely something the curling club has full access to. I would think the curling club is likely a full partner on paper and has most if not all of the business operations information. They may not have some of the relationships to make it work.

From the outside looking in as a customer the change that is happening behind the scenes may go mostly unnoticed. It is also going to be challenging for the current Beer Can team to replicate what they did somewhere else, even if they have the financial backing and are willing to put in all the paperwork on starting somewhere new. Finding the right location will be challenging.

[borkborkbork]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Re Beer Can.

While I do not have inside knowledge of that operation I have insight into similar pop up setups. For example the work to get an approved liquor license and occupancy permit is likely something the curling club has full access to. I would think the curling club is likely a full partner on paper and has most if not all of the business operations information. They may not have some of the relationships to make it work.

anyone who thinks the Granite would replicate the Beer Can's success should go and have a drink and a meal at their dining room (the "granite grill" or whatever), and ask themselves, "would this outdoors be the same as going to the Beer Can"?

If they do this, I think it'll kill both the Beer Can as an entity (since some of the Beer Can's success is location), and the Granite patio (since some of the Beer Can's success is the programming, staff/culture, menus, etc.).

The Beer Can will move elsewhere but struggle, and the Granite won't be able to capture/sustain the magic that made the Beer Can special... both will fade away

[WinCitySparky]

Unfortunately hubris is blind to logic. But of course this is all just speculation.

[cllew]

I heard over the weekend that early 2025 at least one of the Applebee's in Winnipeg is going to be converted into a Applebee's/IHOP combo.

Apparently Dine Brands has found increased profit with combining the back of house operations for both brands in one building.

[Brule-le]

Originally Posted by cllew

I heard over the weekend that early 2025 at least one of the Applebee's in Winnipeg is going to be converted into a Applebee's/IHOP combo.

Apparently Dine Brands has found increased profit with combining the back of house operations for both brands in one building.

Double the slop, in one convenient location.

[kjmz]

Originally Posted by cllew

I heard over the weekend that early 2025 at least one of the Applebee's in Winnipeg is going to be converted into a Applebee's/IHOP combo.

Apparently Dine Brands has found increased profit with combining the back of house operations for both brands in one building.

It seems as if the Regent location would be the most logical as the Grant location is fairly close to the standalone IHOP at the Seasons of Tuxedo.

[cllew]

Originally Posted by kjmz

It seems as if the Regent location would be the most logical as the Grant location is fairly close to the standalone IHOP at the Seasons of Tuxedo.

That's the one I heard about, you may be right about Grant Park not converting. I forgot that the one on Pembina closed a few years ago.

[Intrepid-Poster]

The Finn McCools on Regent is closing on September 21.

[OTA in Winnipeg]

^I just drove by that place. Not enough business?

[cllew]

Originally Posted by Intrepid-Poster

The Finn McCools on Regent is closing on September 21.

Again?

That will be the second time that it has closed up. After the first closure it was bought by Jay Kilgour who also owns the one in the Grant Park Shopping Center.

From Facebook

After operating Fionn MacCool's Crossroads for the last 5 years we have made the tough decision to close our doors.
The last day of operation for our restaurant will be Saturday September 21st, 2024 when we will be open to the public for lunch. We will be closing our doors that day to host a wedding reception for a lovely couple that trusted us with this special event.
We would like to thank all of our staff and management that helped get us through the last 5 crazy years, and of course thank our patrons for the support you've given us, it was an honour to be your local.
After September 21st, if you're craving some Fionn's, please join us at our Grant Park location at 1180 Grant Ave.