The theme is pretty lame but if it's successful, I guess it's a good thing. You won't catch me there though, don't think I'd be hearing any Hank Williams or Merle Haggard there.
Hold on to your cowboy hats. A country-and-western themed bar with a mechanical bull is coming to Main Street East.
The Rock 'N Ranch Saloon will occupy the former home of the London Tap House, a five-floor party palace on the corner of Main and John Streets. Billing itself as "Hamilton's hottest new country destination," the bar will be open to the public on Aug. 16.
The establishment is owned by Matthew Gibbons and his company MRG Group, spokesperson Liz Reid confirmed to the Spectator on Thursday. In its London Tap House days, it was owned by Gibbons' brother Joey and his Gibbons Hospitality Group.
The previous bar closed last July after being open for about five years. The 164-year-old building had housed a dance floor, a basement lounge and rooftop patio.
The Gibbons Group bought the building for $500,000 but spent just under $4 million in renovations. Other London Tap House bars were located in London and Toronto.
The Rock 'N Ranch is also part of a series. Its management calls it the "sister bar" to Toronto's Rock 'N Horse Saloon, located in a former Tap House location in that city.
The Toronto bar hosts concerts with big-name artists on Wednesdays — Tim McGraw was there in July — and theme nights the rest of the week including Hoedown Thursdays, Cowgirl Fridays, and Cowboy Up Saturdays.
The Toronto building also contains Adelaide Hall, a two-floor venue that hosts country and non-country concerts alike. It has rock and dance events booked for the near future, as well as the Pancakes and Booze Art Show on Oct. 3.
how does one get the opportunity to buy a building like that for only $500,000?
To me the problem isn't the paint color, since ugly beige stucco is just as bad, but they did such a quick and dirty paint job that it looks terrible up close.
I really liked how the London Tap House sign looked at night, those large back-lit black letters. I've never actually been inside though, almost did one time until they tried to charge a $10 cover when the place was absolutely deserted! No thanks.
Think there's any chance this new country place will keep the old sign? I guess it kind of clashes with their bright red paint a little...
To me the problem isn't the paint color, since ugly beige stucco is just as bad, but they did such a quick and dirty paint job that it looks terrible up close.
At least the lines are crisp and not sloppy in Toronto. Dunno why they cheaped out in Hamilton after they already spent so much money with the rest of the building. What's another couple hundred bucks to do it right?
It started years ago with Garth Brooks, Toby Keith etc etc and over time evolved.
With younger artists like: Jason Alden, Eric Church, Blake Sheldon, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift not to mention the huge influx of both Western talent from Alberta and Eastern from the Maritimes. It is also a gendre that is very community involved and fan appreciative.
This was a brilliant move, a nice alternative to gangsta rap or head bangin music.
I listen to a full spectrum of music and appreciate that someone in Hamilton has recognized an opportunity. How long it is the Baskin Robbins flavour of the Month?? Who knows. Better as a viable business venture than the empty London Tap House. Just need Wild Rose on Tap now.
It may not be your cup of tea and too young for me but this could bring in some C&W artists or provide a venue for up and coming locals.
All the best and hope they make a go of it!
I guess it's not as dangerous as it looks because the law office is still "open during renovations".
Vintage Hamilton has a photo of the building when it was the Lake & Bailey City Flour Mill. What's standing today is only about a third of its original width.
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