Chillin' out on the patio in January: Customers still looking for night out during restrictions
On a chilly January night, the patio at Barney’s is lit up like a Christmas village, a continuation of a Christmas bar they had set up in December.
“We already had this set up with electric heaters, actual propane heaters from our Christmas bar, so we were just able to roll into outdoor seating and an outdoor patio,” says Aarren Butler, a manager at the popular Richmond Row establishment.
Customers have been coming in on a nightly basis
“You know, there’s not much else to do nowadays,” says Gordanna Kovacic. ”So we figured this would be a good place to go, it’s heated and we’re having a good time.”
Noah Montag adds, “It’s good to be able to go out somewhere and have another option, because obviously with indoor dining closed that limits your ability to socialize with people.”
In Wortley Village, a group celebrated a birthday on the patio at the Sweet Onion Bistro, which has created a comfortable space with heaters and fire bowls.
The move has allowed the bistro to open every night, even when the temperature has dipped to negative double digits
“It doesn't change, people are very interested in coming out. I think they're tired and they really want to come out and eat,” says Owner Cleopatara Camara, who’s manoeuvring during the on-again, off-again restrictions has paid off. The business is now expanding to a second location in Byron.
“We’re scheduled to open Feb. 1 If the government allows for that. If not, then we will be doing the same thing that we're doing here,” says Camara
And even with the government’s announcement of a return to 50 per cent capacity for indoor dining, Barney’s will still be offering the outdoor seating
“We will keep this open most likely,” says Butler. “It’ll be great for us, we’ll be ready for it on the 31st.”
In the event future restrictions are put in place, the last few weeks have shown customers are willing to go to great lengths to frequent these establishments, and any potential pivot to outdoor dining will allow for them to continue to operate.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.