Canoe Brewpub to Close Next Month: Will undergo major renovation to reopen as CRAFT Beer Market

September 23, 2021
Share to printerest
Share to fb
Share to twitter
Share to mail
Share to print

Victoria, BC – After 19-years as a mainstay of Victoria’s food, beer and live music scene, Canoe Brewpub, located in the historic City Lights building on Victoria’s Inner Harbour, will pour its last pint. The last day of Canoe’s longstanding reign in Victoria will be Oct.18 as it closes its doors to undergo a major renovation and take on its new form under the CRAFT Beer Market Brand.

“We are excited to reinvigorate the space to be a landmark destination within the community,” says PJ L’Heureux, founder and President of CRAFT Beer Market. “There is a lot of history in the building, and we’re thankful for the support that the community has given Canoe over the years.”

Canoe  joined the CRAFT Beer Market family in March of this year, at which time plans to close and renovate the property were announced. The location remained in operation as Canoe over the spring and summer while extensive architectural and design changes were reviewed.

The renovation plans for the building include an open beer-hall style with the incorporation of a yard-games area, and a major expansion and upgrade to the harbor-front patio. Known for their moniker of “where everything is on tap,” the new CRAFT Beer Market will incorporate over 100 draft taps featuring many local and international beers, ciders, meads and more. The brewing facilities that currently exist in the building will remain intact and continue to produce local brews under the CRAFT Beer Market label. 

“We have long been serving Victoria-born beers at many of our locations,” says L’Heureux. “We are excited to be a part of the Victoria craft beer community as a producer.”

The closure and renovation of the location is expected to take four to six months, with a planned re-opening in late winter or early spring of 2022.

CRAFT Beer Market currently operates nine locations in Canada including a flagship location in the historic Salt Building in Vancouver’s Olympic Village as well as a location is Vancouver’s English Bay neighborhood on Beach Drive. Opening their first spot in 2011, the premium casual restaurant brand has remained forefront with a wide selection of craft beer on tap, paired with a non-pretentious menu of fresh, local, food.

“We could not be more excited,” says L’Heureux. “This location will be our first brewing facility and the first member of our family in Victoria.”

Local brewers, including Matt Phillips of Phillips Brewing are excited about welcoming CRAFT, says Phillips, "I’ve been enthusiastic about the approach that CRAFT Beer Market takes to showcasing the brewers’ art since they opened over 10 years ago. It’s been an honour to be a partner of theirs as they have opened more locations in both eastern and western Canada, and I look forward to welcoming them to the neighbourhood."

Although CRAFT Beer Market has grown to include locations across the country, they remain committed to the local communities that support their brand. They are actively involved in the communities they call home, including partnerships with several organizations, noting that they have volunteered tens of thousands of hours and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support local community initiatives and charities.


About CRAFT Beer Market

CRAFT Beer Market is a premium casual restaurant with a passion for fresh local food and amazing craft beer. Launched in 2011 in Calgary, Alberta, there are now nine locations Canada wide with four of those in BC; The CRAFT concept embodies sophisticated comfort food, unique craft beers, active community involvement, and a commitment to the environment and sustainability.

Photo from CRAFT Beer Market Vancouver Instagram page.

We will never share your email address with anyone else. See our privacy policy.