Now dubbed The Strathcona, Canadian restaurant franchise Leopold’s Tavern is the first tenant in the 130-year-old building as it opened its doors on Monday after a soft launch over the weekend.
The hotel, which is a designated historic resource that can’t be torn down, is the oldest wood-frame commercial building on Whyte Avenue and when it first opened, was a frequent stopping point for those just arriving in the city at the train station across the street.
A customer peeks in the front door of Leopold’s Tavern as the bar officially opens for business in the renovated Strathcona Hotel, in Edmonton Monday March 29, 2021.Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia Bartender Scott Dodds makes last minute preparations as Leopold’s Tavern officially opens for business in the renovated Strathcona Hotel, in Edmonton Monday March 29, 2021.Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia A framed photo of Wayne Gretzky on display in Leopold’s Tavern, in Edmonton Monday March 29, 2021. Leopold’s Tavern officially opened for business in the renovated Strathcona Hotel Monday.Photo by David Bloom /David Bloom/Postmedia Bar staff take record customers contact information as Leopold’s Tavern officially opens for business in the renovated Strathcona Hotel, in Edmonton Monday March 29, 2021.Photo by David Bloom David Bloom /Postmedia A sign above the front door to Leopold’s Tavern, in Edmonton Monday March 29, 2021. Leopold’s Tavern officially opened for business in the renovated Strathcona Hotel Monday.Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia An archive photo of the Strathcona Hotel on display in Leopold’s Tavern, in Edmonton Monday March 29, 2021. Leopold’s Tavern officially opened for business in the renovated Strathcona Hotel Monday.Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia
We’ve got big boots to fill for sure, and being in this building is definitely an honour for us and being in such a great city like Edmonton is an even bigger honour for us, so we just want to do the people proud, bring our service and have a good time,
General manager, Malcolm Rabb
A customer peeks in the front door of Leopold’s Tavern as the bar officially opens for business in the renovated Strathcona Hotel, in Edmonton Monday March 29, 2021.Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia Regional manager Dave Sauve poses for a photo as Leopold’s Tavern prepares to officially open for business in the renovated Strathcona Hotel, in Edmonton Monday March 29, 2021.Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia A room key based on the former Strathcona Hotel’s room keys, sits on the bar at Leopold’s Tavern, in Edmonton Monday March 29, 2021. Leopold’s Tavern officially opened for business in the renovated Strathcona Hotel Monday.Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia The Leopold’s Tavern jukebox surrounded by hockey cards, in Edmonton Monday March 29, 2021. Leopold’s Tavern officially opened for business in the renovated Strathcona Hotel Monday.Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia
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