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“They are glad that they are still having events during this time of discharge, knowing that they are smaller than they traditionally would be. This is just the reality of where we are right now ‘
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Andrew Gordon, General Manager of the CRAFT Beer Market on 10 Ave SW, on Thursday, December 30th, 2021. Photo by Jim Wells / Postmedia
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New Year’s Eve celebrations in Calgary will look a little different this year, but some local pubs and restaurants are simply excited to host them.
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Downtown Calgary’s CRAFT Beer Market had extensive plans – including live music, dancing, and other ceremonial activities – but health regulations that went into effect on Christmas Eve forced them to back off.
Even so, just being open and having the ability to celebrate in some form is a huge benefit.
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“This time last year we all sat down on our couches and spent New Years Eve from afar,” said Tyler Rygus, vice president of marketing at CRAFT Beer Market. “We’re still happy to be able to do something personally, but of course we have to adjust some of the schedules with the program as well as some of the programs in the restaurant due to the new restrictions in Alberta.” Will look like. “
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Health regulations prohibit dancing and other activities that encourage mixing among guests. The province has also limited table size to 10 while prohibiting people from walking around with a drink or food in hand and talking to guests at other tables.
In the meantime, the last call is required at 11 p.m. and the premises should be closed until 12:30 p.m.
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This is problematic on New Year’s Eve when everything is set up by midnight, usually with dancing, hugs and champagne toasts.
Rygus said they will likely usher in the new year on the east coast, although no specific timing has been set between the various franchises.
Not every company was so happy with the opportunity to be open on New Year’s Eve.
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Prairie Dog Brewing abandoned most of its plans that employees had been working on for months when the new health ordinances came out last week. They canceled their live entertainment, buffet, photo booths, and other activities. They will still be open but plan to have a regular dinner service.
According to Lisa Korolyk, their event manager, around 50 tickets were sold for the celebrations, with the expectation that they would rise to 150 with a traditional post-Christmas boost.
The change of plans was a bitter pill for Jay Potter, chef and co-owner of Prairie Dog Brewing. For him and others in the industry, it’s only the last of 22 months of frustration. It is not ready to raise its hopes because it is still open Friday night.
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“We’re all still very concerned about what’s going to happen,” he said. “It’s now been two years since I thought there might be a positive side and this could all be over, and wave after wave after closure after closure, it is really starting to wear you down.”
Jay Potter, co-owner of Prairie Dog Brewing, poses in the restaurant and brewery. For health reasons, they had to cancel their New Year’s Eve party. Thursday, December 30th, 2021. Photo by Brendan Miller / Postmedia
December is a critical month for the restaurant and bar industry, which typically benefits from celebratory shoppers and private event bookings for parties. The season is traditionally crowned with a final boost on December 31st, a night Potter says generally ranks $ 15,000-20,000 for the brewery. It’s a necessary cushion for the industry as January and February are usually the slowest months of the year.
“We haven’t really been able to achieve this financial stability this month,” he said. “Not having this little pillow from December onwards will certainly put a lot more strain on many restaurants, not just us.”
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The hotel industry has also changed this year. Most hotels don’t host public ticketed events to usher in 2022, but many still have private bookings for their ballrooms by invitation only.
Sol Zia, executive director of the Calgary Hotel Association, said its members had stepped up precautions for these events and focused on communicating around the new health regulations. Many have also expanded their tests for events.
The continuation of private events is huge for the industry as other events like the Mac’s Midget AAA Hockey Tournament and the Calgary Flames Games are canceled over the holidays.
“They are glad they are still having events during this time of discharge as they know they are smaller than they traditionally would be,” said Zia. “That’s just the reality of where we are right now.”
jaldrich@postmedia.com
Twitter: @ JoshAldrich03
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