Long weekend at Bernie’s
Rob Gibson – July 2, 2022 / 04:00 | History: 373545
Photo: Rob Gibson
One of Kelowna’s oldest pubs has reopened after being closed for renovations for nearly five months.
Bernie’s Supper Club and Cinema, formerly Doc Willoughby’s, reopened for Canada Day.
The new restaurant / bar has been completely redesigned and updated and now includes space for twice as many guests as the old design.
The old Doc Willoughby’s was bought by Kyle and Carolyn Nixon, who also own BNA and Skinny Duke’s. Jill Jarrett, a spokeswoman for Nixon Hospitality, tells Castanet that they have been working hard to prepare the site to open.
“We’ve done a couple of soft openings just by invitation to try things out with friends and family, and we hope to open to the public on Thursday,” Jarrett said earlier in the week.
The newly renovated space was packed with customers during Canada Day.
At the moment there is no grand opening planned until the opening of the cinema, which is still a few weeks away. Supply chain delays have delayed the film project by several weeks.
Jarrett says it has taken a lot of work to get to this point, but they are excited to share their new project with the public, “there are a lot of Spanish-Spanish influences and a pretty eclectic menu.”
The ambiance of the new location is described as “a kind of Southern California style. It will be this truly open and welcoming space.”
Photo: Cindy White
The new Bernie’s at the old Doc’s site on Bernard Ave. was opened to the public on Canada Day.