'A really big loss': Sadness greets the closure of The Local Bar in Whitehorse
Running a bar can be a thankless task, but a lot of people in Whitehorse say they are grateful for what Darla Hansen has done with The Local Bar.
The news Hansen has decided not to renew her lease and step away from The Local has been greeted with a mixture of sadness and dismay. The bar will officially close on April 21.
After she took over the lease for the bar about six years ago, she transformed it into a popular venue for live music, providing a home for local and touring musicians and open mic nights for beginners.
"I've played there so many times over the years in many different bands," said Selina Heyligers-Hare. "It's a really special place. They support live music, they support artists, they pay well, they take care of you and it's a really big loss."
The Local Bar is part of the 202 Hotel in Whitehorse, a building that also houses a restaurant, daycare and off-sales.
"We don't really know exactly what's going to happen, but I know Darla is finished at that location and has given us all notice," said Peggy Hanifan, who hosts the Whitewater Wednesday open mic night.
"We're not sure exactly what's happening there but she won't be there any longer."
Running a bar solo 'a lot of work'
There have been many rumours over the years that the hotel was going to be closed for refurbishment, or even demolition. And while the building's owners haven't confirmed what the building's future will be, Hansen has decided it's time to move on.
"It's a really large venue," said Hansen. "It's a great deal of work, I'm the sole proprietor, I do it all myself, other than the staff I have. But I do all the bookings myself, and trying to make all those things come together, especially in a big venue like that, it takes a lot of work."
Peggy Hanifan has hosted Whitewater Wednesday for 28 years, including two years at The Local Bar. (Submitted by Barry 'Jack' Jenkins)
The Local Bar boasts a large stage, and at a capacity of 300 people, it's by far the largest live music venue in Whitehorse.
Over the years, the venue has hosted a number of touring musicians and given local performers the chance to hone their craft in front of a big audience.
"It means a lot to us," said Adrian Burrill of the band Major Funk. "We've had a lot of great nights there, a lot of parties."
Some of those best nights were Halloween shows, said Heyligers-Hare.
"One year, we all went as different versions of Han Solo. We've also been Sesame Street characters."
"We were a funk band dressed as a death metal band during COVID," said Major Funk's Etienne Girard.
Adrian Burrill, of Major Funk, performs at The Local Bar. (Jon Walters)
Financial hardship
While the size of The Local Bar made it attractive as a live music venue, it also made the place difficult to run. Hansen said it took a lot of security to patrol a venue that large, and the COVID-inspired shutdowns made things difficult.
Hansen also said people aren't going out as much as they used to, or drinking as much, which has hurt the bar's bottom line.
Hanifan has hosted the Whitewater Wednesday open mic night for 28 years. The sessions moved around to a number of venues, and settled at The Local Bar two years ago.
There are still places to see live music in Whitehorse. Lefty's Well and the 98 Hotel host acts most nights of the week, but Hanifan said the loss of The Local Bar will be another blow to a vibrant music scene.
"Forty years ago, when I moved up to the Yukon, there was music on every corner, and I'm not even kidding," she Hanifan said.
"Times are changing and venues are changing. I think we will have more venues open up and become places for live music.
"That might be wishful thinking, but I think we will — we just have to be patient and get through this lull, because that's one of the main reasons I moved here, was the music scene."
