Clubgoers in Victoria will soon have another option for a night out on the town, as the Strathcona Hotel announces its newest venue opening later this month.
Wicket Hall opens its doors to the public for a special celebration on Sept. 23 and 24, replacing the shuttered Distrikt nightclub.
Allie Harrington from the hotel says staff are “very excited” as they gear up for the big day. “We have been waiting for so long for it to be able to reopen,” Harrington told CHEK News.
Similar to other businesses in the hospitality sector, the COVID-19 pandemic was a challenge for the Strathcona. Yet staff managed to power through.
“Like everybody else, it was obviously quite difficult,” according to Harrington. “We were so used to having a packed house.”
And it’s the pandemic slowdown that prompted the owners to reinvent the space.
“In the midst of a global pandemic, with so few people being able to go out and enjoy themselves, the Strathcona Hotel decided that it was the perfect time to renovate their largest venue space,” staff said in a news release.
The basement venue, which can fit around 600 people, has been revamped several times throughout the years, operating as 9 ONE 9, Element, Legends, the New Forge and the Old Forge before its last stint as Distrikt.
The release states that Wicket Hall will be a “significantly improved venue” for showcasing Canadian and International recording artists and will feature a golf and sports simulator for guests.
“This venue is the perfect spot for private and public events alike,” according to staff.
Along with Wicket Hall, the Strathcona Hotel on Douglas Street has guest rooms, a traditional pub on its main floor, a rooftop patio, and a volleyball court.
CHEK News
