Let Pier 7 open until 1am, city staff says

You may be able to enjoy an extra drinking hour at the Pier 7 restaurant in the Shipyards on the weekend if the CNV councillors follows a staff suggestion at the council meeting.

CNV staff supports the drinking hour extension from 12 am to 1 am on Friday and Saturday nights. It will have minimal impact on the community as the restaurant is far from residential area, CNV staff says.

“Given the public feedback, the location of the restaurant in The Shipyards and the fact there are no adjacent residential uses, staff do not believe the proposed extended hours for Friday and Saturday nights will negatively impact the neighbourhood,” according to a staff report.

If the change is made, the last call for drinks would be at 1 am and patrons would be required to finish their drinks by 1:30 am.

Although staff support the extended hours and don’t anticipate any negative impacts, staff says the extra drinking hour come with conditions: Pier 7 will have to post a sign asking patrons to respect neighbours when they leave the restaurant, close the patio at 12 am, and turn off the music on patio at 11 am.

In extending the hours, the CNV is also trying to level the playing field. The additional hour will allow Pier 7 to match the hours of the nearby Tap & Barrel, which is open until 1 am on the weekend and the holidays.

Staff says the extra hour will offer patrons another option for late night dining, but also add to the profile of Shipyard and Waterfront district as the CNVs entertainment and cultural district. Pier 7 also has good access to parking and transit the restaurant’s seating is oriented towards the south, away from the residential area. The closest residential uses are in the Pinnacle at the Pier Hotel on the north side of The Shipyards.

CNV received three responses in favour of the proposed changes and one against it. CNV hasn’t received any complaints from the neighbourhood so far about this restaurant.