Taking over the space once occupied by Master Chef Cafe, What’s up Hot Dog and Bad Apple comes a neighbourhood bar focused on good vibes, great drinks and great memories.
Started by three good buddies and inspired by small bars from around the world, It’s Okay Bar brings the cozy community atmosphere to the Hastings-Sunrise area. With opening day set for the end of the year, co-owner Colin Canning tells us this spot will be much more than okay…
Tell me about the origins of this project and how it came to be?
Colin: It’s actually been a long time coming. It had been a concept that I had in my mind for several years, I would almost say seven to eight years and it’s just sort of been rattling in the back of my brain.
I’ve worked for a number of different companies over the years and have opened around 10 bars, but it was always for other people. I’ve always wanted to do my own project.
During Covid, my now partner Mike and I were sort of sitting around having some beers, I told him about the concept
He was like, ‘that’s crazy, I’ve been thinking about something really similar’.
So it just sort of took over its own life from there. Like ‘let’s do this!’, we’ve done it for other people and we brought on a third partner who has a ton of experience in the industry.
With the three of us, momentum got the better of us and here we are.
So let’s dive into the concept and what exactly is going to be unique about this place?
Colin: One of the interesting things is we all live in Vancouver, we’ve all been here a long time but none of us are from Vancouver.
We sort of bring something from where we’re all from, something that we miss in a bar or restaurant from Toronto, New York or other East Coast cities.
When you travel there, there are these small neighbourhood bars and you may not have even heard of them or know the name when you walk in, but you’re sitting there and you’re like, ‘this is incredible!’. They’re like a little sense of community and we wanted to do something similar.
Not a knock on what anyone’s doing here but everything is a bit corporate and we just wanted to feel that this just a small bar that is owned by independent people.
Can you tell me more about the people involved in this project?
Colin: So myself, I come from a background in bars and restaurants. I’m from Calgary and I opened a number of bars there and then I moved to Vancouver and I opened up two Colony Bar locations, which are now Good co. bars.
My business partner Michael Snaderson is Australian and his background is in film, floristry and a number of different things. But he’s an entrepreneur and enjoys bars.
Our third partner is Alex Dulong and his background is in Colony Bars as well. He left there to open up Hero’s Welcome on Main Street and has a long history as an operator in the industry.
We’re happy to announce that we now have a chef, Jeffery Tang and he has worked at a number of different places, most recently at Pizza Coming Soon.
I’m curious, how did you guys come up with the name?
Colin: It’s a funny story.
So Michael and I, during Covid, were drinking in a park because that’s what everyone was doing at the time. it’s not directly tied to Covid, but it was just kind of born under that circumstance.
It (the name) is intentionally ambiguous. It means different things to different people.
At the end of the day, a bar is a place where it should be… it’s okay.
Whatever’s going on in your life – here inside these four walls – for your two to three hours, this is a space where you and friends or you and your family can just sit down, enjoy and leave the outside world behind.
Is there something specific about the area that attracted you here?
Colin: 100 percent. It’s actually really funny. The location couldn’t have turned out more perfect for us.
We had looked at a number of different locations and based on the concept, we wanted something sort of small, long and narrow.
When we were looking around, the space was not on the market at all. But we had checked it out and were like that would be perfect.
But it wasn’t for sale.
Low and behold our agent called us up one day and he’s like ‘hey, this is coming on the market’.
The actual neighbourhood is perfect for us. It feels like a city up there, it’s diverse, it’s not clean and polished and we liked that. That’s part of who we are.
So it’s a great fit both from a community perspective and an actual space perspective.
Obviously you haven’t opened your doors yet but on that community level, what’s that been like so far? Have you been meeting people in the area?
Colin: Yeah it’s crazy. Just this weekend we were picking up some tables and chatting with someone and they’re like, ‘oh, I live in the neighbourhood!’.
We’ve been shocked by how many people we talk to saying we’ve been wanting something new for a very long time.
It feels to us that the neighbourhood is sort of clamoring for something new. That’s not to say what’s already there isn’t great because there’s a ton of great bars and restaurants, but I think there is some excitement about something new.
What kind of experience do you want your guests to leave with?
Colin: I just want them to leave having a good time.
For example, It’s Okay is not a sports bar but it’s a place to enjoy moments with your friends.
That may be sports for some people.
That may be music for someone else.
It might be food, it might be your birthday party. Whatever it is, we just want to create a space where people can come and enjoy themselves and leave work, leave stress, whatever it is just leave it behind and have a good time.
Canning says this project is a dream come true for him and the people who have brought this to fruition. He wants to keep the vibes great and bring a splash of happiness to the community. The efforts made with their design and marketing teams will bring vibrant and exciting characteristics to the already busy area.
Whether you’re feeling down, up or just okay… make sure you go see Colin and co. for a great time.
Address: 2481 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC
This piece was made possible thanks to Ryan Bailey