Blues on Whyte May Be getting Bigger!
The Commercial Hotel's Blues on Whyte pub in Edmonton could be able to host live music on its 3,410 square foot patio this summer if Edmonton’s city council will change the zoning rules for that area. The patio was built over a parking lot without permits in 2021 during covid to help Blues on Whyte Stay open while abiding by the rules set out by the province. With the current patio size being almost 1000 square feet too big for the current zoning, the city recommends creating a sub-area to allow the business to open its large patio legally this summer.
Rose Ross, Co-owner of the Commercial Hotel and Blues on Whyte, said the business built the patio to provide an option during the COVID-19 pandemic. The patio was needed to help the business survive. Chris Delabar, who co-owns the nearby Strathcona Hotel supports having the patio at the iconic music venue instead of a parking lot. City councillor Tim Cartmell also supports opening the space saying its not just about adding another patio or drinking establishment to the city. "Let's have more nightlife, more nighttime economy, more places of assembly, more cool places where people gather," Cartmell said.
A few of the local businesses are not sold on the change however, citing concerns about noise and more night-time activity. Mark Wilson, owner of Vivid Print on Whyte Avenue, said “some” noise in the area is expected, but the music from the Blues on Whyte patio has been excessive “It’s a little frustrating. We haven’t really seen an issue like this before where it's basically a rock concert every time that they open up their patio.” The city put restrictions on the area in 2003, called “the Whyte Avenue Commercial Overlay”, which limit bars and pubs amount of public space and limits them to fewer than two hundred patrons. Wilson said if the city decides to rezone the area for the Commercial Hotel, it could potentially set precedent for other drinking establishments and potentially impact or destroy the daytime economy in the area.
With Edmonton’s Blues Festival just around the corner, this may be an amazing opportunity to keep the music rolling all summer. You can read more about The Blues On Whyte patio >HERE.
