Ethel's Lounge is a bar in uptown Waterloo,[1] the central business district of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It is located at 114 King St N.
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History
editRestaurateur Glenn Smith had previously run the blues club Pop the Gator (1989–1994) and the bar Circus Room (1992–1994).[1][2] Smith opened Ethel's Lounge in 1994.[1] Smith picked the location for its desirable location in the city, as well as its parking.[1] Smith wanted the food to feel home-cooked, as opposed to typical bar food.[1] Every year, the bar runs the "Tray Race", a relay race for charity where contestants balance trays of water bottles.[3] On St. Patrick's Day 2019, a concert poster was stolen from the bar.[4] The bar has been described as a "local favourite".[5]
Decoration
editThe bar's decor has stayed relatively the same since its opening in 1994.[1] Smith was inspired by American dive bars from the 1950s to 70s, and named the bar after a 70s blues bar of the same name in Detroit.[5] Adam Jackson of the Waterloo Chronicle described it as "a time machine of sorts".[1] The bar is decorated with concert posters, pop culture and pieces of local history, such as John Belushi’s shoes and socks.[1][4] The bar's neon sign, taken from the Detroit Ethel's Lounge,[5] has been described as "iconic".[6][7]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h Jackson, Adam (March 22, 2019). "Institutional Eats: Waterloo's Ethel's Lounge is the same as it's always been, and that's OK". Waterloo Chronicle. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ Pender, Terry (September 23, 2013). "Ethel's Lounge owner interested in The Boathouse". The Record. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ Liu, Sijia (August 21, 2023). "Restaurant Olympics: Ethel's Lounge Tray Race returns to raise money for charity". CTV News Kitchener. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ a b Jackson, Adam (March 20, 2019). "Waterloo's Ethel's Lounge has iconic poster stolen on St. Patrick's Day". Waterloo Chronicle.
- ^ a b c Fauteux, Justin (October 18, 2012). "Urban legend". The Community Edition. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ Ward, Marshall (October 2, 2020). "Memories with Made by Maggie: Waterloo Region gets captured through whimsical illustrations". Waterloo Chronicle. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ "Ethel's Lounge in Waterloo celebrates 20 years". CBC News. June 26, 2014.