A Toronto-based Irish pub is expanding to the West Coast, with plans to open a new location in downtown Vancouver later this year.
Gibbons Irish Pub has put up signage at 906 Granville St. and has begun hiring for front- and back-of-house positions, according to Vancouver Is Awesome. The pub’s original location opened at 26 Duncan St. in Toronto just before St. Patrick’s Day earlier this year, making the Vancouver expansion a rapid follow-up for the young brand.
Gibbons describes itself in social media posts as offering “Irish soul. Canadian spirit. Cold beer,” with a menu at the Toronto location that includes items such as a spice bag, fish and chips, and ham and cheddar toasties. Promotional posts for the Vancouver location describe it as “a Canadian-Irish bar with a focus on authentic hospitality, live sports, excellent beers, and real pub customs.”
Part of a Larger Granville Street Presence
Gibbons is operated by MRG Group, a company that already has a footprint on Granville Street through other ventures including Dublin Calling, Par-Tee Putt, and the Vogue Theatre. MRG Group is also involved in producing and promoting events, concerts, and comedy shows across Canada, including the Khatsalano event. The Gibbons name comes from the group’s founder, Matthew Gibbons.
The new Vancouver pub will occupy a space between the existing Dublin Calling and Roxy Burger locations, filling a spot that had sat vacant since the fall of 2021, when the Movieland Arcade that previously operated there closed.
Hiring Underway Ahead of Opening
While MRG Group has not announced a specific opening date, social media posts from Gibbons point to a launch sometime in November. In the meantime, the company is actively recruiting staff for both customer-facing and kitchen roles to prepare for the new location’s debut on one of Vancouver’s busiest entertainment strips.
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