Downtown Tavern United Closes 2026

The sudden closure of Tavern United ahead of the weekend caught a few people by surprise. To others, it might be that the lease has expired and there have been a number of restaurant groups looking to come back to the area. First is Moxies who have wanted back downtown ever since True North used their space to expand other areas of their business. There has been talk over the last while that The Pint might be open to a return downtown with the expansion of the entertainment district?

One thing is certain. The space with its rooftop lounge will have something located in it before the start of the next season of hockey. With the The Keg well under construction and The Chop coming along with a luxury hotel in Sutton Place, the former Tavern site is too valuable to sit empty.

Some of the gaps in restaurants which some Jets fans have been complaining about in recent years are about to be filled up. Creating an entertainment district is never easy. It can happen organically or be manufactured. In Winnipeg, True North Square is manufactured in cooperation with the city and the province. Tavern was originally part of that beginning and, by and large, been a successful part of the entertainment in the area.

It hasn't been announced but some have suggested the Tavern could simply be relocating to a Ledohowski owned property on Donald Street. Some have said the Metropolitan or the Woolworth building that the family owns are possible locations. Either would be fine. It will be curious to see if there is any announcement on this.

Still, bottom line is that once a place has a commercial kitchen, water, sewer and proper electrical, it almost always comes back as a restaurant. This is true of the Garry Street Keg as well. When they open the new location and close the old one, it is undoubtedly going to be a new restaurant. The old Tavern site is too good good to see empty for long.