Eat, Drink & Boost Our Economy

At the start of 2020, Jovan Badhan at Sir Winston’s Pub knew an increased minimum wage was coming and food costs were rising. The pub owner was planning for this one-two punch to the business, but like nearly everyone – except possibly a few of the world’s top epidemiologists – he hadn’t anticipated a pandemic.

With the food service’s notoriously paper-thin profit margins, Covid-19 has been a massive blow to our local restaurants and pubs. After a two-month closure, those that are back open face restrictive new protocols and far fewer tourists.

Badhan draws the parallel of wet weather decimating a cherry crop. There’s no way to recover the two closure months or this year’s tourist season, so the pub affectionately known as “Sir Winnies” is looking ahead for the silver lining.

What’s clear is that people missed their favourite restaurants and pubs during the closure and want to see them make it through this tough time. And this summer, with a limited number of tourists, it’s the locals who are the heroes. It may feel like watching sports at the bar or enjoying a meal out isn’t really enough to help your favourite restaurant survive, but Badhan is emphatic that that’s precisely what is going to make the difference.

And at Sir Winston’s, they’re making it worth your while. Regular weekly events like Wednesday Wine Night have returned, and have been enthusiastically welcomed by diners and wine lovers. The evening’s popular half price offer on bottles of wine isn’t limited to just the less expensive imports, but also features local Okanagan wines. Saving 50% on a bottle from Kitsch Winery or 50^th Parallel – what’s not to love?!

The focus on local is intentional. Along with supporting Okanagan wineries, Sir Winston’s also sources chicken from Armstrong and vegetables from various other farms in BC. So when you order the Grilled Chicken & Brie Sandwich or the Apple Orchard Salad, you’re doing more than enjoying a tasty meal. In fact, the positive impact goes beyond supporting the pub’s kitchen and serving staff.

By sourcing wine and ingredients from local providers, Sir Winnie’s makes it easy for diners to have an impact with a ripple effect. Diving into the Blackened Chicken Tacos or Red Thai Curry Bowl with a glass of local wine also supports farmers, orchardists and winery staff throughout the Okanagan. The money spent at your individual table circulates through our local economy multiple times, going on to support other businesses, organizations, and employees. Talk about a feel-good meal!

Along with Wine Night, another draw on Wednesdays is Sir Winnie’s famous specialty poutines. Some of the flavourful variations on the Québécois classic include Firehouse, Swiss Mushroom, Butter Chicken, and Philly Cheesesteak – all menu staples every day of the week, but specially priced on Wednesday evenings.

As good as the food is, the craft cocktails created behind the bar are also generating plenty of buzz. Introduced last winter, the cool “big city” cocktails combined with the easygoing vibe at Sir Winston’s was the perfect pairing of both worlds. The hottest selection so far is the Pink Whitney frozen lemonade – a refreshing, clean-tasting cocktail that’s perfect for summer. It’s worth noting that the entire craft cocktail menu is $1.50 off on Friday nights.

It’s also worth noting that Sir Winston’s Pub has one of the only rooftop patios in Vernon, and certainly the largest. Set up to respect current protocols, it fits the bill whether you’re looking for a place to dine out in the fresh air or just want to soak up as much of the Okanagan summer as possible.

Inside, the TVs carry whatever action is on, with the volume low or off to make it easy to visit. The bar’s rotating taps always feature local BC craft beers, along with domestic favourites.

Watch for upcoming events like a rooftop wine tasting and live music nights. In the meantime, to see what’s on tonight, click through to the Weekly Specials.