Image: Mark Leger/Huddle.
The BunkHaus Hostel has renamed its café and tap room The Uptowner Café + Bar.
Ingrid Woodhouse launched the hostel on Water Street in the summer of 2018 and then opened the café to the general public later that year with the intention of creating a meeting place for travellers and locals. Though it has become a popular spot for Saint Johners, many still believe it’s still just a landing spot for visitors.
“We decided to do the rebrand because a lot of people thought we were still just a hostel,” said Woodhouse.
“I just wanted to make it a bit more known to locals that we are serving coffee and beer on tap and that they are welcome to come and have a sip.”
Woodhouse, who also works full-time at the Irving Oil Refinery, says the strategy is working since the café became The Uptowner in early December.
“A lot of people have really been enjoying the new brand, [it is] helping people understand that it is for more than just travelers,” she said.
The Uptowner has a wide variety of food and drinks, including eight craft beer on tap from all over the province.
The Uptowner’s chalkboard promoting events (Image: Elizabeth MacLeod)
It also offers vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options for treats, and regular baked goods, bagels and smoothies.
“We also have daily soups and sandwiches being offered, always all real ingredients made from scratch,” said Woodhouse.
The café also hosts well-attended live music shows, boardgame nights, Cartoon Saturdays and Movie Tuesday events.
In the spring and summer, they’ll bring back the outdoor patio. Woodhouse hopes all of these features will bring out more locals, which makes the experience of staying at BunkHaus more enjoyable for visitors.
“The guests really enjoy meeting locals,” said Woodhouse. “Now we just want to let [local] people know they’re welcome to join in as well.”
