It's the end of an era - no more concerts, no more exotic dancers and ideally, no more fines.
After 100 years of bar service, the Ocean Port Hotel and Bar will be transformed into a quality liquor store with a wide variety of whiskey, scotch and specialty wines. While some are mourning the loss of exotic entertainment and pounding concerts, certain neighbours will be happy to see the current bar's doors close.
"Really what it boils down to is there's a small but vocal minority that don't want a noisy bar in their neighbourhood anymore," said Scott McQuade, Ocean Port owner for the past five years. "And really I just don't want to have to deal with it."
McQuade said that's not the crux of the issue but it definitely contributed to the decision.
"There's less than half a dozen complainers but they call every night and the police have to respond as do the bylaw officers - it's frustrating for everybody and I get slapped with a fine every time."
The business owner doesn't think his bar is uncharacteristically loud. "It's a bar, it's as loud as any room that has 200 people in it."
"Although we've had a bar here for as long as anyone can remember, we still have neighbours who buy a house next to a bar and expect that they're going to live in tranquility," he said.
Nonetheless, McQuade said he's tired of being regarded as a bad neighbour so he's decided to make the practical choice - turn the bar into the liquor store he needs and have a small lounge-like bar where the liquor store and café are currently located.
He said it makes sense economically as well - "business has declined and having a room full to 205 capacity is difficult," he said.
Known as a prime concert venue, the Ocean Port will no longer have the capacity to host concerts such as Santa Lucia, The Idlers and countless others.
"It's a shame for the community that we won't a good, quality concert venue," said McQuade.
The hotel, like the liquor store, will remain open during the renovations.
McQuade isn't overly upset about the loss of the exotic entertainment.
"I'm sure there will be some people who miss that as a form of entertainment, but really it's just an excuse to go out," he said.
The entertainment loss has at least one group of young Squamish women feeling disappointed enough to hold "unclassy ladies night" at the Ocean Port every Thursday until it closes.
"I think it's too bad because it's all in good fun," said regular patron Cherry Darling. "It's something to do and gets people out."
Darling only recently started frequenting the Ocean Port and despite its "grungy appearance," she said the atmosphere is great and the staff are really friendly.
"It's not a bad crowd - it's just a bunch of normal people who use the entertainment as an excuse to go out and have a good time," she said.
The last day for exotic dancers will be March 10 and the last night the pub will be open before renovations is March 12.
McQuade said he's more excited about the outside renovation more than anything.
"What I really want to do is clean it up and make the OP a great, clean place that I can be proud to come and work at," he said.
