Bars drafting ideas to shake up Oakville’s dining
The owner of Shakers, Tony Coelho, stands with two of his employees behind the bar.
STORY BY SAMANTHA MAICH
Sheridan students are about to see a change in the local bar scene with Shakers becoming a southern smokehouse restaurant, and Philthy McNasty’s sports bar having switched ownership and its name to Drafted.
The Shakers Bar and Grill at the intersection of Kerr and Speers Rd. is shifting to a restaurant. Tony Coelho, owner of Shakers, said the entire staff went on a seven-day consulting course with grand champion barbeque expert Mike Mills in preparation of Shakers becoming a southern-style smokehouse.
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“It was pretty interesting. Everyone was pumped and we couldn’t wait to get back here and start cooking,” said Coelho. He said the staff would already be stuffed from previous dishes, but still wanted more when the next dish came out of the oven during the consultation course in Missouri.
Although Coelho said the shift from a bar to a restaurant was “always part of the plan,” it was also a very good time to change to a restaurant. He said he first chose the location for Shakers based on improvements to Kerr Street, but there is also an apartment complex opening nearby housing 1,000 people.
Coelho is open to patrons of all ages, but hopes to get away from the image of a bar, and be recognized as a restaurant. He said people tend to come in for a few drinks, and then consider eating after. He wants Shakers to be a restaurant students would come to for lunch.
Shakers is keeping their laidback atmosphere when they change from a bar to a restaurant.
Coelho just purchased the two storefront units beside him, which he plans to use as a billiard room with the chance of billiard tournaments. He has also purchased several expensive smokers and is having them shipped in. Coelho said the cooking they had learned was something you could not find anywhere else in Oakville, and the expansion will be good for students.
Coelho is looking for students to perform at the bar, and would also be interested in having some Sheridan food critics come to his bar once it is fully opened as a southern-style smokehouse.
Shawn West, a new chef at Shakers who has 20 years of experience, said he has been a patron at Shakers for years, and was asked to participate in the changes. “It’s almost like starting a new chapter in the restaurant,” said West. “It is the most positive change I have ever been a part of.”
West said that he had learned everything about the process of using smokers from the course in Missouri. “Every step of production of food with the smokers, we learned it there,” he said, and explained the main dishes will stay the same, but they will add in more barbequed dishes.
The sports bar, Drafted, featured red, black, and white balloons floating above tables as the Mountain Lion Trappers rock band performed, and waitresses dressed in red served free samples of food in celebration of its opening day on Nov.29.
Michael Poplawski, one of three owners of Drafted, a bar once known as Philthy McNasty’s, said the changes to the bar occurred due to new ownership. They brought in new tables, beer, flooring, and a new paint job.
Drafted, previously Philthy McNasty’s officially opened on Nov.29 with a sign that can be seen from Speers Rd.
Jerseys were hung in a line above one of the seating areas, gaining attention from the patrons.
Poplawski said they were going to “run with it and see how it goes” before changing anything else, but plans include free ping-pong and foosball tables, dartboard, and wifi.
Poplawski said he is open to customers of all ages, and tends to have families come in throughout the day. Business has been OK, but he hasn’t started advertising, and is working on getting the new chef’s menus printed, which still includes many of the same signature dishes, along with many new choices including selections of burgers and seafood.
According to Poplawski, they are always accepting resumés but most of their staff is set already. He welcomed Sheridan bands to come perform at the sports bar.
The Oakville Fire Department was at the opening day supporting Lion’s Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, the new Oakville hospital, and a four-year-old boy named Liam who was diagnosed with cancer, said Kurtis Mantell with the Oakville Fire Department. He said they were handing out calendars to raise funds for Liam.
Lisa Savarie and Michelle Halliwell pose behind a table at Drafted with their children during the opening day.
Mantell said they held their first calendar launch at Philthy McNasty’s two years ago. He said he liked the paint job, the jerseys and the good atmosphere.
Lisa Savarie and Michelle Halliwell were at Drafted on the opening day with their children. They were invited to the bar by one of the owners and said they tended to go to restaurants like Drafted, where there is a kid-friendly, laidback atmosphere.
The pair said the food was delicious, the live band was a nice touch, and service was great. They both said they would come back in the future.
Added by Samantha on December 9, 2014.
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Tags: Alcohol, Bars, billiard, cancer, Drafted, Kerr Street, Kurtis Mantell, Liam, Michael Poplawski, Oakville fire department, Philthy McNasty's Sports Pub, resteraunts, Samantha Maich, Shakers, Shakers Bar and Grill, Shawn West, Smokers, Southern Style Cooking, Southern Style Steakhouse, Speers, teaser, Tony Coelho
