After several long months of repairs, Bar Susu will soon be open for business in its original Mount Pleasant space following a fire last summer.
The blaze broke out on the morning of June 27, 2023 at 209 E. 6th Ave, forcing the restaurant to cease operations.
The Michelin-recommended Bar Susu opened in 2022 in the historic building formerly home to The Whip, earning several accolades in its debut year, including being named one of Canada's 50 best bars of 2023.
However, operators Boxset Collective (who also operate the Michelin-starred Published on Main) swiftly deployed Bar Susu and much of its inventive and lively food and drink programming over to its nearby Novella. Since last July, Bar Susu has returned to its roots, operating evenings in the borrowed space on Main Street.
Now comes word Bar Susu is finally heading home.
“We were always hopeful Bar Susu could one day return to its original space and after nine months of meetings, permits, and construction reviews, we’re so excited to finally make it happen,” said Cody Allmin, co-founder of Boxset Collective, in a media release issued March 11.
A precise timeline for the short journey to its home digs has not been revealed as of yet.
“Our team has done incredible things on Main Street – some of which we’ll definitely be carrying back with us to 6th Ave,” added Allmin. “We’ll be at Novella up until the move, and look forward to sharing an official date very soon.”
Bar Susu had ostensibly replaced Vignette, which is what Novella's evening concept had been called. A the time, Allmin said Vignette would be undergoing an "evolution," and hopefully we will know more soon about what's next for night-time at Novella.
There have been just a handful of Vancouver restaurants selected for distinctions on the city's Michelin Guide that have endured significant operational changes or closures since the list debuted in Vancouver in 2022. Hanai, added as a recommendation in July 2023, closed just a month later, when a fire in August 2023 forced a shutdown.
Just down The Drive, Oca Pastificio closed briefly in 2023, but re-emerged soon after, following the death of its original chef and co-founder, now rebranded as Magari by Oca. However, Nightshade and Regal Mansion restaurants have both closed.
Find more delicious Vancouver food and drink video stories by following VIA's Forking Awesome TikTok account, @forkingawesomevancouver on Instagram, and signing up for our Forking Awesome newsletter delivered fresh to your inbox every Thursday.
