I did a double-take when I saw the date on these images in our archives. It’s been five years since I first walked into what would soon become the new Chambar. As you may recall, the celebrated and singular Belgian-Moroccan restaurant spent is first decade growing up next door at 562 Beatty St. (now Devil’s Elbow). I’m not that great at math, but I’m pretty sure that means the restaurant will turn 15 this Fall. My notes from way back when…

The new restaurant will be roughly twice the size of the current one, with about 270 seats between two levels, a 50 seat patio, and private rooms that can fit 20 – 80 people. There are lots of opportunities for new design motifs to fit in with the old, but I suspect it will look very similar to the original. Yes, in addition to the branding, relaxed vibe, deep drinks programs, and casual flirtations with fine dining, much of its furniture will also be making the move, which is great news because who doesn’t love the original tables, couches, banquettes and button-ed up red booths? “The layout will be just like the old Chambar,” Karri explains, pointing out how the front will be the lounge and bar area that narrows at the waist to open up into a dining room. “The new place has brick and beams, too,” she adds, referring to the core aesthetic of the original. One big change is that the wall that divides the patio from the interior will be glass (said patio will also have its all-day sunshine filtered by young trees – sounds awesome).

Take a look…

Chambar

Neighbourhood: Downtown

568 Beatty St.

604-879-7119

WEBSITE