When the husband and wife team of Don and Bonnie Bradley proposed the idea of a brew pub in Victoria’s Burnside Gorge neighbourhood, you’d be forgiven for assuming it would be in a trendy development like Selkirk Waterfront or Dockside Green.

Instead, the Bradleys chose a unit in a non-descript commercial strip mall along Bay Street’s industrial heart. While lacking in bucolic waterfront views and shady patios, the proposed location is surrounded by dozens of businesses, but hardly anywhere to grab a beer after work, let alone a lunchtime sandwich. Bonnie Bradley describes the high-density commercial district as having “a built-in clientele” and that neighbouring businesses have greeted the proposed pub with enthusiasm. “They’re thrilled to bits”, Bonnie says, “of the idea of having a place nearby to have a pint and eat a good lunch”.

Site of the proposed pub site on Bay Street in the former Direct Buy location. Photo © VibrantVictoria.ca.

Hoping to head off the rezoning headaches experienced when they investigated opening a pub in the old needle exchange building on Cormorant Street, the Bradleys searched for a location that had industrial zoning (including restaurant and brewery uses) close to Downtown’s border population. Unfortunately for them, in order to sell their own beer in the restaurant, a liquor primary license was also required, triggering the rezoning they hoped to avoid. Antiquated “Tied House” laws, drafted before the era of the neighbourhood brew pub and with national breweries in mind, have been the bane of the Victoria publican’s existence for generations, forcing pubs to sell competitors’ products unless special permission was granted.

The pub's name was inspired by a George Orwell article. Image supplied. Photo © VibrantVictoria.ca.

Don and Bonnie vow to press on with their chosen location and are in the process of installing fireplaces, skylights, furniture and brewing equipment in the former Direct Buy location at 350-B Bay Street. Named “The Moon Under Water” after George Orwell’s article on the hypothetical ideal pub, the Bradley’s alehouse will be modeled after traditional English self-serve pubs. Bonnie mentions the Crow and Gate pub outside Nanaimo as a model to emulate, a destination pub with a small menu featuring quality food. The Bradleys are no strangers to the beer business; Don co-founded Bowen Island Brewing in 1994 before selling four years later. The couple plan to brew English-style Ales and a Czech-style pilsner, with nothing above 4.5% alcohol. They’re aiming for a July opening for the restaurant while they await City Council’s decision on the Pub rezoning.

A Community Association meeting looking into the rezoning application will be held tonight at the Burnside Gorge Community Centre on Cecilia Road. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

To discuss the Moon Under Water Pub on the VibrantVictoria.ca discussion forum, click here.

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