Skip to content

Private event keeps Oak Bay pub open later – one night only

Council convenes last minute to allow for wedding at the Penny Farthing
29688377_web1_220706-OBN-PennyFarthingWedding_1
The province and district approved a liquor licence extension for the Penny Farthing pub to allow for a wedding celebration on July 9. (Penny Farthing Public House/Facebook)

A weekend wedding celebration and miscommunication between governments led to a last-minute meeting on Wednesday in Oak Bay.

Couns. Andrew Appleton, Eric Zhelka, Cairine Green, Hazel Braithwaite and Esther Paterson met virtually to approve the two-hour extension for Penny Farthing’s business hours to 2 a.m. on Sunday.

District staff noted pub management did apply in plenty of time, with the breakdown coming between B.C.’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch and Oak Bay – creating the need for a mid-week, midday meeting. British Columbia Liquor Licensing seeks support of the jurisdiction prior to issuing licences or extensions.

READ ALSO: B.C. leads Canada in breweries despite quaffing less beer than any other province

Appleton helmed the brief meeting where a spokesperson for the Victoria Pub Company, on behalf of owner Matthew MacNeil, explained the special event calling for the one-off extension.

The Penny Farthing is among the holdings of the Victoria Pub Company and a family wedding on July 9 will see guests dropped off at the Oak Bay Avenue venue at 9:30 p.m. and picked up at 1:30 a.m. the next morning.

After posing the question, Zhelka was assured the extension would not include the street patio portion of the business.

Council unanimously approved the extension.

VIDEO: Joey Chestnut is chomp champ again in July 4 hot dog contest


Do you have a story tip? Email: c.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.



Christine van Reeuwyk

About the Author: Christine van Reeuwyk

I'm dedicated to serving the community of Oak Bay as a senior journalist with the Greater Victoria news team.
Read more