Darren McGeown comes across as a bit of a rebel among bar owners. While most places offer the usual greasy pub grub, his Arcadia Bar serves up everything vegetarian or vegan. As most watering holes search the globe for the most exotic beers around, Darren stays local. And, with most venues searching for the trendiest acts to fill their spaces, the bar owner mixes it up with eclectic entertainment and anything else that might seem out of the ordinary. But then, Arcadia is hardly a conventional hangout.
But, Darren says his dream for the bar is an amalgamation of experiences he's collected after visiting numerous pubs around the world. “It’s just a result of ideas after being in Liverpool, Riga, Amsterdam and Ireland, ” he says about the inspiration for Arcadia, which opened in 2014. “They're just small bars where you get a sense of a better atmosphere, in a small space, people are having a good time and sitting beside each other.”
Darren also avoided the temptation to open a nightspot downtown or in Old Strathcona, districts already congested with bars, opting for the more idyllic surroundings of Westmount, just northwest of the city core. “I always felt there was a good vibe in the Westmount community, where there are really cool independent businesses,” he says. “I think every business owner around here is very proud to be in a spot like this; there are good people who think and act locally.”
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0 |
There aren't many fully vegan places to eat here in Edmonton. I was beyond stoked to find another. And this place is seriously cool. Interior decor was so neat. And the food was literally to die for. Vegan chicken and waffles on the brunch menu was so so good. Every single person working there was so happy to be there. you could feel the pride they felt just from working there. This is a bar I would happily spend my evenings and days at with no regret. I really wish the best for this place. Nothing else like it in this city.
Think your friends might be familiar with this business? Ask your friends on Facebook to see what they think.
Arcadia Bar is 124 Street’s vegan destination, offering vegan pub fare such as chips and dip, hummus and naan and fantastic vegan pizzas like John Candy Canadian Coconut Bacon Pizza or Kevin McAllister Cheese Pizza. But nothing compliments a beer quite like their bottomless gluten-free popcorn, in ever changing varieties that are sure to please your palate.
View this Smart ListArcadia is a neat little bar on 124 Street. Sometimes, you want to go out for drinks, but typical bar food that’s vegetarian and delicious can be hard to come by. Arcadia addresses that problem by offering a lot of great vegetarian and vegan dishes! You can order a few great dishes and then wash it down with local beer!
View this Smart ListThis vegan bar also offers plenty of gluten-free goodies, making it a haven for those who normally can’t enjoy pub grub. With tasty treats such as Popcorn or Glory, Nelson’s Freedom Nachos and Kale Chips for Doomed Youth, people with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity will never feel like they’re missing out on a great night. The Che Gordita, created from locally made white corn tortillas filled with falafel, corn, onions, lettuce, salsa and melted cheese, is also a great gluten-free snack or meal.
View this Smart List