More downtown patio bars!

There is much anticipation relative to the phased reopening of Ontario’s food and beverage industry that includes outdoor patio bars.

And as many of us in the Sault are looking forward to the planned, long-anticipated opening of outdoor patio bar season beginning the week of June 13, the downtown area along Queen Street and beyond will feature a multitude of open air, licensed dining establishments.

Those who have confirmed their outdoor patio bar intentions to Sault Business Matters include new, returning and expanded operations from east to west along Queen Street, over to Gore and down to Huron.

Thus far, the following locally-owned and operated downtown establishments have affirmed their licensed patio bar set ups to Sault Business Matters.

• Big Lake Cabin. A culinary retreat located directly across from Precious Blood Cathedral and just up the street from City Meat Market, the fresh food flavours are the signature of this place.

• East St. Pizza. Located at 76 East Street, pizza and fish tacos are features that can be had on what the owners tell us will be a “new and improved” patio set up this season.

• Broers Jansen. Wine bar. Local beer on tap. Home of the inimitable Jansen brothers ‘Brocuterie’ boards. Hot Dog Sammy’s world famous weenies. Say no more. Located at 674 Queen St. E., next to the Museum.

• Mane St. Cafe. Owner Krista Nolan and her husband Aaron have plans to expand the already spacious, popular patio bar that has become known for its daily drink and home-made lunch and snack specials. Mane St. Cafe is just up Queen — on the same side of the street — from its neighbourhood friends at Broers Jansen.

• Arturo’s. Co-owner Tom Comegna has confirmed to us that not only will Arturo’s return with their sidewalk dining area at the front of the ristorante but they will also have a rooftop patio at the back of the building.

• Tazzi’s. Relatively new owners Grace Barros and Joe DiFlumeri tell us that they have an engineer working on a newly designed patio in front of Tazzi’s, which is located at 478 Queen, between Spring and March streets.

• Reggie’s Place Tavern. Operator Randy Lapossie is working on setting up an outdoor seating area in the back of the venerable building. Reggie’s is just across from the Post Office, on the corner of Queen and March streets.

• Outspoken Brewing. The local craft brewery serves up its own products on its alley patio on Queen, just past Elgin Street.

• The Whisky Barrel. At the end of Queen Street East, take a right turn onto Gore Street and all set up and ready to go when the Ontario government makes it official is the outdoor patio bar staffed by personable owner Dunbar Thompson and his friendly crew. The Whisky Barrel features a peerless selection of beer and whisky — and its Scottish pub fare is as good as it gets.

• The Boiler Room. Part of the Machine Shop group in its own little village on Huron Street, ownership tells us that the outdoor patio bar will be further expanded this season. Wood oven pizza, sandwiches, steak and prime rib dinners — along with an extensive craft beer on tap selection — are just some of what make this a place to be.