Waterfront beer garden pop-up open for business Thursday at Whitby’s historic Pump House
Published May 13, 2024 at 12:44 pm
The historic Pump House on Whitby’s waterfront will be back in business this weekend for its second season pouring craft beer for thirsty customers.
Vacant and unloved for 39 of its 120 years on the shores of Lake Ontario, the outdoor venue – Whitby’s first water pumping station – got new life last year when Town Brewery, with its brewhouse a short distance away, was awarded a five-year food and beverage pop-up licence by the Town of Whitby.
The Pump House opened for its first season on the Canada Day weekend in 2023 but will be serving local beers on tap, as well as wine, canned cocktails and non-alcoholic options, starting this Thursday and will remain open through the Victoria Day weekend.
The Pump House will be open every weekend this summer from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), as well as all holiday Mondays.
Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy, who had been working with the brewery on the project for several years, called it the “first of many good news stories about the redevelopment of our waterfront,” when the deal was signed last year, adding that the pop-up will help make the waterfront “more vibrant and welcoming for residents and visitors alike.”
The Pump House, which opened in 1904, had been vacant since 1984 when expansion took place at the water treatment plant located east of the building.
The Town completed work to rehabilitate and preserve the Pump House building in 2022.
“We’re extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with the Town of Whitby to bring life back to the historic Whitby Pump House this summer,” brewery general manager and co-founder Jeff Talmey said prior to the 2023 opening, adding that the brewery has focused on “strengthening our community through good work and good times” since they first opened.
Food truck options will be available and “well-behaved” dogs are always welcome.
Town Brewery, which opened its Charles Street brewery in 2017, is advising customers to keep an eye on its Facebook and Instagram pages in case of rainy days.
