‘Pub 28’ is now open in Smoky Lake

  By Alan Kausy

A brand new social venue has opened its doors alongside Highway 28 in Smoky Lake, and their friendly staff is currently welcoming patrons to enjoy the warm and rustic atmosphere.

Attached to the Centex Gas Station and formerly a liquor store, ‘The Coolest Little Pub in Northern Alberta’ officially opened in late October 2021 following a two-month closure. It underwent minor renovations to convert it to its current state.

Operator and part-owner Didi Taylor situated herself within the Smoky Lake community 15 months ago and has since greatly diversified and popularized the Centex Station while ensuring customer and staff expectations are either met or exceeded.

Functioning as a full-service bar, Pub 28 is also a fully stocked Off Sales Liquor Store where customers can purchase any variety of alcoholic beverages or sit down and enjoy freshly prepared food and drinks.

The prices of all off-sales purchases remain the same or less than when the establishment was operating strictly as a liquor store.

Inside are two 58 inch televisions upon which customers may watch any sports game that is a local or international broadcast. A limitless music selection is also available, with stereo speakers mounted on the outside deck as well as within.

Pub 28 welcomes snowmobilers to take a break inside or enjoy a meal or beverage outside on the deck where propane heaters will keep them warm.

Many food selections are available for under $10.00 per serving, including nachos, wings, chicken tenders, fish bites, pork bites, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, freshly made sandwiches and other pub fare. A whole pizza can be enjoyed for only $21.99.

Domestic bottled beer is priced at $4.50 while imported ale is $5.50 each. Highballs are priced at $5.50, while cocktails are listed at $6.50. Many wine varieties are available and customers may also bring their own bottle of wine to enjoy. A necessary corking fee would be applied.

Non-alcoholic drinks are an alternative with hot chocolate, coffee, soda pop and virgin cocktails all readily available.

By February 1^st, the 30 person capacity pub will have a private VLT room offset from the main area within which three VLT machines will be situated. This room will consist of a separate exit/entrance that is wheelchair accessible and utilizable for individuals with mobility issues.

Patrons may entertain themselves by playing a game of Crib, Backgammon, poker or other card games as these are provided and available to customers. A mini pool table is also on-site, with Chess being a potential future option.

A Karaoke Night is expected to be held two times a month as well.

Adherence to current Alberta Health Services guidelines is mandatory for pub patrons, but this burden is eased somewhat with on-site availability of ‘Rapid Test Kits.’ These are sold for $25.00 each, and the immediately verified results are usable for 72 hours.

Ms. Taylor, along with Pub 28 Manager Susie Pritchard, remains keen on ensuring the establishment becomes an eclectic community fixture within which patrons can immediately feel comfortable and welcome.

With this long-term focus in mind, Ms. Taylor and Ms. Pritchard are encouraging cattle farmers to permanently (and safely) burn their cattle brand onto the wooden planked interior walls.

Also under consideration is allowing customers to etch their initials or a brief message onto the planks using a staff-provided wood-burning tool. Certainly, this would create a unique and intriguing décor.

Already adorning the interior is a Precision Drilling oil rig marker sign, and Ms. Taylor is encouraging anyone who desires to affix one of these to the wall or ceiling.

These creative and personalized additions, along with the already well-established company culture of treating all people with kindness, compassion and dignity, will assist greatly in further establishing ‘Pub 28’ as ‘The Coolest Little Pub in Northern Alberta.’

‘Pub 28’ is available by phone at 780-656-4042 as well as on the Facebook page, ‘Pub 28-Off Sales’.

The booking of private functions remains an option, as is the pre-ordering of meals.

Upon fully installing the VLT machines, their daily operating hours will be from 10 am until 2 am.