Shark Club will expand Kamloops nightlife

Image Credit: (Contributed)

January 24, 2014 - 8:41 AM

KAMLOOPS - If you’re looking for a new place to bust a groove, the Shark Club could be your new hotspot on Friday and Saturday nights when it opens this spring.

“We don’t really classify it as a nightclub,” said vice president of operations for the Shark Club, Jim Weidinger. “But it’s definitely some late nights and some dancing.”

While it walks and talks like a nightclub — adults only, security, ID swiping, a DJ, dancefloor, the potential for live shows, and possibly a cover charge — Weidinger said it's more of a casual environment.

“When you go into a typical nightclub you can’t hear yourself talk,” he said. “We’ve actually isolated our music volume. When you leave the dance floor you’re actually able to carry a conversation.”

It's unclear the capacity of patrons it will hold, but in a prime location across from the Interior Savings Centre, it's sure to add a new flavour to the Kamloops nightlife. After all, it's been a while since Kamloopsians had a new d-floor to tear up.

The nightclub scene has been stagnant or declining in the Tournament Capital for some time, with fewer venues around in the last few years. Downtown hotspots Cactus Jacks Nightclub and the Commodore Grand Cafe and Lounge both had capacity increases last year, allowing for more patrons. The increases came after Rivers Nightclub closed down in late 2011 and Cactus Jacks purchased the license without reopening the bar, effectively making it the largest liquor establishment in the city. The Max nightclub on Lorne Street was excavated in 2010 after closing to make way for the very hotel home to the Shark Club.

But for those hoping the Shark Club could rekindle the Max's Wednesday night tradition—cheap beer night—it's not going to happen.

"We never ever look at ourselves as a discount place," Weidinger said. "That's not what we're looking for."

They will, however, offer daily beer specials, play 'Top 40' style music and pride themselves as the 'ultimate sports bar.'

"This will be identical to the other Shark Clubs in our chain," Weidinger said.

The Shark Club is expected to open late March as part of the new Sandman Signature Hotel on Lorne Street. Currently hiring all positions, drop off a resume Jan. 24 to 26 at the Double Tree by Hilton at 339 St. Paul from 10 am to 7 p.m. in the Yellowhead Room.

To contact a reporter for this story, email: jwallace@infotelnews.ca, call: (250) 319-7494 or tweet: @jess__wallace.