Shark sighting: Kamloops’ newest sports bar is in a league of its own and ready for opener

By MIKE YOUDS

L.A. Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick was standing tall – about seven metres tall — on Wednesday night at the Shark Club.

Kamloops’ newest sports bar, which opens for lunch Thursday at 11 a.m., comes with a slogan that’s no exaggeration: “We’re in a league all our own.”

There is nothing else like it in town; in fact, there’s nothing like it in any Canadian town outside of Toronto and Calgary, said general manager Ryan Allatt. He was referring specifically to the giant screen, which dwarfs any other big screen in Kamloops.

Then there are the 64 other TV screens flashing every broadcast sport available from every corner of the stylish establishment next to the newly opened Sandman Signature Hotel.

While the Shark Club chain has always prided itself on being a cut above the typical sports bar, this one is particularly flashy with contemporary design flair, including suspended beams running diagonally, a dazzling array of electronic visuals and a “crazy lighting system,” Allatt said.

“We’re expecting to be extremely busy,” he said.

Shark Club is part of the Sandman group of companies and reflects the hockey passion of owner Tom Gaglardi.

As Allatt spoke, many of his 110 staff members were going through the paces in preparation for patrons. With a delayed opening after months of anticipation – and just in time for the NHL finals – don’t expect to find too many empty seats. Above the bar, they display the jerseys of NHLers who cut their teeth with the Kamloops Blazers. On the opposite side, more jerseys from NHL greats.

But Allatt expects his staff will be busier when there is no hockey. The bar, which converts into a night club after 10 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, seats close to 300 patrons. This Saturday, to celebrate the opening, New York DJ Disco Fries will be at the turntable.

“Summers will be great because we do have two patios. I think summer’s going to be our busiest season.”

With a view of Riverside Park’s main entrance and just minutes from the beach, that’s probably no exaggeration, either.