Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / A downtown whiskey saloon that celebrated its grand opening with considerable hoopla in 2023 but closed without much fanfare earlier this year has gone up for sale.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack hotel, lounge for sale

Chilliwack hotel, shuttered lounge hit the market with a substantial price tag

Sep 4, 2024 | 2:00 PM

CHILLIWACK — A downtown whiskey saloon that celebrated its grand opening with considerable hoopla in 2023 but closed without much fanfare earlier this year has gone up for sale.

Whiskey Richard’s Bar and Lounge, which opened in April 2023 with a dazzling celebration featuring a roast pig banquet and cultural performance from Chinese dragon dancers, has hit the market along with the adjoining Royal Hotel for an asking price of $5,099,900.

According to a listing from commercial realtor Rod Friesen, the Royal Hotel is a 21,000-square foot hotel containing 27 charming bed and breakfast suites, situated in what is called the “rapidly transforming downtown Chilliwack area.”

The Royal Hotel, which was partially updated in 2020 and 2022, sports a rich history dating back to the 1900s. The hotel boasts modern upgrades, full sprinkler systems, and updated plumbing, electrical, heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems.

Image: Realtor Rod Friesen / The interior of the Royal Hotel.

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The property also contains multiple restaurant spaces, a 155-seat dining area with an additional banquet room for corporate and large events.

Image: Realtor Rod Friesen / The interior of the former Whiskey Richard’s lounge.

The commercial real estate is being sold “as-is, where-is”, and its sale is subject to court approval. The building was first constructed in 1908.

Leading up to its grand opening on April 7, 2023, the upscale lounge had undergone months of physical renovations, menu revisions, and cocktail testing. Performers from a Chinese lion dance group in Vancouver helped christen the launch of Whiskey Richard’s, the newest addition to the downtown landscape at 45886 Wellington Avenue, during a weekend reception on the premises of the Royal Hotel. Owner Richard Tam marked the occasion with a roast pig luncheon and cultural performance from Chau Luen Athletics in Vancouver. He was accompanied by Abigail Montalvo, vice president of hospitality for the Influent Group, and Brian Coombes from CEPCO.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Owner Richard Tam, Abigail Montalvo and Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation CEO Brian Coombes are pictured during the grand opening celebration of Whiskey Richard’s in April 2023. The upscale lounge has since closed.

Whiskey Richard’s last promoted a cabaret-style event on April 16, before posting a notice on its Facebook page a week and a half later that two lessees in the Royal Hotel were locked out of their businesses on April 17.

“We have little to no answers other than the landlord believes he’s somehow terminated our leases with no legal notice or grounds to so,” Whiskey Richard’s said. “There is a laundry list of civil litigation and foreclosures…At this time we believe that Tokyo Grill and Whiskey Richards are caught in between something we know nothing about. Our only recourse is the courts (which clearly he doesn’t mind). However, as things progress I will keep you updated.”