Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Johnny's Jukebox Diner, located at 2-45966 Yale Road near the Chilliwack Museum, has applied for a permanent change to a food primary license. The diner has applied to add a patron participation entertainment endorsement to the food primary license that would allow artists, pianists, live bands, dancing, amateur nights, talent shows, karaoke, singalongs, and comedians within the diner, with a possible occupancy of up to 58 patrons. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Downtown Chilliwack diner

Downtown Chilliwack diner hopes to remake itself as an entertainment venue

Nov 16, 2024 | 3:05 PM

CHILLIWACK — A downtown Chilliwack diner that previously operated inside Chillibowl Lanes in downtown Chilliwack hopes to remake itself as a full-fledged entertainment venue at its new location on Yale Road.

Johnny’s Jukebox Diner, located at 2-45966 Yale Road near the Chilliwack Museum, has applied for a permanent change to a food primary license, according to a City of Chilliwack report authored by legislative services staffer Carolyn Wilkinson.

The diner has applied to add a patron participation entertainment endorsement to the food primary license to allow artists, pianists, live bands, dancing, amateur nights, talent shows, karaoke, singalongs, and comedians within the diner. The application for food primary license is currently being reviewed by the provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB). The City of Chilliwack says confirmation from the LCRB allows this application to run simultaneously as the food primary license application.

Johnny’s Jukebox Diner intends to operate from 9 a.m. to midnight Monday through Sunday, according to the city staff report.

The application was referred to the Chilliwack RCMP detachment, the City’s development, engineering and planning departments, and Chilliwack Fire Department for review and comment. There were no concerns from the Chilliwack RCMP, the city’s development, engineering and bylaw departments.

Holiday events

Harrison Hot Springs set to host seven weeks of holiday 'Lights by the Lake'

1h ago

Bylaw enforcement at Chilliwack home

City of Chilliwack asks council to pass resolution ordering Tyson Road owner to fix property or face consequences

1h ago

B.C. nursing student attacked with knife during first clinical placement: union

2h ago

Chilliwack Fire Department noted that its inspector conducted an initial occupancy review as a courtesy gesture and is conditional as the space was not completed at the time of inspection.

The City says the applicant, Kristina Rus, has an active building permit for tenant improvements on file, as the business is not yet open, and the applicant must meet all the requirements as the Chilliwack Fire Department does not have authority until the building department finalizes the active building permit. Once the building permit is finalized, the applicant must confirm the final occupant load numbers with the Chilliwack Fire Department to include the standing/dancing areas. The building permit application and related plans appears to indicate a projected occupancy of 58 patrons.

Chilliwack City Council will receive this information report at its meeting this coming Tuesday, Nov. 19, and could approve a public information hearing for Tuesday, December 3.