Twenty years ago, a neglected King Street building was given a second life.
Somewhere between the pints of Guinness, first dates, live music and hard times that followed, it became a second home for many in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The Irish Harp Pub marked two decades in Old Town on Monday with an all-day birthday celebration honouring the vision that started it — and the community that kept it alive.
Owner Jovie Joki said the Harp’s staying power comes from maintaining the authentic atmosphere of the Irish pub she and late founder Trevor Smyth created in 2006, while continuing to build its place in the community.
Smyth, who was from Portstewart, Northern Ireland, saw the vacant building at 245 King St. and believed it had potential.
The site was purchased, restored and transformed into a pub using contents shipped from Ireland.
“He saw something where others may only have seen a building forgotten by time and he transformed it into a place that would never be forgotten,” Joki told the crowd Monday.
Joki told The Lake Report the secret to lasting 20 years has been carrying on Smyth’s legacy, smart marketing and strong community support.
It also helps, she said, that “we all love doing what we do.”
Smyth died in 2013, but Joki said the Harp has worked to carry on his original vision while growing into one of the town’s entertainment spots.
That role became especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, she said. The building’s layout allowed the pub to close off sections and continue hosting smaller events when larger gatherings were not possible.
“We always had entertainment, but we’ve really beefed it up to be something else more for the community,” Joki said.
For her, that sense of connection is central to what an Irish pub should be.
“In Irish pubs, anyways, it’s always about the community gathering, whether it’s for entertainment or for sports or just, you know, to get together and chat and be social, right?”
The Harp has become “so much more than a pub,” Joki said.
“For 20 years, we have watched people walk through these doors as guests and leave as friends,” she said, adding the pub has hosted countless birthdays, milestones, first dates and reunions.
That history was on display Monday as customers filled the pub for live music, birthday cake from Willow Cakes and special anniversary food and drinks.
The celebration included selected Irish dishes priced at $20, the first pour of the pub’s new Celtic Knot White Stout, a 20th-anniversary stout whisky, and new anniversary merchandise.
Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa presented Joki with a certificate on behalf of the town and council in recognition of the business’ milestone.
Zalepa recalled bringing his children to the Harp when they were young and described it as a place where residents and visitors come together.
“It’s a local establishment, local hangout, and it’s a place where we can mingle with tourists and residents alike,” he said during his speech.
“You serve an important part in the community and it’s been a great institution here.”
The anniversary party was also a celebration of the people working behind the scenes. The Harp now has almost 90 employees, Joki said, crediting its staff, management team and her partner, co-owner Jeremy Buckland, with helping the business continue to grow.
Asked what celebrating 20 years means to her as a woman in the hospitality industry, Joki’s answer was immediate: “Thankful.”
“I have such a great team and a great partner.”
Joki said the right people make all the difference.
“I think for any owner, whether it be male or female, that everybody needs help.”
Monday’s party will not be the Harp’s only anniversary event. Joki said the pub plans to celebrate throughout its 20th year, with “bigger and better” events planned each month.
But she said the real measure of the past two decades cannot be found on a calendar.
“The true measure of those 20 years isn’t the number of years we’ve been open; it’s the number of lives we’ve touched, friendships we’ve made and memories we’ve shared.”
