ROB: It sounds like Melissa’s Missteak is rising from the ashes and will be reopening in Banff in a new location.

TANYA: Melissa’s Restaurant and Bar is going to be reopening the location where Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon was. When Melissa’s shut down for renovations to its location on Lynx Street associated with the redevelopment of the Homesteads, there were a lot of questions about its future.

ROB: You said Wild Bill’s “was”. Does that mean that Wild Bill’s is no more?

TANYA: Yeah. Wild Bill’ss didn’t actually reopen after the spring lockdown. We could determine it a COVID casualty, but it was already kind of slated to close. The news we had before was that there was this brew hall/craft beer place that was going to be going in there instead. That deal fell through. There’s no dancing allowed in Banff right now, and a lot of the activities that I think we would all enjoy at Wild Bill’s aren’t really COVID friendly.

ROB: I’m sad about this! I have so many great memories of awesome shows I’ve seen at Wild Bill’s. The Tea Party, Alexisonfire…I’ve been on stage there a couple of times with my Video Dance Parties. I guess the fact that it’s still going to reopen as a bar and restaurant with a nice big stage will mean that we’ll likely see a lot more of that activity. Melissa’s has done a lot of work to support local musicians too. I’m keen on this move even though I’m sad that Wild Bill’s is not going to be a thing anymore. When do they expect to open?

TANYA: They expect to open mid-January. We’re going to have interesting times in terms of what the future of many businesses in our community is going to be. I’m going to take the wins and the good news when I can.

Filed under: Banff, Mountain Insider