Halifax Alehouse sold almost exactly two years after patron’s death
The iconic downtown Halifax bar that was the scene of a tragic homicide on Christmas Eve two years ago has recently changed hands. The Halifax Alehouse and HFX Sports Bar properties have been sold to a commercial real estate developer, George Ramia, as confirmed by records on the province’s land registry.
Ramia, who already owns several properties in downtown Halifax, including the Keg Steakhouse restaurant located behind the Alehouse, did not provide any comments on the acquisition when reached for a response. The properties were listed with an asking price of $10 million on real estate company Avison Young’s website.
The Halifax Alehouse has been a longstanding fixture in the Halifax dining and nightlife scene since before 1990, known for its Maritime charm and character. However, the bar was marred by a tragic incident on December 24, 2022, when Ryan Sawyer was found unconscious on the street outside the bar. Sawyer, aged 31, tragically passed away in the hospital, with his death later ruled a homicide by the province’s medical examiner.
Following the incident, Alexander Levy, a 39-year-old security guard at the Alehouse at the time, was charged with manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death in connection with Sawyer’s passing. This was one of several incidents that year involving the bar and its staff, leading to charges by police or lawsuits and triggering an investigation by Nova Scotia’s Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel, and Tobacco Division.
The division found several violations of the province’s regulations, including failing to report criminal charges related to incidents on or around the property. As a result, the Alehouse was ordered to close for 45 consecutive days in October, one of the longest closures ever imposed on a liquor licensee in the province. Despite the closure, the bar never reopened before being sold last month.
Maurice Aucoin, a former employee who worked at the bar for 15 years as a house musician and karaoke host, expressed sadness at the permanent closure, noting the impact on the local music scene in Halifax and the dedicated staff who worked there. According to Aucoin, the legal troubles faced by the bar and former security guards were among the factors that led the owners to sell.
The former owners of the bar, Michel and Marcel Khoury, did not provide any comments on the sale. The future of the historic building, constructed in 1893, is now uncertain following the sale. Halifax Regional Municipality is considering granting heritage status to the property, which could potentially protect it from future development.
Overall, the sale of the Halifax Alehouse and HFX Sports Bar marks the end of an era for a beloved establishment in the heart of downtown Halifax, with the community left to ponder what the future holds for this historic building.
