A New Beat for Whyte Avenue: SOHO Nightclub's Legacy Continues Under New Ownership

There's a certain kind of hum that permeates Old Strathcona after dark, isn't there? A palpable energy that draws you in, a medley of music, laughter, and frankly, a few questionable song choices drifting from open doors. And speaking of those enduring fixtures, one beloved Old Strathcona spot, SOHO Nightclub, is about to turn a page, marking the end of one remarkable chapter and, well, the beginning of another, hopefully just as vibrant.

For twenty years, can you believe it? Twenty whole years, Mark and Tina Pappas have been the beating heart behind SOHO. But honestly, their legacy on Whyte Avenue stretches even further back, a full three decades if you count Flashback and Lush, their previous ventures in the very same energetic locale. Think about that for a second: three decades of welcoming folks, of providing a place to dance, to unwind, to, you know, just be themselves. It’s a bit of an institution, really.

But all good things, as they say, evolve. The Pappas family is, quite rightly, ready for a new rhythm in their own lives, and so, SOHO is changing hands. And here's the kicker, the true heart-saver for many: those legendary karaoke nights? They’re sticking around. Yes, you heard that right. The mic will still be hot, the songbooks still full, and, frankly, the courage liquid still flowing. It's a continuity that genuinely warms the soul for anyone who’s ever belted out a questionable power ballad there.

So, who’s stepping into such big shoes, you might wonder? Well, it’s a family, as it happens, already deeply woven into Edmonton's culinary and social fabric—the very folks who brought us the delightful culinary adventures of Dorinku, B-Daimon, and Katsu. Pretty exciting, isn’t it? Mark Pappas himself sounds genuinely pleased, assuring us the club is in “really good hands.” It’s a testament to the new owners, really, that they're already earning that trust.

The deal, a big one, finalizes on July 1st. And while SOHO, as we know it, will fade gently into memory, the new vision for the space is expected to take shape by the fall. What will it become, exactly? Well, a dance club still, that much is certain. But perhaps with a slightly different rhythm, a fresh kind of energy, a distinct new "vibe" that aims to keep the party going for the next generation of Old Strathcona club-goers. Change is always a little bittersweet, but sometimes, just sometimes, it's also a wonderfully exciting prospect.