One of the Oldest Bars Closes in Oakville

One of Oakville’s most well-known watering holes has shut down — doors were shuttered last week in Bronte, where news of the Coach & Four closing caught many residents and long-time patrons of

One of Oakville’s most well-known watering holes has shut down — doors were shuttered last week in Bronte, where news of the Coach & Four closing caught many residents and long-time patrons off guard.

The English pub has been a staple in the southwest end of town for more than 30 years.

So here’s what’s happening next: Catch Hospitality Group – which owns many of Oakville’s top restos, including Cucci, Plank, Tavolo, and the Firehall – has since taken over the location.

“We’re totally gutting the building and renovating it right now, so it’ll be all new,” said Catch Hospitality president Doug Greco, adding “we had nothing to do with the closure of the Coach & Four.”

Here’s what’s on tap for the space at 2432 Lakeshore Rd. W.: a new resto called West End Social.

As far as the menu goes, “it’s really in its development stages,” said Greco.

He smiles and drops a hint — “cocktails and light bites.”

Greco follows with clarification.

West End Social “is not a high-end martini bar,” he said.

So will it be another English pub featuring standard pub grub, i.e. fish and chips and the like?

“We wanted to do something a little more accessible to everybody,” said Greco.

Having said that, if you like English pubs, “you’ll like the feel” of the new place, Greco said.

“To me, there’s not a lot of nightlife in Bronte,” continued Greco, a self-described “Bronte boy, born and raised.”

He pauses.

“I think the end result is going to be really nice.”

With Plank – which opened in July 2012 – now averaging a 60-minute wait on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, it’ll be nice to have a place nearby to grab a drink until a table opens up for dinner … 

West End Social is slated to open in January.