The halifax Alehouse has been sold

The Halifax Alehouse has been sold after years of controversy and turmoil following the death of patron Ryan Sawyer.

Both the Alehouse and HFX Sports Bar were bought out by George Ramia, the owner of the nearby Keg Steakhouse and other local properties, on December 20th of last year.

On Christmas Eve of 2022, Sawyer was found unconscious outside of the Alehouse and later pronounced dead in hospital (read more here). An Alehouse security guard, Alexander Levy, has been charged with manslaughter and criminal negligence resulting in death. Although Levy and another bouncer had previously been charged with assault, they were still employed by the Alehouse.

The Liquor Control Act ordered the Alehouse to close in October 2024 for 45 days in relation to Sawyer’s death — one of the longest closures ever imposed on a liquor licensee in Nova Scotia — after which it never reopened.

As of right now, it’s unclear what Ramia intends to do with the property. While it’s possible Halifax will lose one of its longstanding nightlife staples — and a haven for the local music scene and live bands — at the same time, we can hope that the next iteration of the Alehouse will dedicate itself to safety and harm reduction.

Lead Photo: Halifax Alehouse