Sneaky’s Pub has been Elkford’s best kept secret for almost 40 years. Shortly after the town of Elkford formed, the pub and attached hotel were built in 1974 to accommodate the sudden influx of mine workers.
“It’s always kind of been a workers’ bar, and it still is,” said manager Brandi Halladay. “A lot of the locals come out and we’ve got our coal miners, and a huge amount of workers that stay in the hotel and come in here.”
With a few changes and renovations over the years, Sneaky’s is now a hang out for more than just coal miners. “A cool thing about the bar is that it’s old and young,” remarked Halladay. “The crowd is mixed, it’s not just a young kids’ bar or a retirement bar, everybody just kind of flows and binds together.”
Born and raised in Elkford, Halladay began working at the pub four years ago and never imagined she’d still be there today. “I started out here thinking I’m just going to bartend for a year, save some money and go travelling,” she said. “I started with zero experience, never had served food, bartended, or anything in my life, and I fell in love with it right away. We have a great group of regulars, they’re awesome. It’s all laughs and jokes all day. I call it my dysfunctional family.”
With the help of Halladay, Sneaky’s is now known as a music venue, recognised by the CBC and throughout the Kootenays. “I’m trying to book acts all the time and get the music scene pumping. That’s something that people in Sparwood and Fernie don’t know about us,” Halladay explained. “Fernie’s got a great music scene going on as well, but we’re not always booking the same acts.”
From Econoline Crush and Lillix, to David Bowie’s guitar player and one of the original Beatles, before they became the ‘fab four,’ Sneaky’s has brought in some amazing artists to entertain the small community of Elkford.
“It’s been hard trying to develop a music scene in this town,” said Halladay. “Our last entertainment manager worked really hard to establish that reputation and we’ve done well with it and tried to carry it on.”
With a brand new food menu, and a full time designated driver service, Sneaky’s is doing its best to draw in crowds from all over the Elk Valley. To check out some of their upcoming events and shows visit their website at www.elkfordmotorinn.com/Sneaky’s_Pub.