‘A place to call home’: New LGBTQ-friendly bar opens in Hamilton

Just three decades ago, only men could walk through the doors of the brown brick building at the intersection of Cannon and Wellington, sit down at the bar and order a pint.

Back then, the tavern was known as The Wellington House - the last men-only" pub of its kind in Hamilton.

Fast-forward to the present, and much has changed. The iconic watering hole is now known as The Well Hamilton, which opened its doors in early December but is now temporarily closed because of provincial COVID measures.

It's not just any kind of bar.

It's an LGBTQ-friendly space that the community can call home," said owner and Hamilton-born businessman John Ribson.

Hamilton hasn't had a bar like this in quite some time," said Ribson, pointing to the closure of the Steel Lounge and others before it. We've never really had a consistent space."

The idea for The Well was spurred by a drive through the city after a Ticats game a few years ago, said Ribson.

On his way to drop his sister off back at home, Ribson was turning left onto Cannon Street when the building and a for sale" sign caught his eye. Not long after, he bought the property and work got underway.

The building has since been completely redone, all the way down to its studs and reinforcements. The wing down Cannon Street has seven apartments and a Topper's Pizza that services the bar.

Work on the building began just months after the pandemic began and was delayed by COVID lockdowns, issues uncovered during renovations and long waits for permits and approvals.

The once dilapidated pub has been completely transformed, he added.

It was a massive undertaking," said Ribson, who has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 30 years. It's now built for years to come, not just for now."

Ribson is also planning on opening a retail space in the lower level that doubles as a barbershop and a retail store in hopes of hiring folks within the community.

It's gay-owned and gay-operated," said Ribson. There will be people from all the diversified communities coming together and working in one space."

Since opening, the bar has hosted drag performers, go-go dancers and other queer artists as well as held viewing parties for Drag Race Canada and the Grey Cup.

Ribson said the space fills a longtime gap for queer-friendly spaces in Hamilton - a struggle" the 58-year-old personally felt growing up in the city. He is also hopeful The Well will draw in folks of all ages and experiences.

I'm hoping community members feel safe and included here," said Ribson. It's so important to give back to the community and provide these spaces. They now finally have a place to call home."

And beyond the Hamilton location, Ribson said he has big plans for The Well brand. He has already opened a location in Toronto on Church Street and has two others in the works.

He hopes to eventually franchise the brand and have locations across the province and country, something Ribson knows much about - he owns 37 Wendy's restaurant locations after starting as an assistant manager in 1994.

I really think there is a business out for it," he added.

However, the Steeltown spot will remain the closest to his heart - despite it having to temporarily close just a month after opening due to the latest wave of COVID-19.

It's really disheartening when you've invested all of this money into a business," said Ribson, noting that due to the bar being new, they fail to qualify for government supports. Hopefully, there's a light at the end of the tunnel."

The Well Hamilton is located at 161 Wellington St. N.

Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com