New P.E.I. bar features vinyl, craft beer

A new bar with a throwback theme is breathing life back into a downtown Charlottetown location that's been closed for about a year and a half.

When you walk into Hopyard, it's not someone's iPod or playlist you hear. It's all vinyl 500 records on hand, says co-owner Mike Ross.

"Right now, two of the hottest things in pop culture are craft beer and vinyl's making a huge comeback," Ross said. "We wanted to do something that reflected that."

Beer and cider from across North America

While the music is throwback, many of the drinks are new, at least to P.E.I.

Ross and his co-owner Brett Hogan are doing all the legwork to bring in the latest beer and ciders from across North America.

"We wanted to give Charlottetown something new," Ross said.

Every item on the menu is less than $8, said executive chef Jane Crawford.

"We've worked together to sort of compile something that has a lot of ethnic flavours," she said. "A lot of really cool ...use of different products, that people just aren't doing on the Island. You know we're sourcing all local."

The bar is located on KentStreet in the space vacated by the former restaurant Lot 30.

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