Beloved bar Canon on Seattle’s Capitol Hill to close until at least spring of 2021

Canon, Seattle’s snug bar serving aged spirits, bespoke drinks and global bites under retro digs, will officially close up shop on Seattle’s Capitol Hill.

The closure comes temporarily, though the future of Canon remains uncertain alongside increased restrictions for the food industry as a result of the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“As far as reopening for regular service, well, that all depends on getting this pandemic under control,” Canon said on Twitter. “Stay home. And wear a mask if you have to go out. If all goes well we’ll be open in the spring.”

As a countdown begins across Canon’s social media channels before its “hibernation,” its doors will officially close on Nov. 25 through at least the spring of 2021.

“We are losing more money being open than closed,” owner Jamie Boudreau told Eater Seattle.

The cocktail industry has been hit especially hard amid the novel coronavirus given to-go orders aren’t necessarily the best means for transporting typically house-made concoctions. While more than 70 restaurants and bars have shuttered permanently as a result of the restrictions in place due to the novel coronavirus, new guidelines prohibiting indoor dining might mean many more “hibernations,” or permanent closures, for those without the means to offer comfortable outdoor dining.

“Earlier this fall, Boudreau said the business was losing thousands of dollars every week just staying open for takeout, and would have to shut down if things didn’t pick up,” Eater Seattle reported. “Though there was a bit of a reprieve in October, and Canon featured a full food menu…it wasn’t enough to make up for the steep revenue drop. And dine-in was not in the cards for such a small space.”

Boudreau joins many others hibernating for the winter, and hopefully many others reopening down the line, given 2021 sees more control over the spread of the novel coronavirus.

In the meantime, Boudreau hopes for a few “pop-up” events over the next few months before Canon’s reopening, posting updates on Canon’s social media channels.

But for now, like many others, Boudreau is settling in for some much-needed rest this winter, following months of trying to keep Canon afloat alongside Seattle’s struggling food industry.

“I really need a break as I was ready for a vacation before this pandemic started,” he told Eater Seattle. “I haven’t had a day off but for injury since 2019, and quite frankly have actually been working more hours than before to try and make this thing succeed.”