The Empire

Regina's oldest operating hotel, the Empire Hotel was built in 1912. It was built before the Hotel Saskatchewan and Holy Rosary Cathedral, and the same year as the Saskatchewan Legislative Building. It has, perhaps, not been preserved in the same way as the other buildings, but it remains part of the city's history, a landmark in its own right.

While other similar hotels have been torn down over the years, such as the Landmark Inn, which was once in Regina's South End, and the Plains Hotel, which stood on the corner of Victoria Ave and Albert St, the Empire Hotel remains reminiscent of an older time—perhaps not of 1912, but it is certainly a relic of the twentieth century. 

While its rooms are seldom rented in the conventional fashion anymore, there are many long-term residents in the building, and the bar is open during the week—in the afternoons and early evenings. Although they have no kitchen, visitors are welcome to bring in food from neighboring restaurants, such as Burger King, which is across the street, and open 24/7. 

Joni Mitchell's 1970's song, "Raised on Robbery" is said to be about the Empire Hotel—a song she wrote after staying at the hotel decades ago—and the building was one of the few to survive the Regina cyclone in the early twentieth century. It is interesting how much history a building can acquire, especially one that has become primarily known for its liquor off sale.

My dad loves this place, and so we have been to the bar many times, and this week we took a whole group out to celebrate a family occasion, and at the end of the night (circa 8 p.m.), we took some photos to commemorate, as it may be a while before we visit there again. So, for anyone who has yet to experience the smoky greatness which is Regina's Empire Hotel, you can have a glimpse of it here.