Best Nightlife Venue : Rock Trout Café
Rock Trout Café is truly a work of passion – the passion of the owners, Paul and Susan Luedtke, to bring together their love of music, great food and atmosphere. The Rock Trout Café at 903 Central Avenue, downtown Prince Albert taking advantage of the area’s historic buildings, and reclaiming the old for new use. Walking into the Rock Trout you immediately notice the long hardwood planks polished and gleaming, the restored brick walls scattered with art and murals by locals, and the long elegant curving bar along one side. Several years of restoration and construction have created an interior that really is one of a kind in Prince Albert.
Paul and Susan opened their doors to the public in January of 2016, and soon after began booking live music into the venue. Performers have included local bands such as The Goats, Almighty Voice, Gina Horswood, Jeff Scroggins & Colorado, Liza Brown & Crazy Fox, and many more. The open mic nights are one of Paul’s favorites, as the groups really generate their own energy and excitement in the venue. Susan compares the energy to a “family wedding” where anyone of all ages can get together and have a great time. Susan would like to remind the public to know that they are family friendly, so they encourage you to come in for an amazing family night out.
Speaking with Paul about his experiences opening the restaurant is like hearing about an adventure, how they decided to pursue the restaurant business without prior experience, and all the ups and downs that come with entrepreneurship. As Paul says “It’s not all about making money. We enjoy the music, meeting the people, and stepping up to the challenge of creating something new. You go to Saskatoon or Vancouver and you go to a really nice place and you think, well, why we can’t have this… You just gotta do it”
Truly, the atmosphere is one of supporting local business. The walls are covered in art from various local artists, the espresso is grinding up beans form a local roaster, and the bands that perform are mostly from Prince Albert and area. Rock Trout entertains visitors from across Canada, and just down the block, the Cafe is really a hub of activity.