Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

Best Nightlife Venue : Rock Trout Café

Sep 30, 2016 | 2:22 PM

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.

Other Prince Albert business owners and leaders have come to Paul and Susan to create a local favorite event, the WinesdaYPA.   WinesdaYPA is the brainchild of Evert Botha, Brad Baker, Tracy Lysuk and Patty Hughes, who approached Paul and Susan about hosting a specific fundraising event once a month.  The evening is a ticket-only, three course specialty menu where each course is paired with selected wines.  Rock Trout works closely with the organizers to match together the wine and food, and Rock Trout’s in-house chef, Tetsuo, prepares everything for the evening.

 The logistics of putting out over 80 plates of food in under 20 minutes requires a lot of volunteer time, and the Scotia Cares committee jumps in.  Scotia Cares matches each dollar raised at WinesdaYPA and this all goes to the Prince Albert Early Childhood Intervention program. 

Rock Trout has a daily special, and will soon be introducing a few new items to the menu.  Susan recommends her favorite salad to newcomers, the Rock Salad.  She encourages customers to come in often, as the wine selection varies along with the daily specials.

The Rock Trout name itself comes from the name of a portage on the Churchill River, which was a way to honor Saskatchewan and reminisce on Paul and Susan’s canoeing days.   When the décor was going up on the walls, Susan says so many people offered up unique decorations to adorn the brick that eventually she had to say no to any more.  The ambiance of crystal chandeliers mixed with hardwood and mounted Pickerel has to be experienced firsthand.

Paul and Susan both appreciate all who voted for them for Prince Albert’s Best Nightlife Venue, and they hope that their customers know they genuinely appreciate their business and support.  For private bookings, please call them directly and keep them in mind for your holiday dinners!

Call 306 -763-2666 for reservations

Facebook

Phone: 306 -763-2666

Hours:
Monday-Thursday 9:00 – 9:00
Friday 9:00 -12:00am
Saturday 10:00am -12:00am

Address:
903 Central Avenue