Phog Lounge holds pub funeral procession [Video]

In a move signalling the beginning of a new era, staff and patrons carried Phog Lounge’s approximately 400-pound mosaic bar top through the downtown.

Beginning at their iconic University Avenue home, about 40 “crawl bearers” took turns lifting the bar by attached rope handles.

Led by Phog Lounge Owner Tom Lucier, the crawl stopped at nearby bars for a drink before travelling down Ouellette Avenue. The bar top travelled about two kilometres to its new home on Erie Street, near Howard Avenue.

“We amended it to crawl bearer. I think this is likely the first bar crawl ever with where the participants bring their own,” Lucier told CTV News.

The Phog Lounge is moving after more than 20 years downtown. Lucier said a new home will provide warm bathrooms and lower rent and hydro costs.

Rather than hiring a moving team, Lucier felt their move provided an opportunity to “break …