The Alex P. Keaton was one of the most beloved bars in London ON, known for its amazing and diverse beer selection, its fabulous sweet potato frites, and the warm and hardworking staff and management. It closed its doors in March 2009, and since that time people have been speculating as to the future of the establishment, wondering if the owners of the APK were going to reopen the bar, and if so, when? In early 2010 Marc Gammal, one of the core owners announced that the APK would be returning as “APK Live”. He promised “a new and exciting direction. New and exciting music and art. New and exciting beer and food. But don't worry...It won't be completely foreign. There will be some familiar acts and artists. Some familiar drinks and eats. Some familiar faces. And that familiar feeling of being at home in an awesome party--or at a party in your awesome new home.” The over 1000-strong Facebook group for APK Live has been rejoicing and anticipating this new embodiment since this announcement.
In between then and now APK Live has continued to engage the public by holding an “Easter APK Hunt” to see who would be the first to guess where the new venue for the establishment would be, with the winner gaining free cover and line bypass for a year for them self and up to three guests. This was followed up by the announcement of “APK Arts”, a way of promoting art in the city. Details for these events and other APK Live related information can be found on the APK Live Facebook group. APK Live has made it clear that they want to be involved in the city and make it a better place. I got the chance to speak with Marc Gammal earlier this year so that we could get the scoop on APK Live and what patrons can expect.
The first thing that Londoners are probably wondering is why the APK closed in the first place.
Marc says “We closed the doors to give us an opportunity to re-evaluate our brand - especially with respect to how we were serving our customers and our ability to meet our commitment to the various talents that graced our stage. Also, we wanted to explore real possibilities for growth - where the old site presented significant challenges - as I'm sure you and other patrons experienced. We always believed that we would re-open and came close a couple of times.”
APK Live is owned and operated by “a village”...”we have my mom and dad and my huge family who supports me unconditionally, Jeff David, Sonya Gammal, Roe Sivanandan, Matthew Sang, Aleco Gammal, Adil Ahmed, Ryan Ollson, Andrew Fleet, and Elaine Knight of LifePaths Global Alliance (a not-for-profit in London), Joe Swan, and many others. Marc notes that there are probably several people he is leaving out and that the list is going to continue evolving as APK Live fosters new relationships.
Why “APK Live”? What made you decide to bring back the Alex P. Keaton brand in the form of APK Live?
Considering the changes and new experiences over the past year and a half we felt it was necessary to focus on our core community and business, which was LIVE EVENTS - music, arts and entertainment. As such we felt a need to tie back into a brand that was vital in London yet still recognize the growth and changes by committing to a rebranding vision.
What type of venue will APK Live be?
APK Live will be a cutting edge live venue in downtown London - what we were known for at the old place. We will introduce and provide opportunities for local, provincial, and national talents as well as a stage for their creativity, a community gathering spot where artisan and intellectual debate will hopefully rage. An opportunity for all to party and engage in a safe space atmosphere where the underlying tenets are neighbourly values and an acceptance of all walks of life in the city are respected.
Will APK Live still have awesome food and drinks?
APK Kitchens is about local, healthy, innovative food complementing the live venue. The bar will consist of sophisticated and well-researched libations in both beer and cocktail formats. Both the APK Kitchens and APK Bar menus will be developed by local Londoners.
Will APK Live be acquiring its food from local sources?
Yes - we are toying with a 50-100 km philosophy and have already started to establish relationships with local suppliers. Currently the menu is being worked on by the original menu developers of the first gastro menu at the old pub - Jeff David and Sonya Gammal.
Why open (or reopen) a cool venue in London? What draws you to open a venue in a city like London?
I am a Londoner and I believe in London as a city and as a fostering place for the arts - this is a reality considering the incredibly talented and creative people I meet from London everywhere I go in Canada. When I was growing up I always envisioned a place like The Alex P. Keaton - now APK Live. It was amazing to make it happen and I so look forward to making it happen again.
We think that London is misunderstood in its capacity to embrace the creative class. In fact, from our experience at the old place [The Alex P. Keaton] of nearly 5 years, we know firsthand that talents from across Ontario, Canada and internationally were very excited about playing in London to the London enthusiastic crowd.
We believe that London is a place that requires partnerships and collaborations of various peoples and like organizations to provide opportunities for the creative class to have an outlet for their creativity. We have and continue to see a large number of very talented people who are going to turn the current perceptions of London on its head. We want to provide these revolutionaries a place or a Living Room to do that. We recognize that there are still challenges and that we need to work together to continue to promote arts and culture in London. We're hoping that we'll play a part in that.
And finally, the question everyone has been waiting for, when does APK Live open?
APK Live will be opening on September 23rd 2010 with musical acts Bruce Peninsula, Forest City Lovers, and Handsome Dan and His Gallimaufry to pack the house.
However, there will be several chances to preview the venue and whet Londoner’s appetites starting on September 10th, 2010 with A Horse and His Boy, Wild Domestic, and Krupke, and the next night on the 11th Brian Jesney will be holding an art show after party there. And last but not least, APK Live is also involved with this year’s LOLA Festival, and will be hosting musical acts “Bang the Party” and “The Makeover” on September 18th 2010.
