People heading to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium may get a taste of something new. A ribbon cutting and soft opening celebration was held for a new sports bar at The Aud. Club 51 has been set up in the space formerly occupied by the Subscribers Lounge, just outside the Dom Cardillo Arena doors. The City of Kitchener says the name is a nod to the year The Aud opened, 1951. The space is adorned with jerseys, photographs and even a phalanx of hockey sticks hanging high overhead. There is seating for 120 guests and the menu includes pub fare and local craft beer. The opening comes after Kitchener City Council approved spending $2 million to reimagine the 2,300 square foot space back in May 2025. The Rolleman Restaurant Group, an organization that oversees The Galt Club and the Imperial Restaurant in New Hamburg, was chosen as the operator for the new restaurant. Tuesday’s opening ceremonies come as the Kitchener Rangers prepare for their home opener on Friday.
