When Vancouver’s Katie Sketch and Jenny Smyth split from Smiths-obsessed indie hopefuls the Organ, they certainly didn’t expect to end up running a bar in Toronto. But that’s what the musical duo have been doing since last November, when they opened the Henhouse (1532 Dundas West, at Dufferin, 416-534-5939) on a whim.
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Formerly a nondescript Vietnamese eatery, the bare-bones room is outfitted with Goodwill cast-offs and a jukebox loaded with an eclectic mix that runs from Dionne Warwick to Sleater-Kinney.
You’ll recognize regulars like Gentleman Reg and members of both Broken Social Scene and Hidden Cameras bellying up to the bar while nibbling No Frills vegetarian nachos ($10) and grilled cheese sandwiches ($5). A $10 all-you-can-eat pancake brunch available Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm, including bacon, hash browns and fruit salad, has also just been introduced.
Now that Sketch and Smyth are out of the limelight, do they ever miss the music scene?
“Life on the road can be gruelling,” laughs Sketch. “Running a club’s hard work, too, but at least I get to go home every night.”
