New ‘Club 51’ restaurant set to open at The Aud later this summer
Posted Aug 4, 2026 04:01:56 PM.
Last Updated Aug 4, 2026 04:10:15 PM.
A new full-service restaurant at The Aud will open later this summer and the City of Kitchener has announced the name and operator.
“Following a competitive process that emphasized ‘a vibrant dining experience that celebrates local flavour while complementing The Aud’s high-energy, sports-centric atmosphere’, the Rolleman Restaurant Group was selected to operate the new Club 51 Sports Bar,” read a release from the City.
The name Club 51 aligns with the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium’s roots, as it first opened in 1951.
While no date has been announced yet, the resaurant is set to begin operating later this summer.
A grand opening will then be held Sept. 18, which is the same day the Kitchener Rangers host their home opener for the 2025/26 season.
“We are excited to welcome Club 51 to the Aud and look forward to enjoying the local food, drinks and hospitality they will bring to this incredible new community space,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “Whether hosting fans before a Rangers game, friends watching the game on the big screen, families dining out, or a couple on a date, Club 51 will see community members of all ages joining in to create great times and great memories together.”
The second-floor restaurant was remodelled from the former Subscriber’s Lounge after the $2 million renovation project was approved by city council last May.
Club 51 will have space for up to 120 guests and is said to offer elevated pub fare, local craft beer, and Ontario-made beverages.
The Rolleman Restaurant Group already has a local presence and oversees several eateries including Thirteen Food & Beverage in downtown Galt.
