Bad Tattoo Kelowna location sold to Salt & Brick Group

Photo: Facebook

Kelowna's Bad Tattoo is under new ownership.

The popular restaurant and brew pub in the city's brewery district on Clement Avenue has been sold to the Salt & Brick Group of restaurants.

The sale became official last Friday.

James Addington, co-owner of the new property, says the sale happened quickly over the last couple of weeks.

It comes just weeks after Yellow Dog Brewing purchased Bad Tattoo's Penticton operation.

“We are huge fans of the beer and pizza that Bad Tattoo has long been known for and we are incredibly excited to take over operations of an almost brand new restaurant/bar space in one of Kelowna’s fastest growing areas,” said Addington.

Addington says the brew pub will stay with the Bad Tattoo name and continue to sell Bad Tattoo beers until the end of April.

At that time, he says the location will close for a brief refresh and rebrand and reopen under a new name.

They will no longer sell the Bad Tattoo products upon reopening.

"We didn't purchase the brand Bad Tattoo, that wasn't what was for sale, and we are not brewers...we're restaurateurs," he said.

"I want to make sure we collaborate with Yellow Dog down south and they are already working on some things, if it be a beer that is similar or the same recipe as Bad Tattoo."

Once the restaurant reopens, Addington says it will be rebranded as a high-end sports bar.

"There isn't really a sports bar on that side of town and, really, in Kelowna I think there is a bit of a niche in missing a sports bar in general.

"Ours will speak to what we are about is local and fresh. Our beers will be local wherever possible and obviously our wines will be local whenever possible."

The purchase price was not disclosed.