bar isabel

Popular Toronto restaurant closing early so staff can rest

Starting November 8, Toronto's Bar Isabel won't be open until 2 a.m. seven days a week. Instead, it'll close at midnight Sunday through Thursday. Why, you may ask? To give both kitchen and front-of-house staff time to rest.

"It's not because we're not busy, it's not financial," says owner Grant van Gameren in a YouTube video. "The only reason why we're doing this is for the quality of life for the staff."

The short clip features Bar Isabel staff reacting positively to this change. Some say they've ended shifts as late (or as early) as 7:30 a.m. While the restaurant will close by midnight for most of the week, it'll still be open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

But don't worry because there are still plenty of late night restaurants in the area. Bar Isabel staff recommend Oddseoul, People's Eatery, Taste of China and of course, Bar Raval.

Watch the full video below.

Do you commend Bar Isabel for closing earlier to give staff a break? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by dvn.s in the theGentries Flickr pool.


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