The Bala Falls Pub & Pizza

The building now housing The Bala Falls Pub & Pizza has served the community of Bala for well over a hundred years, albeit under different names and with varying offerings. Local lore suggests a tavern or general store with an attached inn stood on this very spot as early as the late 19th century, catering to the lumberjacks, railway workers, and early tourists who frequented the burgeoning town. During the era of Prohibition in Ontario, which began in 1916 and lasted until 1927, the establishment likely operated as a 'soft drink parlor' or a 'private club,' a common workaround for serving alcohol discreetly. Patrons would have gathered for card games, conversation, and perhaps a clandestine drink or two, all while maintaining an outward appearance of legality. After the repeal, it returned to openly serving alcoholic beverages, once again becoming a vital social center. Through the mid-20th century, as Bala became an increasingly popular summer destination, the pub evolved, witnessing generations of cottagers and locals share stories, celebrate milestones, and simply enjoy a meal and a drink by the falls.