A new restaurant is bringing live music and late-night energy to the heart of Winnipeg Beach just in time for summer.
Midnight Annie’s Beach Bar and Grill is set to open this May on the town’s iconic boardwalk, offering food, drinks and a stage for local talent in the building that once housed Valentino’s and Shenanigan’s.
Midnight Annie’s Beach Bar and Grill will open at 46 Main St., in the building formerly home to Valentino’s and most recently Shenanigan’s. The revamped space will offer karaoke nights, jam sessions and performances by musicians and bands, aiming to be a gathering spot for locals and visitors alike.
Kim Baryluk, owner of Treble’s Beach Bar and Grill, has long eyed the larger location for its potential. When the opportunity came to purchase the building, she jumped at it.
“I’m so excited because it’s nice and big,” she said, adding that Midnight Annie’s will be able to hold 75 more patrons than Treble’s. “I’ve always wanted to bring music into town but that’s harder to accomplish with Treble’s.”
Baryluk’s vision for the new venue is rooted in her family history. Her European relatives, many of whom immigrated to Canada during the Great Depression and world wars, were known for their colourful personalities and nicknames—like Great Uncle Mousy and Monkey Mary’s daughter.
One story that stuck with Baryluk was about a woman her grandmother referred to as Midnight Annie.
“I always thought the name sounded exciting,” she said.
In her imagination, Midnight Annie became a mermaid-like figure, inspired by Denmark’s Little Mermaid statue, perched under the moonlight with a cocktail in hand. That image became both the name and logo of her new venture.
Baryluk is aiming for a May long weekend opening but said there’s still plenty of work ahead. She’s been deep-cleaning the space and is now turning her attention to renovations and finalizing the menu.
A sample menu shared on social media shows breakfast being served from 7 to 11 a.m., with offerings like pancakes, French toast, potato pancakes, skillets and a classic breakfast. Lunch items include seasonal salads, a club sandwich, fish, chicken or shrimp tacos, and burgers. The working dinner menu—available until 10 p.m.—features dishes such as pan-fried pike, bistro steak frites, chicken souvlaki and marinara linguini. A late-night bites menu and cocktail list are also in the works.
The space will host local performers, open mic and karaoke nights, and open jam sessions. Baryluk plans to hang instruments on the walls for anyone to use, and she intends to keep the restaurant open late to give the community more evening entertainment options.
“I want it to be a really cool place with a great atmosphere,” she said, noting she’ll be bringing in new management and guest chefs on select nights.
Midnight Annie’s will also offer senior specials on certain days and will stay open year-round.
Baryluk is confident the new spot will open for the May long weekend. If not, it will be ready in time for the high season.
