Bellinis Sonic Lounge and Longriders Saloon permanently closing this Saturday. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

Last Dance

Two local nightclubs permanently close this Saturday; 40 year history in Red Deer

Jan 18, 2023 | 10:32 AM

The questioned loomed for quite some time, “When will the last nightclubs in Red Deer be closing?” The answer has arrived and it’s this Saturday.

Last week, the connecting Bellinis Sonic Lounge and Longriders Saloon (3310 50th Ave) announced on their social media platforms that they would be closing their doors on Saturday, January 21.

“Bellinis Management would like to acknowledge all of our employees. This team of amazing people are working against all odds to ensure your Last Dance will be one to remember. Their dedication, honor, and loyalty, to the last remaining night clubs is truly outstanding. To our team, this is not just a Bar, but a family,” club officials wrote on their Facebook page.

Both clubs have gone through several name changes over the years.

Formerly known as “Mort’s”, the night club has since been named Bellinis Sonic Lounge for the past 20 years, playing predominantly pop and dance music.

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Next door, “Billy Bob’s” established itself as a country dance club 40 years ago in 1982 before changing its name to “Longriders Saloon” in 2019.

“Our staff over the years has had the pleasure of serving generations of customers,” the club wrote on their Facebook page. “From the one nighters, to the all weekenders, the farmers, ranchers, rodeo cowboys, regulars, college students, and guests we served from around the world. Thank you!”

The Saloon was known for their line dancing and two stepping atmosphere alongside other well-known events, like on Wednesdays, for example.

Both located on the east side of the former Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre, the permanent closings of the clubs have been in connection to the changes under the hotel’s new ownership by O’Chiese Hospitality Limited Partnership in 2020.

READ: Red Deer’s Cambridge hotel under new ownership

The hotel recently changed their name, website and outdoor signage to read the “Red Deer Resort & Casino”.

The property was originally known as the “Capri Motor Inn” in the 1960s before being purchased by the Pasutto family a few years later and renamed the “Capri Hotel and Convention Centre” with numerous restaurant and club openings, including Billy Bob’s.

“To the Pasutto family, please know how much you changed the lives of so many, in a small town bar named Billy Bob’s,” said Longriders on their Facebook page.

In 2008, the hotel was then bought out and rebranded as a Sheraton Hotel before being rebranded again as the Cambridge Hotel & Conference Centre in 2019.

READ: Sheraton rebranded as Cambridge Hotel & Conference Centre

One recent and major change to the hotel is the relocation of Red Deer’s downtown Jackpot Casino (4950 47 Ave), also owned by The Partnership, to the hotel’s Special Event’s Centre. The development permit to do so was given in October 2022. No other update has been made for this project.

READ: Appeal withdrawn for casino relocation due to “significant backlash”

The fate of what the nightclubs once were may soon be demolishment. According to the City of Red Deer, The Partnership applied for a development permit in October 2022, which was recently approved with conditions, and is now awaiting a building permit, as both are required for demolition.

City officials confirmed that similar nightclubs and drinking establishments can open in the future. Locations would have to meet land use approvals and follow specific bylaws and conditions.

Both Bellinis Sonic Lounge and Longriders Saloon will open their doors at 7 p.m. on Saturday for their last dances.

rdnewsNOW reached out to The Partnership, the Red Deer Resort & Casino, Bellinis Sonic Lounge, and Longriders Saloon who refused to comment.