The Black Bear Neighbourhood Pub opened its doors for business very quietly, on February 9, 1997, and an increasing number of bear-loving customers have been crossing the threshold ever since.

Situated at 1177 Lynn Valley Road, by the busy Lynn Valley Centre, the Black Bear is the brainchild of two experienced and respected Publicans, Dave Raht [deceased], and Ron Slinger. They built, owned, and operated the Queens Cross Neighbourhood Pub for 17 years before selling in the summer of 1996.

Built as a turn-of-the-century Craftsman-style home frequently seen in Lynn Valley, the Black Bear nestles in a corner where its nutmeg-colored siding blends in beautifully with the natural setting. As Ron Slinger puts it, "We wanted our building to fit in with the area and I think we clearly achieve just that."

There's a heritage-style verandah, with its own large stone fireplace, plus additional outdoor heating. From the verandah, you can view some of the local mountains, keep an eye on who's coming-and-going where or doing what at the local mall, or even watch a bit of TV.

For those with a little flutter in mind, the Black Bear was the first North Shore pub to offer Club Keno. In fact, there's not much in the way of entertainment that you won't find at the Black Bear Neighbourhood Pub.