Residents and visitors in Stratford, Ontario, will have a new venue for dining and social gatherings when Betty’s Wine Bar opens its doors on May 15, 2026. The establishment, located in the downtown core, is a project supported by the Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area.
The new wine bar is owned by Jennifer Birmingham, who also owns The Bruce and serves as the Treasurer on the board for the downtown business association. The project is a personal tribute to Birmingham’s late mother, Betty Birmingham, who was well known for her dedication to the Canadian wheelchair tennis community alongside her late husband, Bruce. The family donated more than $2 million to the sport, and the national championships were renamed the Birmingham National Wheelchair Tennis Championships in their honour.
In keeping with this tribute, the bar features a whimsical retro tennis theme, with staff wearing white polos and tennis skirts. The business is managed by Michelle Baril, who has worked in catering and events at The Bruce for nearly two years. Baril has hand-selected an international wine list featuring bottles from France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Croatia, and Chile that are not available at the LCBO.
The space includes a backyard patio with room for 16 guests on the deck, with future plans to add seating on the lawn. Starting May 15, the bar will operate Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with plans to adjust hours to accommodate post-theatre crowds. The downtown business association, which represents approximately 320 businesses, noted that this opening adds to the variety of hospitality options available in the local area.
