Ghost in the Kitchen at the Cork and Fin

First Posted November 29th, 2014

Earlier this week, I met up with a long-time friend for dinner at the Cork and Fin restaurant in Gaoler’s Mews (221 Carrall Street). I arrived early and ahead of my friend, and was greeted at the door by our server for the evening. “Come in and sit with the ghosts,” he said with a laugh, referring to the fact that I was the first customer of the evening and all of the tables were empty.

“Well, the place is haunted,” I said. I told him about my interest in ghosts and my Ghosts of Vancouver website. We were both amused by the coincidence that his greeting had raised. I then asked him whether he had had any personal experiences with ghosts in the restaurant.

“No, I haven’t,” he admitted, “but you should chat with the guy behind the bar.” He pointed to a young Asian fellow setting things up on the other side of the counter, who raised his head when he overheard his colleague mention him to me. I made my way over to the bar, introduced myself and gave him a Ghosts of Vancouver business card.

The bartender was very friendly and open about what he had experienced about a month earlier, in October (2014). He told me that one night at around 10:30 p.m., he was in the kitchen at the back of the restaurant cleaning up. He was the only person back there at the time, and a colleague was working in the customer area in the front. As he was standing at a counter working, he felt the distinct impression of someone brushing past him. “You know the slight breeze you feel when someone walks by you?” he said. “That’s what I felt.” But, when he looked to see who it was, there was no one there. “I’ve got goose bumps just telling you about it!” he said while showing me his arms. “Then all of a sudden,” he continued, “all of the lights in the kitchen and up the nearby stairs went out. And the flame on the gas stove went out, too.” Stunned by what had happened at the time, he made his way to the front of the restaurant to tell his colleague about it. He had only been up front for a few seconds when all of the lights in the kitchen and back area came on again.

At this point in my conversation with the bartender, my friend arrived. For her benefit, the bartender repeated his story. A female server also joined in on the conversation and told us about how, a few years ago, the owner of the restaurant was in the back of the customer area when he witnessed a wine glass levitate above a table and, while in mid-air, move of its own accord.

Overall, I was fascinated to hear these stories as they’re further corroboration of what other employees of restaurants in Gaoler’s Mews have experienced over the years. And, I must add that my friend and I very much enjoyed our meal and the hospitality of the friendly and easy-going staff at the Cork and Fin. I’ll definitely be back there again soon for more great food and, hopefully, updates on the ghostly goings on there.

If you’ve worked at the Cork and Fin or any other business in Gaoler’s Mews (or anywhere else in Vancouver, for that matter) and have had a paranormal experience while there, please tell me your story here in the blog or, if you’d prefer, by clicking on the Contact link, above. I’d love to hear from you. Genuine stories only, please!