True North Begins Work on Abbeydale Ballroom: A New Era for the Picture House Basement

True North Brew Co. is excited to officially announce the launch of stage one of the Abbeydale Picture House restoration – and with it, a brand-new identity for the basement venue: Abbeydale Ballroom.

This striking new name nods to the building’s glamorous past while setting the stage for its vibrant future. The Abbeydale Ballroom will encompass multiple interconnected spaces: the former ballroom (most recently the Shuffle Shack), the central room with small cinema space, and the bar, diner, and terrace area.

With heaps of work ahead and a short timeframe, the True North team is now on-site and underway, aiming for an autumn 2025 opening. The space will be reimagined as an inclusive, social, and dynamic destination – open day-to-day and serving up pool, sports, drinks, food, and events all under one magnificent roof.

“This is where it really begins,” says Kane Yeardly, owner of True North. “Abbeydale Ballroom is the first space we’ll reopen, and it’s going to set the tone for everything that follows within Abbeydale Picture House. It’s ambitious, but we’re all in.”

Planning approvals and heritage restrictions mean every detail must be carefully considered, but True North is moving forward with confidence. Work is focused on restoring original features while layering in a bold, modern design approach.

The team will continue to share progress updates in the coming weeks, including sneak peeks of designs, entertainment announcements, and the all-important grand opening date.

The countdown to the Ballroom has begun – and it’s going to be one hell of an entrance.