Seahorse Tavern moving from Argyle Street to the Marquee

The owner of the Seahorse Tavern, billed as one of Nova Scotia's oldest bars, is moving from its location on Argyle Street to the Marquee Ballroom on Gottingen Street.

Victor Syperek says his lease is up in downtown Halifax and he's looking to make a move.

"I am kind of sad in a way, I mean I spent a lot of time and money turning it in to what it is," he said. "A lot of people will say to me, 'How can you leave that space? And I'll say, 'When was the last time you were there?' And they kind of blush a bit and go, 'Ya you're right.' The old generation doesn't go there anymore. It's a new place as it were."

The new spot will be in the basement of the Marquee. Syperek says he'll bring over some of the Seahorse's "artifacts" and keep the sunken dance floor.

"It's a spectacular space...It will actually be very reminiscent of Seahorse," he said. "I really think Gottingen Street's time has come so that's why I'm doing this," he said.

"The main focus of the Seahorse is music. For instance we had the Arkells the other night and it sold out in five minutes. It wouldn't matter where it is. So that will continue. We're just going to have fabulous music."

He hasn't set an opening date yet.

"There's no emergency and no rush," he said. 

What happens next to the Argyle Street location, "is up to the landlords."

Syperek says the Seahorse was the first bar to open in Nova Scotia after prohibition.