Delve inside this extraordinary local speakeasy

Crown and Thieves in West Kelowna already boasts impressive sights in and around the winery, from the paintings on the ceiling to the statues, to the portraits of outlaws and other historical figures.

However, underneath the tasting room lies their hidden gem and more picture-worthy sights – the Broken Hearts Club.

“I always wanted to put a place of my two passions together with wine and music,” owner and singer in the band Proper Man, Jason Parkes told Sarah Nick from 104.7 The Lizard.

Originally, the basement was intended for storage. But he joked that he saw it as an opportunity to live out his mid-life crisis with his best friends in their band and have a dedicated space for music.

“To make us look better, I wanted to make it more esthetically cool, and I took influence from my grandma and grandpa’s basement and put animal heads on the wall,” Parkes said.

A stage with red velvet curtains, stained glass windows, and old-fashioned rotary phones only scratch the surface of the intricate adornments of the club, and the rich history therein.

Some interior pieces Parkes got from some of the country’s top salvagers who found gems from as far as Europe. The downstairs bar is made from a 150-year-old confessional booth and many of the lamps and chandeliers are more than a century old.

The taxidermized animals, like the deer, goats, and fowl either came from his uncle who hunted or from locals donating to the club.

“Nothing is time specific; nothing is colour matched,” Parkes said. “I did that on purpose so that when people come down, they’re just confused but then excited to look around.”

Adding further intrigue, ghost hunters have not only taken interest in the property but also claim to have found a ‘bratty’ and mischievous paranormal presence there.

A banner for his band hangs above the stage and Proper Man performs on an almost weekly basis in the club. Other acts to grace Broken Hearts include magicians, other musicians, and burlesque shows.

Parkes is of English ancestry. He pointed to how the club resembles pubs across the pond and patrons have taken note of that.

His hope is that people will be so taken in by the sights that they forget about their troubles.

“It has to have an energy,” Parkes explained. “You can look at something but when you feel it, that hits harder.”