Guelph’s music scene wouldn’t be possible without some of the amazing venues that host live music throughout the week. In 2024, Which Craft officially opened it’s doors as a live event venue with a great selection of drink and food. Mike Woodley knew he wanted to host events throughout the week and be known as a great place to catch a show, and he hasn’t disappointed. Which Craft hosts two karaoke nights, and open mic night, and has a solid line up of local live music happening every weekend.

What’s the history of Which Craft? When did you open and what was the vision for the bar?

I was one of the last bartenders working at Sip Club when it closed down. I loved the vibe there, especially the live music, and I wanted to preserve that spirit while creating something new. As a fan of dad jokes, I’m all about wordplay. One day, while driving home from a friend’s house, I found myself thinking, “What would I call this place?” Since I knew we’d be serving craft beer, I asked myself, “Which craft beer would you like?” The phrase sounded a lot like “witchcraft,” and I thought it was the perfect play on words. That’s when the name Which Craft came to life.

Has live music always been a big part of the experience at Which Craft?

Live music has been a core part of Which Craft since day one. With a degree in musical theatre, I was able to use my knowledge to redesign the stage, add theatre curtains, and ensure the sight lines to the stage remained clear. I also made sure to install brand-new equipment to provide the best sound quality possible. The room itself has incredible acoustics, making it the perfect space for live performances.

What are some memorable shows that you’ve hosted?

A few of our most memorable shows include The Friendly Frogs Freak Show (they’ve performed for us three times now), The Flamingos who hosted their afterparty at Which Craft and invited me to sing a song with them, and just recently, we had Miss Moço from Season 3 of Canada’s Drag Race perform at our monthly drag show.

Any upcoming bands that you’re excited to see?

Long Range Hustle will be at Which Craft on March 21, The Howling Gales will take the stage on March 22, and Free Under Fire will perform on March 28, just to name a few. We’re fortunate to have so many incredible bands play here every week, and I’m honestly excited for each and every one of them.

Where can people find out more about Which Craft?

You can find us on Facebook and Instagram and on our website at whichcraftguelph.ca.