The Huether Hotel is a building of Canadian national historic significance in Waterloo. Originally, a commercial hotel to Waterloo's first brewery, it served as a hotel and storage area for its sister brewery, a source of alcohol during Canadian prohibition and eventually a cafe, restaurant and pub. It remains an architectural feature and gathering spot for uptown Waterloo.
History
A drive through Waterloo Park to Barley Works - Amanda Maxwell and I take a drive through Waterloo Park talking about things to do in Kitchener Waterloo and Cambridge. We visit Barley Works at the Huether Hotel to have a snack and check...
The original building was started in 1855 by Wilhelm Rebscher, the original owner of the land in the area and operator of Waterloo's first brewery, the Lion Brewery which sits just north of the hotel. The brewery and hotel were bought by a father and son, Christopher and Adam Huether, both of whom worked in the brewery in 1856 when Rebscher died. The building and brewery were both expanded over the next 40 years, digging several caverns and tunnels under the hotel for storage. A Victorian facade was also added to the building in 1880.
The hotel changed hands to Theresa Kuntz in 1899 when Christopher Huether died then to Albert Snyder in 1934 and the Adly family in 1953. Between 1934 and 1987, the premises where named the Kent Hotel, to attract a richer crowd.
Current business
"The Huether", no longer operates as a hotel but as a restaurant (Lion Brewery Restaurant), pub (Barley Works Pub and Grill) and cafe (Cafe 1842). The Lion brewery, continues to operate (and supply the restaurant) from next door.
The Huether during prohibition
In 1961, the Waterloo Works Department, found a hole in a street adjacent the property and unwittingly unearthed a cavern and tunnel that had been dug out west of the Huether that is believed to have served as storage during prohibition, although the cavern itself likely dates to the Huether ownership during the late 19th century. Further excavations in 1981 also found foundations from a previous Malt house and Masonic lodge. The entire area was used to create room for the restaurant that is now on site.
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