Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar.

What Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar. does

Hy's Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar is a Canadian, family-owned steakhouse chain founded in 1955, operating five wholly owned locations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and Whistler. The chain positions itself in the premium segment of the Canadian dining market, serving multi-generational repeat customers, business clientele and tourists with a core menu built around Canada Prime steaks aged a minimum of 28 days, including an exclusive Black Angus rib eye sourced via a partnership with Black Apron, plus a program of classic cocktails and proprietary wines that includes a co-developed '18-six-18' blend with BC-based Road 13 Vineyards. The company has 51-100 employees across its locations and reports unusually long staff tenure, with employees exceeding 30 years of service, supported by a stated practice of above-market wages.

Hy's makes money primarily through in-restaurant dining revenue at its five owned units, augmented by private events, gift card sales (via Givex), merchandise and beverage programs. The 2019 opening of an 18,000 sq ft Toronto flagship on King Street West, seating 350+, represents its largest revenue-generating unit. The chain employs a standard full-service restaurant operating model with table service, reservations through OpenTable, private event booking through TripleSeat and iWineLists for beverage management. There is no franchise or licensing exposure; all locations are company owned and operated. Customer acquisition is principally organic, driven by brand heritage, repeat patronage and word-of-mouth rather than performance marketing.

The business is currently controlled by Neil Aisenstat, President and CEO, and Rob Macdonald, following the 2018 ownership transition after the death of John Aisenstat. Strategic activity in the period observed has centered on the Toronto real estate repositioning (Adelaide closure in late 2018 followed by the King Street flagship in October 2019) and on brand and product extensions such as the Road 13 wine collaboration, anniversary partnerships and the John Aisenstat Memorial Scholarship program. No equity capital has been raised and no acquisition activity is disclosed; the operating posture is best characterized as heritage-brand stewardship with selective menu and beverage innovation rather than active expansion.

Name

Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar.

Legal name

Hy's Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar

Website

https://hyssteakhouse.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Hy's Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar is a Canadian, family-owned premium steakhouse chain founded in 1955, operating five wholly owned locations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and Whistler and serving multi-generational repeat customers with aged Canada Prime steaks, proprietary wine collaborations and classic cocktails.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fine Dining Steakhouse

NAICS

Full-Service Restaurants (722511), Food Services and Drinking Places (722)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Retail-Eating Places (5812)

akta.pro primary industry

Steakhouses & Seafood Restaurants (THAFACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fine Dining Restaurants (THAFACAA), Hotel & Resort Restaurants (THAFACAH), Wine Bars (THAFAEAF)

Keywords

• Fine dining steakhouse
• Canada Prime beef
• Tableside service dining
• Private dining events
• Steakhouse restaurant chain

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Restaurant Dining: Revenue from food and beverage sales at 5 owned restaurant locations. Covers lunch, dinner, lounge, cocktail bar, and happy hour periods.
2. Private Event Hosting: Revenue from hosting private and semi-private events — corporate functions, celebrations, fundraisers — with customized menus and dedicated event management.
3. Gift Cards: Sale of physical and digital gift cards. Never expire. Available online and at all locations.
4. Merchandise and Brand Licensing: Sale of commemorative glassware and branded merchandise tied to anniversary celebrations and events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Hy's Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar operates five owned fine dining restaurants across Canada serving Canada Prime Grade steaks aged a minimum of 28 days, fresh seafood, and signature items like tableside Caesar salad, Cheese Toast, and Chateaubriand. Each location offers a main dining room, cocktail and wine bar, private dining rooms, and Happy Hour programming, complemented by an award-winning wine list and rare whisky collection.

Product overview

Hy's Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar is a Canadian fine dining restaurant chain offering premium steakhouse experiences across five locations. The core offering centers on Canada Prime Grade steaks aged 28+ days, prepared tableside when ordered, complemented by fresh seafood, signature dishes (Cheese Toast, tableside Caesar Salad, Steak Diane), and an award-winning cocktail and wine program. The dining experience spans main dining rooms, cocktail and wine bars, and private event spaces. Add-on services include Happy Hour promotions, live music entertainment, and gift card programs. The company also operates a charitable scholarship initiative supporting hospitality education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gotham Steakhouse & Bar: A related steakhouse brand operated by Hy's of Canada alongside Hy's Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar locations.

Products and services

• Fine Dining Experience Full-service fine dining featuring Canada Prime Grade steaks aged a minimum of 28 days grilled to order, fresh seafood, classic steakhouse fare, and signature items like tableside Caesar Salad, Cheese Toast, and Chateaubriand. Served to individual diners in main dining rooms across five Canadian locations.
• Private Dining & Events Private and semi-private event spaces available at all five locations for business meetings, weddings, milestone celebrations, corporate events, and fundraisers. Each venue offers dedicated private rooms with AV capabilities, private bars, and customized menus managed by dedicated Private Dining Managers and the TripleSeat event booking platform.
• Gift Cards Digital and physical gift cards available for purchase online via the Givex platform and in-restaurant at all locations. Gift cards never expire and are redeemable at Hy's and Gotham locations across Canada.
• Cocktail & Wine Bar Standalone cocktail and wine bar program featuring classic and contemporary cocktails, premium spirits, a rare whisky collection (including The Macallan M, Time:Space, Benromach 40 Year, Yamazaki 18 Year), and an award-winning wine list curated by sommeliers and recognized by Wine Spectator at all five locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hy's Vancouver named Vancouver Magazine Best Steakhouse Gold — multiple years including 2016, 2018, and 2019
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Castello Banfi CellarscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 May 2026Partnership with Italian wine producer Castello Banfi Cellars for the 4th Annual John Aisenstat Memorial Fundraiser in Calgary, themed 'La Dolce Vita.' Event featured Italian-inspired hors d'oeuvres and wine pairings curated with Castello Banfi wines. Partnership supports the SAIT John Aisenstat Memorial Scholarship endowment.
• The GlenlivetflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 July 2025Partnership with The Glenlivet whisky brand to celebrate Hy's 70th anniversary. The Glenlivet Whisky Dinner Experience grand prize was a private whisky-paired dinner for six at Hy's, featuring Canada Prime beef, Pacific Northwest Sablefish, Northern Divine Caviar, Atlantic Lobster paired with The Glenlivet whisky. Assistant Corporate Chef Armand Savet created a custom menu incorporating Glenlivet into each dish.
• Vancouver Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2025VCC is the original partner for the John Aisenstat Memorial Scholarship (est. 2019) for students in Culinary Arts and Hospitality programs. Annual fundraising events at Gotham Steakhouse & Bar support the endowment. As of 2026, the total endowment has grown substantially through annual events (raised $16,675 in 2026, ~$14K in 2025, $13,700 in 2024, over $13,000 in 2023).
• Corby's DistillersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 May 2025Event sponsor for the 2025 Winnipeg patio party supporting the RRC Polytech John Aisenstat Memorial Award. Contributed spirits for the event.
• Denardi, The Pourium, International Wine Cellars, Calabria Market and Fine Wine, Nonsuch Brewing Co.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 May 2025Event sponsors for the 2025 Winnipeg patio party supporting RRC Polytech John Aisenstat Memorial Award. Range from wine, spirits, and food suppliers to craft brewery.
• Roku Gin (Beam Suntory)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 June 2024Roku Gin featured at the 2024 SAIT John Aisenstat Memorial Fundraiser at Hy's Calgary. Event included Roku Gin cocktails and tastings alongside Hy's appetizers, raising $4,600 for the SAIT endowment.
• Beam Suntory (Roku Gin)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 January 2024Beam Suntory provided Roku Gin for the 2024 VCC John Aisenstat Memorial Scholarship fundraiser. Cocktail tastings featuring Roku Gin were a centerpiece of the event.
• Clase AzulminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 April 2023Clase Azul tequila featured at the 2023 VCC John Aisenstat Memorial Scholarship fundraiser. Over 125 attendees sampled Clase Azul tequila alongside Hy's hors d'oeuvres, with 100% of proceeds supporting the scholarship endowment.
• SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023SAIT is the Calgary partner for the John Aisenstat Memorial Award (added 2023), supporting students in Culinary Arts and Hospitality and Tourism Management programs. The 2026 fundraiser brought the total endowment to nearly $32,000. 2024 event raised $4,600. 2026 recipient: Mingyao Wang (Culinary Arts).
• Red River College Polytech (RRC Polytech)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023RRC Polytech is the Winnipeg partner for the John Aisenstat Memorial Award for students entering the second year of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Restaurant Management diploma programs with high academic standing and financial need. 2025 patio party raised $6,700 for the endowment. 2025 recipient: Isaiah Sanchez (culinary student).
• George Brown College (Toronto)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023George Brown College is the Toronto partner for the John Aisenstat Memorial Award (added 2023), supporting students studying Culinary Management or Food and Beverage Management — Restaurant Management programs.
• Road 13 VineyardscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 December 2018Hy's collaborated with Road 13 Vineyards to create a proprietary red wine blend named '18-six-18' (for blend date June 18). A Bordeaux-style blend using 46% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% Merlot from Similkameen Valley, with petit Verdot and Malbec. After 5 iterations, the blend was finalized and bottled exclusively for Hy's Vancouver, Whistler, and Gotham Steakhouse & Bar locations. This is a unique product not available elsewhere.
• Black AproncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2016Hy's partnered exclusively with Black Apron to offer an exclusive Black Angus rib steak — certified Black Angus, raised without antibiotics or added hormones, free-roaming from ranches in Alberta and BC. Hy's is the only restaurant chain offering this hand-selected cut, featured in 20oz and 32oz portions. Raised on natural prairie grass and barley-based vegetarian feed.
• OpenTablecoreTechnology or IntegrationOpenTable is the online reservation platform integrated into hy's website for table reservations across all 5 locations. OpenTable sends confirmation emails and SMS to guests. Hy's collects personal information from OpenTable when guests make reservations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Capital Grille: Upscale steakhouse chain specializing in dry-aged steaks, an award-winning wine list (Wine Spectator Grand Award), and private dining. Overlapping fine-dining steakhouse positioning and beverage program depth make this a strong peer.
• Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group: Premium American steakhouse operator known for dry-aged USDA Prime steaks and classic steakhouse experience. Comparable to Hy's in heritage positioning and tableside preparation traditions.
• Ruth's Chris Steak House: American premium steakhouse chain serving sizzling Prime steaks in upscale dining rooms. Closest US comparable to Hy's in terms of menu positioning (premium aged Prime beef), tableside service, and event/private dining focus.
• The Keg Steakhouse + Bar: Canada's largest steakhouse chain with locations across the country. Directly comparable to Hy's as a Canadian premium steakhouse brand with similar target customer (affluent diners, business entertainment) and overlapping geographic footprint.
• Morton's The Steakhouse: Iconic American upscale steakhouse chain known for USDA Prime steaks, power dining, and private dining rooms. Comparable to Hy's in classic steakhouse format, corporate client focus, and multi-city footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Earls Kitchen + Bar: Large Canadian full-service restaurant chain offering premium casual dining with steakhouse-style items. Broader menu and more accessible price points than Hy's, but competes for upscale casual dining occasions in overlapping Canadian markets.
• Cactus Club Cafe: Premium Canadian casual dining chain led by celebrity chef Rob Feenie. Competes with Hy's for upscale occasions in major Canadian cities but operates at a lower price point with broader menu.

Emerging players

• Black + Blue Restaurant: Vancouver-based modern steakhouse offering dry-aged Canadian Prime beef and a curated cocktail program. Comparable premium positioning with similar tableside and atmosphere focus in the BC market.
• Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse: Toronto-based luxury steakhouse known for dry-aged in-house cuts and an extensive wine list. Comparable in premium positioning and urban financial-district clientele, though single-location versus Hy's multi-city footprint.

Regional players

• St-Hubert Restaurant: Iconic Quebec-based rotisserie restaurant chain with limited presence in Ontario and Western Canada. Regional competitor in the Canadian full-service dining category, though positioned more toward casual family dining than Hy's premium steakhouse niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Hys_Steakhouse
• Facebookfacebook.com/hyssteakhouse
• Instagraminstagram.com/hyssteakhouse

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar.