On Location: The Watershed Grill on Netflix's VIRGIN RIVER
Welcome to On Location , a weekly feature spotlighting landmarks and establishments seen on screen that viewers can visit IRL. Whether you're seeking a fun selfie, breathtaking vistas, or maybe a show-accurate treat, follow along for some bucket list destinations.
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For six seasons, the lives of the Virgin River residents have enchanted and thrilled Netflix viewers. With Season 7 in production, let's take a look at one of the primary locations, Jack's Bar. While the internal spaces are shot in-studio in nearby North Vancouver, the picturesque — sometimes dramatic — external setting is provided by none other than The Watershed Grill in Brackendale, a small community inside the District of Squamish, British Columbia, Canada. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2023 The Watershed Grill on Netflix's Virgin River
Based on the Robyn Carr 21-novel series, Virgin River is Netflix's longest-running original scripted show. With its seventh season renewal (announced in October 2024), it also holds the record for the longest English-language drama produced by a streaming service. At the heart of the story (and the first novel, also titled Virgin River ) stand Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson) and Mel Monroe (Alexandra Brackenridge). Mel's arrival in Virgin River kicks off the series, while Jack is a long-time resident and business owner. His bar, simply known as Jack's Bar, serves as a hub for the community, being one of the few restaurants in town.
Jack's Bar sits on the titular river, inviting patrons to take their meals outside and enjoy the view. It appears in nearly every episode of the series. John 'Preacher' Middleton (Colin Lawrence) cooks while Ricky Sudder (Grayson Maxwell Gurnsey) bartends and serves. Until his falling out with Jack, Dan Brady (Ben Hollingsworth) also served at Jack's Bar.
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Many pivotal scenes take place at Jack's Bar. This is to be expected in a venue that provides a place and space to relax and let off steam. Furthermore, people looking to harm Jack often target Jack's Bar, poisoning the food to hurt the establishment's reputation or sending other warnings through other actions taken against the business. In Virgin River Season 2 Episode 10, 'Blown Away,' a local drug dealer puts out a hit on Jack, and the killer shoots him as he's closing up Jack's Bar. Image used with permission from https://www.instagram.com/thewatershedgrill/ #ShedHappens
As Squamish's best burger and only riverside patio, the Watershed Grill is a popular local destination with plenty of folks willing to travel to its tucked-away location at 41101 Government Rd in Brackendale. It doesn't take reservations but is open until 11pm every night of the week. Like Jack's Bar, it sits on the river, although it's the Squamish River.
Its website touts that ' our riverside patio provides the best vibes in the corridor. We use local & organic meats, serve local craft beers and offer delicious seasonal features like: tacos, soups, ribs, pastas, appies & more.' The menu is quite extensive, with coding for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and spicy options. Page 2 sports an impressive drinks list, including some tasty-sounding 0% choices. Cocktails that catch my eye are the 'Peachy Pirate' and the 'Shaft.' As for desserts, I'd be stuck deciding between the Mini Donuts and the Turtles Cheesecake.
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The Watershed Grill television persona is far from a secret. Fans have been flocking to the Virgin River site for years. In 2022, the local paper, The Squamish Reporter, featured a story on the thousands of visitors who have made the pilgrimage to the site for various reasons, from curiosity to emotional tributes. The restaurant staff often fields hopeful phone calls for Jack Sheridan. They have even received gifts for the cast members from as far away as New Zealand. Cr. Courtesy Of Netflix © 2022 'People Belong Wherever They Feel Good'
So hike on up to Squamish, BC, where you'll never be without a breathtaking view. Pull up a seat, enjoy a meal, and raise a glass to the love stories, life lessons, and lived experiences of Virgin River . The Watershed Grill represents the heart of television's Virgin River community for a reason. It invites visitors to take in the world at their own pace and for their own reasons. As the show often highlights themes of healing and redemption, the power of place is strong with The Watershed Grill.
BRIDGERTON Renewed for Seasons 5 and 6; Watch New Teaser for Season 4 Diana lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada, where she invests her time and energy in teaching, writing, parenting, and indulging her love of all Trek and a myriad of other fandoms. She is a lifelong fan of smart sci-fi and fantasy media, an upstanding citizen of the United Federation of Planets, and a supporter of AFC Richmond 'til she dies. Her guilty pleasures include female-led procedurals, old-school sitcoms, and Bluey. She teaches, knits, and dreams big. You can also find her writing at The Televixen, Women at Warp, TV Fanatic, and TV Goodness.
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