New Empress Street restaurant adds another easygoing gathering spot for shoppers, families and concert-goers
Winnipeg is getting another place to meet up for burgers, bowls and cocktails. State & Main Kitchen + Bar is opening a new standalone location on Empress Street across from CF Polo Park in January 2026, becoming the brand’s second restaurant in the city after Kildonan Place.
The fully renovated building at 655 Empress Street, Winnipeg, MB has been designed as a modern, comfortable spot where people can drop in before a movie, refuel after a shopping marathon, or linger over a weeknight dinner. With 145 indoor seats and a 40‑seat patio (185 seats total) plus free parking, it is positioned as a convenient stop for nearby destinations like CF Polo Park, Assiniboine Park and Zoo, and Scotiabank Theatre Winnipeg.
“Guests today are looking for more than just good food, they want places that fit seamlessly into their daily lives,” says Richard Homer-Dixon, Vice President and State & Main Brand Leader. “Our new Empress Street location is designed with that in mind. It’s comfortable and consistent, the kind of place you can drop by for a weekday happy hour, or count on to host your next celebration.”
Familiar comfort food with a few twists
The menu at State & Main Empress Street will feel familiar to anyone who has visited the brand before, with a mix of shareable appetizers, steaks and mains, burgers, handhelds and salads. One of the signatures is the “Steak & Sushi” combo, which pairs a certified steak with crisp sushi rolls for a surf-and-turf style dish that is a little different from the usual pub fare.
To go with the food, guests can expect a full bar program that includes wine, beer and a lineup of handcrafted cocktails. The restaurant will feature five-day-a-week food and drink specials along with twice daily happy hour, offering deals on select beverages and smaller plates.
Families are very much part of the plan. A dedicated kids’ menu aims to make it easy for parents to bring younger diners along for lunch or supper without overcomplicating the outing.
A new neighbour for a busy part of the city
Empress Street has long been one of Winnipeg’s busiest stretches, connecting shoppers, moviegoers and commuters to some of the city’s major attractions and retail hubs. State & Main’s new standalone restaurant slots into that mix as another option when people are already in the area.
Whether it is a quick bite before a film at Scotiabank Theatre, a relaxed Saturday lunch after hitting the stores, or a weeknight meet-up with friends who live in different parts of the city, the goal is to offer something that works for a lot of different occasions without feeling formal or fussy.
The Empress Street location joins State & Main’s existing restaurant in Kildonan Place, part of the brand’s broader plan to keep expanding into Canadian neighbourhoods where people want a dependable go-to spot that is close to home. State & Main now has more than 25 locations across the country, all operated by the Franworks Group of Companies.
When and where to find it
State & Main Empress Street is expected to open in January 2026. Once the doors are open, the restaurant will operate daily from 11 a.m. at
📍 Location: 665 Empress Street, Winnipeg, MB
🌐 Website: stateandmain.ca
📞 Contact: (403) 263-4323
📷 Instagram: @stateandmain
📘 Facebook: State & Main Kitchen & Bar
Story provided in collaboration with Worthington PR & Story on behalf of State & Main
Did You Know?
State & Main is opening its second Winnipeg location this January 2026 at 655 Empress Street, right across from CF Polo Park, with 145 indoor seats and a 40‑seat patio (185 seats total), and free parking for shoppers, moviegoers, and concert fans.
