about

WHO WE ARE

Welcome to The Starlight, your cozy retreat nestled in the heart of Stratford, Ontario. Our journey began with a simple vision: to create a fun and inviting space where friends and neighbours can come together to unwind, indulge, and create lasting memories.

Born out of a passion for hospitality and a love for our community, The Starlight is more than just a drinks and snack bar - it's a gathering place where locals and tourists alike can unwind, celebrate and most importantly have a good time! We believe in the power of connection - the simple joy of sharing stories, raising a toast to life's moments, and creating new memories with each visit.

the vibe

Our story is rooted in the rich tapestry of Stratford's history and culture. From the locally sourced ingredients in our small plates and our carefully curated selection of hyper local craft beers to our live music nights showcasing local talent; we strive to celebrate the essence of our community in everything we do.

Step inside The Starlight, and you'll be greeted by the warm glow of our cozy motel chic ambiance. Whether you're unwinding after a long day at work or catching up with friends over live music combined with drinks and small plates, our friendly staff is here to ensure you feel right at home, 7 days a week.

Join us at The Starlight and become part of our story - a story filled with laughter, friendship, and the shared love of good drinks and great company.

Expect late nights, live music, great times & the best of company!

MEET the owners: MEGAN & TIM

Meet Megan Jones and Tim Pritchard, owners of The Starlight and the power couple with a flair for all things cozy and vintage. If you're looking for a spot to sip quality drinks and munch on delectable bites and small plates 'til the cows come home, you've found your new haunt.

These two aren't newbies to the hospitality game - oh no! Former owners of The Gaslight, a beloved local joint in Toronto's Junction Triangle, Megan and Tim made the leap to Stratford in 2019 with dreams of running a motel. But hey, when life throws you lemons (or a pandemic), you make some darn good lemonade!

While their motel dreams may have taken a temporary detour, The Starlight's retro motel lobby vibe is a nod to what could've been. From the quirky "motel keys" hanging at the bar to the orange leather booths to an old piano that's been tuned up to share live music every Saturday through Monday night, every inch of this joint screams "stay a while."

One other fun fact about Megan and Tim, they are all family and community, inside and outside of The Starlight - which is one of the many reasons they fell in love with Stratford, Ontario. They've also assembled a superstar team of hospitality experts to run The Starlight, so they can kick back and spend quality time with their two mini sidekicks - Isabella and Scarlett.

Meet the chef: yva santini

Meet Executive Chef Yva Santini - the culinary rockstar who designs our diverse menu of delectable snacks and small plates here at The Starlight. Her ingenuity and talent in the kitchen is unparalleled and we are beyond thrilled to get the opportunity to work with such a kind hardworking hospitality pro!

Chef Yva's culinary adventure kicked off at an early age, receiving her culinary training right here at the Stratford Chef School. She has played a key role in many a kitchen here in the Stratford restaurant scene most notably as head Chef at Pazzo & Café Bouffon. When this award-winning ‘30 under 30’ chef isn't cooking up new dishes for us you can find her cooking up a storm at The Flour Mill in her hometown of St. Marys. Inspired by her travels, local ingredients & her chef pals, Yva is one to watch for sure. Be sure when you visit to sink your teeth into one of the many delicious small plates offered on The Starlight's menu curated by Chef Yva.