SoHo’s hallowed watering hole will be rocking again this Friday.

Almost three years after it shut down, the Victoria Tavern — a.k.a. the Vic, a.k.a. The Bucket of Blood — will reopen Friday at 4 p.m.

For new owner Mike Small, it’s a relief after months of working through glitches, fixes and red tape to renew the liquor licence for the century-old building on South Street.

It’s also personal. His grandfather drank at the Vic in the 1950s and he played there as a young musician. He hopes to have live music almost every day.

“The real push is bringing live music back to this neighbourhood. SoHo needs something like this. This will help the city’s effort at revitalization,” said Small.

The SoHo Community Association has hailed the reopening of the neighbourhood pub, just as the working-class area is poised for revival with the development of Victorial Hospital’s former South Street site.

Small has done some minor renovations, but he wants the place to maintain the authentic feel.

Though named for the British monarch who was the pinnacle of etiquette and sobriety, the Victoria Tavern reflected its gritty working-class surroundings when it opened during the Great Depression.

It was nicknamed the Bucket of Blood, either for the brawls that broke out there, or the blood-­spattered surgical staff from nearby Victoria Hospital who stopped by for a pint.

With the demise of old taverns such as the Brunswick and the Embassy, Small said he’s proud to save a bit of the city’s heritage.

Small grew up in nearby Old South, working in restaurants as a cook before moving to Alberta.

He returned to London and went to Fanshawe College to become a millwright, working at manufacturers, including a Magna automotive seating plant in the city.

He has fond memories of catching live music at the bar and playing downstairs.

The Honey Runners, a Toronto-based rock ’n’ roll and soul band, will be the first to play Friday, followed by a blues fest Saturday and a Sunday matinee with Rev. Freddie, a fixture at the tavern for years.

hdaniszewski@postmedia.com

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The Victoria Tavern

The building was constructed in 1917 on the northeast corner of South and Maitland streets by William and Rose Ginsberg.

It operated as a grocery store, butcher shop and confectionery with residences above the stores.

During the Depression, Hyman Ginsberg, son of the original owners, converted the building to the Victoria Hotel & Tavern; he sold it in 1982.

“The Vic” operated under the ownership of Susie and Peter Kaiser until 2011.

The tavern shut down in June 2013

Source: Vintage London