On Ossington, where Ghost Chicken once stood, a new space has emerged as an ode to the neighbourhood, a place where people are welcome to start their night, finish their night or spend their night. No Vacancy is a tribute to global cuisine and cocktails, offering a laid-back spot to gather with friends and a gift to the neighbourhood that supported Ghost Chicken (still thriving via delivery) and beyond.
“Seeing what has happened with Ossington, especially over the last five years or so, and the trajectory that it’s on, we knew we wanted to do something unique,” says the No Vacancy team. “We wanted to bring something to the strip where you could come for a drink, you could come for a couple snacks and a couple cocktails or you could eat dinner there and stay the night.”
The result is a menu that blends global flavours, mouthwatering vegetarian dishes and thoughtfully crafted cocktails — both classic and creative.
Chef John Carlo Zabala’s open-flame dishes spotlight bold flavours and local ingredients. Highlights include uni toast, bucatini with egg, pork belly, and pecorino, and a maitake-leek creation with walnuts and charred onion aioli. A weekly special, featuring seasonal produce sourced within 100 km, reflects Zabala’s Filipino heritage and global culinary training.
“We didn’t want to box ourselves in,” says the team. “It’s about experimenting, mixing things up, and showcasing Zabala’s background and the places that inspire him.”
The team at No Vacancy describes the vibe as moody, romantic and nostalgic and the space incorporates installations from local artists, sleek bar seating and neutral colours. The design team was limited in terms of structural changes — the space is housed inside a heritage building — but the exposed brick detailing adds to the homey feel of the space.
“We wanted to create a space that we would want to go to. The colour palette, the warm light, how it all comes together, it creates a space that’s all so comfortable. You can have a range of experiences on any given night there. It’s a feeling.”
No Vacancy is located at 74 Ossington Avenue.
