The Red Shoe Pub in Mabou, has become a kind of "home away for home" for many locals and visitors alike over the years. After a brief closing The Red Shoe Pub was bought by the Rankin Family and the building was reopened for business on June 1st, 2005.

The Red Shoe Pub offers up great food and drunks, friendly service and some of the most interesting music you'll find anywhere in Cape Breton.

Johnny Gillis of North East Mabou, come up with the name "Red Shoe" as a tribute to Cape Breton fiddler, Dan R. MacDonald. After doing some research, former owner of the pub, Rob Willson realized how much Dan R. had contributed to the music and culture of the area and decided it would be an appropriate name for the establishment.