RIP Schanks Sports Bar and Grill franchise

[CliffFletcher]

Bars have been declining in Calgary for years. The combination of reduced thresholds for impaired driving and the relentlessly rising cost of alcohol make it a poor value proposition for most people.

3 drinks + appetizer = $50 and the risk of getting a DUI

5 drinks + appetizer + 15 min uber = $95

For many people, that's outside the cost range of regular social activity and into the realm of occasional indulgence.

[Scroopy Noopers]

^ I don’t know the numbers on overall decline, but the reasons you have outlined are why there has been such a shift to small local pubs.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Well your point earlier was drinking in general. But preferring to stay home is also true with Americans. Interestingly, this also suggests the trend of staying home is bolstered by younger generations and will only increase. The point being, of course, that it's cheaper and easier to drink at home than it is to go to the bar.

Aren't you being sort of judgemental about people who prefer to drink at home? Isn't being judgemental about drinking something you were complaining about?

The judgement was specifically about drinking with friends, which is then turns into drinking generally....except if you do it at home alone, which is apparently cooler for some reason.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by blankall

The judgement was specifically about drinking with friends, which is then turns into drinking generally....except if you do it at home alone, which is apparently cooler for some reason.

You seem to be the only one around passing these judgments on people.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

You seem to be the only one around passing these judgments on people.

yes....very clever. I have no issue with the drinking. However, if people are going to complain about drinking, would drinking alone not be worse than drinking with people, if the issue is purely how it takes away from overall quality of experience.

[nik-]

If a pub doesn't have $18 "small plates" and 14 ounce pints, I'm not interested.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by blankall

yes....very clever. I have no issue with the drinking. However, if people are going to complain about drinking, would drinking alone not be worse than drinking with people, if the issue is purely how it takes away from overall quality of experience.

But nobody is complaining about drinking...

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by blankall

yes....very clever. I have no issue with the drinking. However, if people are going to complain about drinking, would drinking alone not be worse than drinking with people, if the issue is purely how it takes away from overall quality of experience.

Drinking "at home" doesn't mean alone. You could have friends over often, or drink with your spouse. Or maybe you also just enjoy the taste, and that's enough to also enjoy drinking alone? I dunno, I'm not the one judging people here. I don't see anyone else in this thread, or can think of "drink shaming" that you think is a big reason people aren't going to Shanks.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Drinking "at home" doesn't mean alone. You could have friends over often, or drink with your spouse. Or maybe you also just enjoy the taste, and that's enoguh to also enjoy drinking alone? I dunno, I'm not the one judging people here. I don't see anyone else in this thread, or can think of "drink shaming" that you think is a big reason people aren't going to Shanks.

Based on the graph, it broke down at home and at friend's places. The at home far outweighed the at friends places. The only way that could happen is if people were drinking only with people they lived with.

My gripe is with the general anti-socialness of Canadians, that makes things like sports bars not viable.

The point about poor transportation options is solid though.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by blankall

Based on the graph, it broke down at home and at friend's places. The at home far outweighed the at friends places. The only way that could happen is if people were drinking only with people they lived with.

And? I don't see what the issue is here. You say you don't understand why people would drink at home alone, and that you prefer drinking socially. But is it so hard to understand someone might enjoy dinner and a movie at home with a bottle of wine, or a glass of scotch? Some people don't like being around loud places and talking to people. You may have heard of them.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Bars have been declining in Calgary for years. The combination of reduced thresholds for impaired driving and the relentlessly rising cost of alcohol make it a poor value proposition for most people.

3 drinks + appetizer = $50 and the risk of getting a DUI

5 drinks + appetizer + 15 min uber = $95

For many people, that's outside the cost range of regular social activity and into the realm of occasional indulgence.

I bought my house in Auburn Bay because it was winter walking distance from 4 pubs, one of which is a 5 minute walk.

[KevanGuy]

Originally Posted by blankall

What's the point of taking a drug that alters your cognition if you aren't around other people to converse and interact with.

Really? Are you familiar with the term self medicating? Alcoholics are under represented in the comments so far, I think. I'm reading plenty of "oh yeah, just some drinks with friends..." but not much from the "I drink to forget" crowd.

Anyway, to answer your question, sleep would be one reason.

[jmac98]

Originally Posted by blankall

I was discussing why sports bars, generally, are not as popular in Canada as other parts of the world. Based on my experience, it seems far more common for adults to meet with friends for drinks and sporting events in other parts of the world. Even when I go to an international event like the Rugby 7s, the majority of the adults drinking seem to be migrants from outside of Canada.

It seems to be a thing in Canada, particularly in Western Canada, where there are extreme negative connotations associated with meeting with other adults for a few drinks.

It's also something relatively new. Hence, why a sports bar, in a city like Calgary, which is quite sport focused, just cannot succeed.

Thank you for the clarity. I appreciate your taking the time to do so.

[GrrlGoalie33]

I prefer to have a beer at home with dinner because my preferred style of beer is hard to find at a restaurant or pub. I can find pubs that have them on tap, but they’re all downtown which leads to either trying to find and subsequently pay for parking or transit.

On the other hand my preferred local liquor store has a great one in their fridge.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by KevanGuy

Really? Are you familiar with the term self medicating? Alcoholics are under represented in the comments so far, I think. I'm reading plenty of "oh yeah, just some drinks with friends..." but not much from the "I drink to forget" crowd.

Anyway, to answer your question, sleep would be one reason.

I drink to forget after many a Flames game and am not ashamed to admit it

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by blankall

Conversely, no new sports bars arose.

Shark Club in the North and South, plus Garage in Eau Claire. Shark Club is especially popular.

[troutman]

FATS was a sports bar and lost their way when they became a "gastropub".

Tipperarys promotes sporting events.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I bought my house in Auburn Bay because it was winter walking distance from 4 pubs, one of which is a 5 minute walk.

Theres a solid chance we're neighbors! I could damn near triangulate any place in calgary with the 3 closest bars

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

Theres a solid chance we're neighbors! I could damn near triangulate any place in calgary with the 3 closest bars

are on the northside of the lack between POP and the public school.

[PaperBagger'14]

PM's, didnt want anyone breaking into my house looking for electrical advice