Cowboys closing January 20 - any memories?

[Bobblehead]

One year I was given a VIP card (not sure why, but who was I to argue). I would go when friends from out of town were around. It was fun sometimes with a group of friends earlier in the evening before it got busy. But the cover charge + expensive drinks for the pleasure of standing in a crowded warehouse with a heavy pall of cigarette smoke listening to music I didn't really enjoy usually kept me away (and from many other similar places).

It had it's moments. I'd probably stop in for a beer before it's gone if I find myself in the neighbourhood, but I'm not going to make a point of it.

[r00t]

It's not actually closing on the 20th as Papa Roach is playing there on Jan 29th ... Based on most of the responses I've read on this board, I'm clearly in the minority in my opinion about the bar. I think Byron (one of the doormen) is one of the nicer people you'll ever get a chance to meet.

For most of this year, I was a regular and I met some of the most amazing people who just happened to work there. Perception and reality are often very different things and I can honestly say that a large portion of the staff at that bar are awesome.

I have more stories than people likely care to hear ... but MC Hammer and Dennis DeYoung of Styx at Stampede this year were definitely surreal experiences ... 25 cent draft night doesn't really represent the scene at Cowboys because:

1. People have way more to drink than they normally would because it's "cheap"
2. People who wouldn't normally go to Cowboys go because they have "cheap" beer

Anyway, I just felt I needed to add my 2 cents about a place where I met some of my closest friends.

[Winsor_Pilates]

I've also heard they're moving it to The Crack Alley and The Crack Alley is moving/closing down.
I can't see them moving to the NE as one poster heard. It doesn't make sense with the type of demographic they want inside.
Moving to the South does make sense though.

[Jayems]

ahh.. hooter shooters

[Fozzie_DeBear]

What a meat market...not going to miss it at all.

On another topic (not sure if it deserves its own thread) what is the story with the Flames bar on Steven Ave (the old Palace)? Is that place going to open this season?

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

What a meat market...not going to miss it at all.

On another topic (not sure if it deserves its own thread) what is the story with the Flames bar on Steven Ave (the old Palace)? Is that place going to open this season?

Word is March

[browna]

I heard CJAY broadcasting from there last night, and whoever it was from CJAY said that contrary to reports, its not closing until at least after Stampede.

Take it for what its worth, but yes, there's a concert there on the 29th.

In small doses, which clubs are meant to be used as, I've always enjoyed it there with friends...a couple times during Stampede, then probably 1 or 2 times the rest of the year for someone's stag or birthday or just a night out with the guys, on average.

Did it appeal to the MENSA crowd, obviously not, but find me one club, or pub, or "lounge" that doesn't have it share of losers/idiots.

Good times...

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Apparently they are moving it to the Office Depot (Not Staples) that is on the NE side of downtown. At least that is what I heard.

There's a hotel right next to that Office Depot - talk about a disaster in the making.

About 3 different places in the thread it's rumored to touch down.... will be interesting to see where it does land. I figure if Vickers hasn't started building a place, it'll have to be something already up.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

I can't see them moving to the NE as one poster heard. It doesn't make sense with the type of demographic they want inside.

Ooops, I meant NW corner of downtown. Either way it'll still be downtown.

[Bobblehead]

I thought I recall hearing that Cowboys were going to get a spot in the new development as a condition of their sale to the developer?
If that is the case then any relocation would be temporary.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

What a meat market...not going to miss it at all.

On another topic (not sure if it deserves its own thread) what is the story with the Flames bar on Steven Ave (the old Palace)? Is that place going to open this season?

Late March, early April in time for playoffs (assuming we make them ) Was delayed because of the labour shortage.

As for Cowboys, aren't they re-opening it around the same location once all the highrises are done? Yes this will be years in the future, but I thought the long term plan was to put it back. Won't Vickers own part of the new highrises going up? The location they are putting it in now being a temporary location for a few years?

[Looger]

not a bad bar but holy overblown reputation batman.

bitchy, bitchy girls too.

[KevanGuy]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

I've also heard they're moving it to The Crack Alley and The Crack Alley is moving/closing down.

I've also heard this rumour.

I only went there a couple times and hated every single one of them. I remember the first time I went was in the Spring and it must have been 35 degrees in that crap-hole. Making people sweat so they buy more drinks is BS.

[MissTeeks]

I have two favorite memories of Cowboys. One was my second year at UofC where my friend and I made it to every Thursday night of first semester except for 1 for some crappy draft! The second is seeing some of the Flames there the night of the Rally after the 03/04 Playoffs, and managing to sneak up into where they were standing and meeting Marcus Nilson. Can't say as I've been there in a while though. I usually feel like I'm wearing too many clothes and not enough makeup. Plus I'm a little old for the place now.

[Prototype]

Snoop's first concert in Calgary. He could sell out Staples Centre. MSG would be full. But come to Cowtown, and dozens will flock to see you under a makeshift tent.

I think I saw Vengaboys there too. Other than that, I can't think of anything remotely plesant. I think a guy I played hockey with is/was a bouncer, but there's something about absolutely no space to exist that turns me off.

[Flames_Gimp]

CP is the home of exaggeration... Cowboys is not nearly as bad as some of you make it out to be.

one memory - these 2 guys with this incredibly hot girl with a mini skirt, long legs and they brought her over and she grinded me.. the rest of that story is X-rated.

being picked up by an Austrailian girl...

ahh too many good memories..

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by fotze

Well maybe if some of us got to use the old beaver kleenex we might have fonder recollections, but all we got was a knuckle sandwich.

come on, even I was friendly with the beaver at cowboys...and I'm a gimp!! lol

[CRXguy]

Originally Posted by Prottotype

I think I saw Vengaboys there too.

That was the only time I was able to get in. LOL.. When was that? '99 or 2000?

The bouncers are a joke!

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by The Goon

I haven't been there in a year (when I went to see Glass Tiger and Honeymoon Suite ), but I'm thinking of getting some friends together in the next couple of weeks to buy an overpriced beer there from an overchested bartender. Adios, Cowboys!

I've had troubles with Cowboys and racism and bouncers not letting me in as does happen in Calgary to the shock and dismay of out of towners. Not going near that place. Glad it's going down. Damn "race bars"

P.S. I would have loved to see Glass Tiger and Honeymoon suite but being a 20 something Chinese male who was all of two years old when these bands were in their heyday means that I really have no friends that would have gone with me and somehow I think I wouldn't have fit in with the crowd.

[albertGQ]

I was at Cowboys a couple years ago for the SuperBowl "Creepshow"

If anyone has heard about it. Its all true.
What an unforgettable afternoon