RIP Schanks Sports Bar and Grill franchise

[Bobblehead]

I know Schanks started allowing families a few years ago. We held a company function there and families were all there, kids totally overrunning the arcade area.

When it was new they were great. Then they maintenance seemed to drop off, the mini-putt was dirty and crappy, the video games were broken a lot of the time, then they got rid of NTN/Buzztime, so the only reason to go was to watch sports. When projection TVs were the only way to see sports on a large screen, that made sense. Now even small places can buy a bunch of large flat screens and not lose any seating space.
Time just passed them by.

And I too spent Y2K at Schanks (South).

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by socktape

I know we had a kids hockey party at the north location a couple years ago and I believe they were doing birthday parties during the day on the weekends. The kids enjoyed it but like most have said, the food wasn't very good and service was iffy.

The CBVA used to have a tournament at the south location every year, truck in and out sand for the courts. The atmosphere there degraded to the point that they no longer seemed to really want them there. So they took the tournament to their main site.

If I'm not mistaken, the north location actually had an indoor beach volleyball court in the early days. I'm not sure how long they kept it around but it was replaced with pool tables. It was interesting to see

[sparky69]

Met my late wife at shanks north on New Years 2007. My brother in-law also was the GM at shanks north plus my best friend was Manager there. Spend a lot of time there. But haven’t been back there since they split it in half

[FlamesAddiction]

If you can get 20 years or more out of a concept in that industry, then you can consider it a success.

[Scroopy Noopers]

I recall watching the playoffs at the south location and they had Willy Joosen in house live on the keyboard. Playing at stoppages and over muted commercial breaks. It was fantastic. Easily the best time I had there, out of an infinite number.

[Party Elephant]

First bar I was ever thrown out of. It was a work staff party and I was 18. We had way too much tequila for my skinny 18 year old frame, then took a bus to schanks and I lasted about 5 minutes before I was throwing up in the toilets. Eventually a bouncer came and escorted me out.

[Misterpants]

Man for all the crap talk about Schank's, I can name easily a dozen awesome times I've had there. I always have to give props for places like these that try to do something fun and have activities aside from sitting with your neck craned at a small tv watching some meaningless football game.

[corporatejay]

Schanks was great. I think the only other bar that seems to have lasted as long as they did is the Ship.

[CaptainCrunch]

I always liked going to Schanks.


We usually would try to catch Playoff games and Stamps games there.
Every year our coaches kickoff meetings for football took place there.
I had one of my best dates at a Schanks.
I had one of my worst dates at a Schanks as well.

I almost killed a guy with an errant golf ball at Schanks as well.


I hate the idea of the staffers losing their jobs, its a crappy market out there right now for hospitality.

[Misterpants]

Am I imagining things or at one point did the north location have beach volleyball?

[troutman]

Where else can you go now that will have all the NFL games on a screen on Sunday?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

Schanks was great. I think the only other bar that seems to have lasted as long as they did is the Ship.

Stavros still standing!

[Winsor_Pilates]

I remember when they first opened we thought it was the coolest place in the world. Sports, mini golf, virtual golf!
I don't think I was 18 at the time but still got in a few times and it felt like Disney Land.

[Galakanokis]

Went there when it first opened, was there opening night actually. Was quiet for the first little while but then it really took off. Use to love going there.

Vancouver and area doesn't have anything like Schanks and I really missed it when I first moved out here. Also had friends run the Edmonton location and always enjoyed stopping in.

[MRCboicgy]

I think my co-workers took me there 9 years ago, my one and only time and I was underwhelmed.

[Jordan!]

Is Buffalo Bobs still there on Richmond Rd?

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Misterpants

Am I imagining things or at one point did the north location have beach volleyball?

I commented about that a few posts ago. I recall there being beach volleyball on the far west side of the building. I don't think it lasted long though.

[schteve_d]

Originally Posted by guzzy

brewhouse has good atmosphere and cold beer. The food makes BP's feel like gourmet. It is such a vanilla menu. The food is awful.

I have never been to a Canadian Brewhouse in Calgary, but we have one here in Fort Mac. I don't mind a few things on their menu. The Olympic Stirfry is pretty good.

Their Shepherd's Pie, which is made with rib meat, is fantastic!

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by guzzy

brewhouse has good atmosphere and cold beer. The food makes BP's feel like gourmet. It is such a vanilla menu. The food is awful.

I have no love for brewhouse but there’s no way they are worse than BPs. It’s just not possible.

[Julio]

https://calgaryherald.com/news/local...-67c1d8ff947b/