Old Calgary Bars/Clubs

[JiriHrdina]

Thought this would be a fun off-shoot from the Bars/Clubs thread - what were some of the local establishments that you used to frequent in your younger days that are no longer around?

For me
- The first bar I went to was the King Eddy, they didn't ID there at all
- In my 18-20 years Electric Ave was still around so we would hit up Fox and Firkin, CJs, 3 Cheers (dump) and Yankee Doodles.
- The Fox NE was also pretty popular
- There was a chain of bars called Spanaguccis or something. Can't remember

In my 20s I was a big fan of going to The Embassy on Friday night for their retro evening - 80s upstairs, 70s in the basement and the best roof top patio in the city. If The Embassy was dead we'd shoot across to the Capital.

1st Ave became popular later for my group - and specifically Gargoyles, Venom and Crazy Horse. Personally though I wasn't a big fan of that strip.

What were your favourite joints?

[vanisleflamesfan]

Along with the ones you mentioned, the orginal Republik.

[nik-]

Spagucci's, Mingles (which was the only place that did Hip Hop nights for a long time), The Palace in it's heyday, The Capital, Outlaws, the Night Gallery, the Taz ... oh man.

My favourite was still The Palace though, that place was a wicked bar by the time midnight rolled around and the dance floor was full.

[Sample00]

I used to go to a place called Ahhs (or something like that) back in the day. It was downtown.
Also the Pied Pickle just off 36 Street.
Jimmy Deans at the Marlborough Inn.
And how could I forget Glenn's Restaurant and Memories Bar. Back in the 80's it was the place to be!!

I'm sure theres others I just cant remember at the moment.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by nik-

Spagucci's,

That's the one I couldn't remember the name of.

Also went through a period of time where we would go to "Botany's" in the NE at the Radisson Hotel. Just a total dump and a rough rough crowd in there. Hated it.

[troutman]

Ah, the Cecil. Good times in the 1980s:

A "lady" spat at me in the face because I declined her tempting offer to dance (yes, there is a dance floor there - sometimes bands). She later followed me into the men's room to watch me pee.

One night we witnessed a wedding reception there. True story. The happy couple actually met at the Cecil, and thought it would be romantic to celebrate their marriage at the glamorous Cecil Hotel. The parents of the bride and groom were absolutely mortified. I wonder if they stayed in the Honeymoon Suite?

Another time a woman in perhaps her 50s was passed-out on the dance floor. Two or three songs later (no one bothered to help her up) she incredibly got back on her feet, and carried on dancing. We referred to that as the "TSN Turning Point".

A native gentleman asked my friend to dance one night. I don't think the native man was gay; he was just too drunk too know if he was speaking to men or women.

There was a sign behind the bar reminding guests to "check their knives".

Why did we go there? Cheapest pitchers of beer in the city.

Next time: stories from the now defunct Hollywood North (home of the $0.99 high-balls).

Also: Dive-Wire, Night Tragic, Coconut Joes, Three Cheers, Electric Avenue, Denny Andrews, Curlys, Franky and Johnnys, Crowchild Inn, Peakin at the Beacon, The National, Dewey Stevens, Mistys

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=45806

The Beach Bar at the Tiki Tiki Room, had great music.

[Icon]

In my Uni days... the Fox & the Cherry were regular stops due to rediculously cheap drinks.

Nothing else coming to mind other than what's still around tho... suppose it wasn't that long ago.

[MissTeeks]

The Fox was a favorite on Monday nights my first and second year of University. Penny Highballs for an hour. Limited of 2 at a time so you would get 2 then get back in line for the next round. I also liked The Taz and the Palace.

And sadly, my roommates and I during our second year made it to every Thursday night at Cowboys for 25cent draft for an entire semester. We missed one Thursday and that was due to being sick, not studying for exams.

[Kybosh]

Remember when you could catch hepatitis by simply walking near the Al Cove? Yeah, that hasn't changed.

[PowerPlayoffs06]

I had one group of friends I'd go to Venom with or sometimes the Warehouse and another group of friends who would do the Purple Turtle or on occasion, Outlaws.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

In my 20s I was a big fan of going to The Embassy on Friday night for their retro evening - 80s upstairs, 70s in the basement and the best roof top patio in the city. If The Embassy was dead we'd shoot across to the Capital.

Yes, retro night was awesome there on Friday's. I was sad to see it go and become Mynt afterwards, although I did go there quite a few times.

I have to put a shout in for the original Cowboys/Ceili's combo on 9th avenue. I knew a few of the bouncers at both places, so I could spend a night going between both venues and having a great time.

Also really enjoyed the Night Gallery and Crazy Horse, but I definitely miss Night Gallery the most. That place was awesome, especially enjoyed 'Sunday School' there.

[blankall]

My first bar in Calgary was the Black Swan. It was near Southland on McLeod Trail.

Within 10 minutes of arriving, I saw one cowboy punch another cowboy, who then landed on a table and broke the table.

Other bars I used to frequen that may no longer exist (I don't live in Calgary anymore):

The night Gallery
The Palace
Outlaws
Ship & Anchor (still around, although much harder to find a seat in these days)
King Eddy: cannot believe this place was allowed to close. The history behind this bar was absolutely amazing.
Old Cowboys: Awful, but who can turn down 25 cent beers on Monday nights.
Black Lounge: Located at the UofC. So many great punk rock shows there.
The Den: for obvious reasons.

[Madman]

Pretty much what you said Jiri is how I remember it as well.

The very early days were Spagucci's for sure - how could you beat Anthony Cool?

The later years used to be The Taz on Thursdays for insanely cheap pitchers of rye and cokes, after we were thoroughly lubricated from those we would stagger over to Venom for some great tunes and an awesome environment to dance our drunkeness away.

Spent a good amount of time in the golden years of my bar days at Metro, (I think that was the name at the time - was it something before Metro?). Loved the 3 different areas with different types of tunes in each.

There was also a place on 9th Ave we used to go to where they had 2/3 levels with great music.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

The Fox was a favorite on Monday nights my first and second year of University. Penny Highballs for an hour. Limited of 2 at a time so you would get 2 then get back in line for the next round. I also liked The Taz and the Palace.

And sadly, my roommates and I during our second year made it to every Thursday night at Cowboys for 25cent draft for an entire semester. We missed one Thursday and that was due to being sick, not studying for exams.

so 1+1=3?

[Frank MetaMusil]

Hop In Brew. Is that place still open?

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

Hop In Brew. Is that place still open?

It sure is, and it is still awesome. We tend to have our SSP get-togethers there more often than not.

[woob]

Originally Posted by vanisleflamesfan

Along with the ones you mentioned, the orginal Republik.

Yes, original Republik was great. I remember going to a DRI concert there on my 18th birthday. Sooooo good!

[surferguy]

Where was gargoyles and more importantly help me clear the fog that was my yeras in residence at the U of C. We used to go to a place called Gotham. Anybody remember where that was?

[Julio]

Gotham was on 10th Ave...just south of the Epcor Centre.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Julio

Gotham was on 10th Ave...just south of the Epcor Centre.

Yeah in the basement - a hole as well.

Gargoyles was on 1st Street and was one of the bigger bars on that strip if memory serves.

I think it may have been where NYLA eventually ended up.