Ok, sorry for the last week of MIA styles, but i come back this week with a killer suggestion by my boy Matty (aka Big Finger) - Top 5 Fave Bars. Pretty straightforward here - any reason is acceptable, any location is fine, and any style (pub, club, patio, etc.) is also all good. Everyone has their fave watering hole, but there are i'm sure places from the far reaches of this fine earth that hold a special memory that we'd all like to hear about. Hell, maybe there will even be a common thread come out of all this madness and new fave bars will be discovered and enjoyed around the world! So, pull up a barstool, grab a pint and think about the places where everybody knows your name (or drinks so much they forget it!).
Top 5 Fave Bars
- Call the Office - London, Ontario. Hands down my favourite bar here in town. I've played many a show there, i've seen many fantastic show there, including some big names that rolled through back in the day on their way up the musical ladder, and of course the 2 longest running DJ nights in town; Mo' Gravy for a funky good time on Wednesdays, and Raygun for your retro 80's fix on Sunday nights. Long live the Office.
- Romkert (aka The Kart) - Budapest, Hungary. Outdoor bar, at the base of the Buda hills, surrounded by a stone wall, on the shore of the Danube river. DJ is situated right on the dance floor, it's always packed in the summer, and is open all night long. People "outside" the club can sit along the top of the wall, which ranges from a few feet tall to above your head level as it surrounds the dance floor area. One of the coolest bars on earth.
- The Stubnitz - Rostock, Germany. The Stubnitz is actually a ship, and there are several bar areas inside. There are a few different DJ rooms, and when we played there we set up on the lower deck, so the walls were actually the hull of the ship closing in on you. We were about a good 8 feet above the crowd gathered below with the way it's set up. We bunked there for night and ate in the mess with the ship's crew, who actually live and work on the ship full time and take it out on the water several times a year when it isn't docked as a nightclub. Crazycool stuff.
- Fregatt Pub - Budapest, Hungary. This was our weekly gig for the duration of my stay in Hungary. Very cosy, with cheap pints. It was an ex-pat pub for the most part, so we got to not only play music every week, but get a healthy dose of the English language which is so much cooler when you are trying to chat with the ladies. ;)
- Brass Door - London, Ontario. Very warm, atmospheric pub. Great live acoustic music almost every night, with many of the musicians from other nights showing up to jam with guys on different nights. Can usually run into a familiar face to shoot the shit over a pint while digging the music. My second-fave hangout in town here.
Honourable Mentions - Wylder's, North Bay - Never a bad time here, and many memorable gigs and escapades with the Bargain Boyz (aka the Big Heathers); The Electric Banana, London - Great rock club from back in the day - now defunct; The Embassy, London - Played some of my fave gigs there back in the days of the local jamband scene.
Posted by scotty at May 27, 2003 12:05 AMYes, Wreckd room and CTO
Posted by: HAMM on October 21, 2005 10:57 AMah... the Wreck'd Room! MY FAV ALSO! Then comes Scots!
Posted by: Asphyxia on October 2, 2003 05:01 PMoops, sorry...theres the rage (afterhours bar) at dundas and clarence, right across the street from burger king in downtown london. and theres the undergroundwhich is at dundas and wellington, beside the macs milk there. those are the only ones i know of.
Posted by: tigre on September 12, 2003 07:10 PMthe wreckd room is my favorite bar of all time. mind you i havnt been to all the fancy places you guys have. other bars in london i like, ok well, top 5:
1)the wreckd room-im devoted, its my home away from home just because ive been going there since it was 6 feet under. the staff is very relaxed and friendly, it's one of the only bars in london where the freaks are the preppies.
2)call the office-ive seen some of my favorite concerts ever there. im in love with matt the bartender. and i love the atmosphere and people.
3)the wick-its got this old, artsy, underground vibe to it. and you never know who will be there.
4)scots corner-a little expensive, but worth it just because of how cozy it is, and also, the interesting types are always there.
5)the gravity-its only number 5 because of 2 things, no pitchers, and theres never enough people there. which is too bad considering how awesome the atmopshere there is, with a caged in stage, virtual screen, and ambient pictures and posters plastering the walls.
honorable mentions-s.o.s, the bachus lounge, g.t.s, the poachers arms, solid golds, suz blues house, careys, and andy capps.
Posted by: tigre on September 12, 2003 07:07 PMOK does ANYONE know where afterhour clubs are in LONDON Ontario?????? i've heard of a couple, and i dont remember the names now, so if anyone knows maybe u can let me know! thanks!
Posted by: Linds on August 27, 2003 05:45 PMI didn't realize you were in London. I'm near Erie. I'm totally dependent on your radio stations.
Posted by: eden on June 3, 2003 01:07 PMAlright.....after a long absence, here's my top 5 contribution.....
5.Uncle Sam's, Niagara Falls....A long since closed rock club which saw the greatest of canadian cock rock play such as sven gali, slik toxik and the killer dwarves....was also attached to a strip club where I had my very first lap dance
4.Gts, London.....Cheap women, cheap drinks, and hot Dj's.....what more could you ask for?????(other than a good band downstairs)
3.Palladium, Acapulco....200 pesos at the door gets you drinks all night, a beautiful view of the ocean from the dance floor, a lighting rig Kiss would be proud of, and the only bar i've been to that doesn't close until everyone decides to leave.
2. Cat club, Hollywood....For those of you who've been to the Wick in London, this is the wick L.A style....owned by the drummer of the stray cats, guys in the biz and old rock stars come to jam and drink 7 days a week
1. Rainbow, Hollywood.....When I payed my cover and the first person I saw inside drinking was Lemmy, that sealed it.....a still thriving throwback to when hair was long, jeans were tight, and playing a snakeskin guitar was a good thing
honourable mentions....call the office, electric banana, point break and 600 north(daytona), disco beach (acapulco)
Posted by: SherktheJerk on May 28, 2003 07:47 PMThis is highly unfair...
The two heads I've probably shared the most bar-time with have both already posted.
...But, I proceed anyway...
A slightly different approach,
*5* Cortina's - N. Bay, ON.
17 - first time sambuca - older ladies (late 20's) took me and my boy Rich home... 'nuff said!
*4* Call the Office - London, ON.
Strange Bargain Video Shoot - Zuul's - Cameras - Ladies flashing their bras on stage - dudes whipping out their cocks... 'nuff period!
*3* Punch and Judy - London, England.
James (cousin/riot officer), Bennay and I. Started at P&J but our guide had attended college in London so the crawl that ensued - well let's just say that it made Sigma Pi's yearly romp look like kindergarten. We visited this incredible pub (voted best in London) but I was sooo plastered that I really can't remember the name. Thanks for getting us home James!
*2* GT's - London, ON.
2 words - Alcohol Poisoning! 1st year uni - Parr's Christmas bonus - $1 shooters - Parr in the gutter kissing a bus tire - Matty pissing in a garbage can ON RICHMOND ROW - Finny gets us home relatively unscathed - well except for Parr's empty wallet.
*1* Wylder's - N. Bay, ON.
The list goes on... First bar gig (17) - Mclean and Mclean - Braille Monkey (We owned that bar) - 5 years worth of girlfriends - Wednesday nights - Bargain - $1000 BofBands - Matthew Good - Dan Gallagher - Neked titties on stage - After hours pool table incident - and on and on...
5) GT's, London, ON - Only because there is so much going on there. You have your choice of live music and top 40 crap! Everyone always has a good time!
4) The Green Room, Vancouver, BC - My sister takes me there all the time. Local independent bands play there on Friday nights. It's very cool set up. Very intimate!! :)
3)The Comodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC - An old ballroom converted into a bar. The dance floor is springy, and booths line the dance floor. Great for live shows! Not a bad seat in the house. The balcony is really cool too. Reminds me of an old club in the '50s.
2) Bacchus Lounge, London, ON - LOVE IT! It's a classy place with an older Call the Office crowd. I love the music and the DJ. Love Andy Capp. Everybody knows I love the Bacchus!!
1) Call the Office, London, ON - Hands down the best bar! Awesome people, awesome music, and the best patio in the world!!!
Posted by: Paula on May 28, 2003 01:31 PMHello there. Thanks for a genuinely interesting meme. Mine for the week is at http://www.livejournal.com/users/akaliko/7950.html . Cheers, P-dawg
Posted by: P-dawg on May 28, 2003 01:21 PMAhhhh, I didn't know that.... Where the hell have I been?
Posted by: Janelle on May 28, 2003 12:24 PMIf any of you had said Jim Bob Rays or any of the joints on Richmond Row, I'd have had to clobber you :)
Posted by: Zorbs on May 28, 2003 09:08 AMgood work so far, guys and gals! i've been to at least two bars from each of your lists, and of course the wreck'd room, which is apparently cool enough to be Zorbs only listing! ;)
Posted by: scotty on May 27, 2003 06:54 PMWreck'd Room is on Richmond, in the basement of GT's...next door to the New Yorker and across the street from Rickies on the Rox.
Posted by: Zorbs on May 27, 2003 06:15 PM1) Call the Office. London, ON
By far, the best bar in London. I love it because of the people that go there. I have seen tons of really cool shows there and I was a frequent attendee of Mo'Gravy on wednesday nights.
2) Garfinkles. Whistler, BC
When I got outta my little town with only 2 small liquor establishments I made a point to hit Garfinkles in Whistler. Always had a good time there. Lots of people, lots of dancing, lots of drinks and lots of smoke.... I also saw some pretty cool bands there. I love Whistler.
3) Club Sona. Montreal, Quebec
(I think that was the name)
Alright, I was reluctant to go here because I wasn't so much into urban hip hop. I had one of my best times here. Its an after hours club. Lots of people, expensive cover charge, no drinks.... but good times; thats all the matters :)
4) The Base. London,ON
I used to go there when I was underage and dance my ass off to jungle, drum and bass and breakbeats.
5) La Rumba. Veradero, Cuba
Ladies pay NO cover, and everyone drank for free all night. The only thing I had to pay for was the toilet paper I had too use, and the cab back to my hotel. Plus, the bar was open all night.
Question: Where is the Wreck'd Room?
Posted by: Janelle on May 27, 2003 02:02 PM
Ok kids:
#5) The Queen's (Stratford, On) I walk in, everybody goes, "Norm" then they pour me a Moosehead. Ahh the hometown Pub...
#4) A.J.'s Hanger (Kingston, On) Excellent venue I still miss being hammered and looking up at the planes (full sized real planes!) hanging from the ceiling.
#3) The Shot (Kingston, On) I was a drunk frat-boy who played pool and listened to good live bands. $2 Tuesday's destroyed my liver for 4 solid years...
#2) The Green Room (Toronto, On) A dive but a dive with some character. Couches prevalent. Relaxed Candle-lit chill.
#1) The Horsehoe Tavern (Toronto, On) A legend in the Big Smoke hosting every band that was, will be, could be or is any good.
Honourable mention: (Do after hours bars count?) The Matador - Toronto, On) It's nice to stumble home and pop in on the old boozecan on the weekends for a couple more drinks. Plus the clientele is mental, Last year during the Film Festival - Hell's Angels, Harrison Ford, 2/5 of N-Sync, Minnie Driver and Al...
Posted by: Sweet Al on May 27, 2003 01:49 PM1. The Townehouse-Sudbury
My all time favorite place to play! Paul and the staff take the best care of the bands playing there. Plus, they only take quality acts, so getting a gig is hard. (must know someone, etc)
The crouds are great, the music is key, the beers are cheap...need i say more??
2. The Loop -Windsor
This place has true laid back class.
Sofas everywhere!!!!!Must i go on???
To say they only have premium acts there is an understatement. One word: Tool
One huge room, a hundred sofas, great music and loose american women!! What a bar!!!
3. Rock City -Nottingham, England
The city that Robin Hood built is centered around this bar!!! Another huge room (plus several levels
with other small bars playing industrial, goth, etc) this bar is legendary in the eastern hemisphere for houing every major rock band to ever don a guitar. Chances are my aunt and uncle have seen your favorite band in this 2000 capacity venue. Jealous??
4. Flares -Grimsby, England
Ask Matty, this bar was heaven for us, who are fans of the 70's funk era. We were transported there as soon as we entered the bar.
The most colourful bar i've been in, Flares has funk and disco blaring at 1 in the afternoon, housing multiple level dance floors and four seperate bars intermingled amongst them.
There is no place in the bar that is not potentially a flo' for rug slicin'!
Plus they sell 17inch afros and glo sticks at the door!! Key? I think so!!
5. Wylders -North Bay
This bar has got me laid more times than i care to admit.
I will say no more
My hands-down favourite bar?
WRECK'D ROOM, London, Ontario Canada!
Posted by: Zorbs on May 27, 2003 12:39 PM