What do you think of this project?

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  • Total voters
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Perhaps younger generations don't drink as much but they crave community spaces as much as anyone. Frank's Pub over on 99th seems to be doing really well, particularly as functioning as a 3rd space to meet up with friends. Went there a few times this summer on random week days and it was packed every time. I could totally see something like that do well here.

Plus the End Zone pub happily existed only a stones throw from here for ages.
I knew the owner of the End Zone. Me and some friends ran DJ events there years ago for a few months because he was desperately trying to get more than just the VLT crowd in. A side from Elks home games and the few concerts that Commonwealth has each year, that place was dead 90% of the time
 
I knew the owner of the End Zone. Me and some friends ran DJ events there years ago for a few months because he was desperately trying to get more than just the VLT crowd in. A side from Elks home games and the few concerts that Commonwealth has each year, that place was dead 90% of the time
To be fair, as you'd probably know, the last ~decade of its existence it was ROUGH in there and the food was awful. Hard to know what to attribute to area vs quality of offering. Likely both.

When I lived in Virginia Park, some friends and I would walk to the End Zone on occasion since there was nothing else around. But by the mid 2010s we finally decided it wasn't even worth going because it was badly rundown inside, lowkey smelled like piss near the bar, and there often was a guy out front/beside the daycare selling drugs to people who'd go in the washrooms to use. And we loved going to the Strat on Whyte so it's not like we didn't love a dive bar but there had to be some redeeming factors and the End Zone sure didn't offer many.
 
When I was at Duggan's Boundary this evening, I suggested to my server that they open a 2nd location in Stadium Yards. She says it's doable, but but fears that an Irish pub in a new building will result in a lack of atmosphere, which is why they are always located in a pub space that's been around for decades.
That’s actually… pretty spot on. Not only is the modern architecture a tad soulless, but a newly-built space means higher leases, which gets reflected in drink prices and covers.
 
The downtown O'Byrnes opened in the decades-long Rose & Crown pub space.
It may not be a new space persay, but it certainly has the look and feel of one. It has zero soul and personality to it. The tall ceiling with the exposed concrete beams, plumbing & HVAC don't help at all. True Irish pubs have a warm, cozy and inviting feel to them through their wood paneling and interesting decor. The industrial look of the ceiling doesn't do that at all
 
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When I was at Duggan's Boundary this evening, I suggested to my server that they open a 2nd location in Stadium Yards. She says it's doable, but but fears that an Irish pub in a new building will result in a lack of atmosphere, which is why they are always located in a pub space that's been around for decades.
That's a pretty valid thought for their particular niche. Part of the reason I think a Frank's style place would be a better fit for stadium yards.
That being said, there are a bunch of cool older commercial buildings around the area that could make a sweet pub with some imagination. A bunch along 111th or fort road. The now empty insurance building in Highlands could be awesome. Just look at how Nuestra has rocked it with the old Plutonic Granite space. Lots of possibilities in the neighbourhood.

And I think it's clear there is the demographic for it in part thanks to stadium yards. Felice has been bumping, and I've even noticed a major change in the demographic at Stadium Station, much younger and more affluent than just a few years ago.
 
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You just described what's wrong with the downtown O'Bryne's
Interesting. When I went there once for a night on the town, I was mainly dismayed by how small the actual dance floor was and how far the place is from the rest of the Downtown nightlife. It’s clearly just a restaurant with a bar meant to capitalize off of the pre-/post-Oilers game rush.
 
Interesting. When I went there once for a night on the town, I was mainly dismayed by how small the actual dance floor was and how far the place is from the rest of the Downtown nightlife. It’s clearly just a restaurant with a bar meant to capitalize off of the pre-/post-Oilers game rush.

O'Byrnes is just a few steps away from Joey, Guru and the ICE District plaza with Icehouse and the Banquet, so it's not like it's in an isolated location.
 

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