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 You know that feeling, it’s a Friday night, there’s nothing good on the tube and you wanna kick back with a tall cold one and catch some up-and-coming band rip the roof off the joint. The beer better be cold, the place a bit grungy and the women oh-so-fine. We are not talking the MTS Centre or the casinos here, we wanna get close enough to feel them sweat.
Here, my brothers, are the best haunts at which to catch a live band in River City.
Rawk and Punk
The Zoo
This has been a rocker bar since the dawn of time. The stage is cramped, the roof too low and the sight lines are crap but it is usually packed and bands play long, loud and heavy. Catch Winnipeg’s Sick City or The Harlots.
The Royal Albert Arms There is talk of renovating this old room. I wonder if that’s wise? The only thing holding it together is the dirt. Everyone has played here from Nirvana to The Weakerthans. Today make sure you see The Waking Eyes or Sons of York.
Blues
The Windsor is Blues Central in this town and Winnipeg has a pile of great performers from Big Dave McLean to The Perpetrators playing weekly. Order draft by the table-full and call a cab.
Pubs
Shannon’s Irish Pub is anything but Irish, hosting rock, alternative, jazz, blues and folk bands, including Blair Hordeski, the demented bluegrass of the D. Rangers and Mark Reeves.
The Kings Head Pub
Good food, dark pints and great music on the second floor. Located right downtown in the Exchange, this is the real deal.
Coffee Houses
Maybe it’s the girlfriend you need to get out for a bit o’ music and fun. Take her to the Academy Bar & Eatery, share a plate of nachos and catch Cara Luft, Christine Fellows or Scott Nolan—she’ll love it and maybe you.
Jazz
Buccacino’s Restaurant is the newish home of the famed Monday Night Hang, with jazz prof Steve Kirby presiding over the best jazz players the city has to offer.
Nothing beats the Palm Room at the Fort Garry Hotel for class, elegance and great scotch. Call them to see when the next jazz trio is playing and go, go, go daddy-O.
Small Concerts
The West End Cultural Centre is the place for small concerts. Tables or concert seating is cool, no seating sucks. Catch Inward Eye, Romi Mayes and lots of touring international acts. Remember all the staff are volunteers, so tip big.
Roots
It’s gotta be Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club for roots music. Nathan, the Dust Poets, or Dan Frechette are all great bets. Get there early or expect to be standing outside—in the cold—on Main Street. Luckily VJ’s Drive-In is nearby.
DJs and Hip Hop
If the beats are the thing, then try the Pyramid, the Vibe Nightclub or Empire Cabaret. Catch DJ Hunnicutt or DJ Co-op for a booty shakin’ good time.
Folk
The Folk Exchange is run by the Winnipeg Folk Festival so you know its gonna be great. Catch Alana Levandoski, James Keelaghan, or go learn to play the harmonica at a workshop.
Did I tell yah I’ve seen Inward Eye seven times? I did? Oh. What about the time Streetheart had to get to the stage by jumping from pool table to pool table because the bar was so packed? Or the time I spent drinking with John Hammond at the Albert and I played harmonica for him? Hey, wait…where are you going? I’ve got a million more.... |
