Has anyone been inside the Legion on Sargent? I walk by all the time but it seems so uninviting that I've never gone in to check it out. If they have cribbage I'd like to go and play some of the old timers sometime and see if I can hold my own (or not!). I've heard there's a lot of legions and various clubs that have social events and stuff but I don't know where to find them. Where are the ones around the West End or Downtown? Hows the legion in the Exchange, is it just for going in and having a cheap drink?
I was just thinking that today !! I passed it on the way to the street fest (wasn't even sure if was still open or not). Tonight I was out looking for new pubs near my place, tried flea whisky's and then though - Legion on Sargent but figured it might close early or something. I did read on the door earlier today that they have a bingo Fri and Sat at 2pm - try irt out for a game of bingo and you'll get a sense of it. <br> <br> Unfortunately, the Legion on Smith and the ANAVETS on Fort both closed. I like a Legion - it's the same crowd and same activities whether you're in Churchill, Brandon or Winnipeg. The one on Nairn has a really nice darts area.
Actually, I have to say that I am disappointed with the lack of pubs in my area. The onyl moderate bright spot is Papa Guido's pizza place on Ellice near Arlington. It's open til 1 or so, it's licenced and has super cheap pizza and beer. Atmosphere, though, is like a Chicken Delight unfortunately.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: mrchristian</cite>Actually, I have to say that I am disappointed with the lack of pubs in my area. The onyl moderate bright spot is Papa Guido's pizza place on Ellice near Arlington. It's open til 1 or so, it's licenced and has super cheap pizza and beer. Atmosphere, though, is like a Chicken Delight unfortunately.</blockquote>
reminds me of the old "Tasty Bite" on Maryland before it burnt down.
I heard they didnt have insurance.... thier piza was shit anyways...but what do you expect for $1 a slice...
Was a good time I was there last time the legion some charcters but thats what makes it entertaining, not sure now as that was 5 yrs ago dart tourney. Rockwood ANAF is nice lots doing there on Wilton by Grant Park.
The greatest problem the legions face is the folks they were intended for have all but died off. I wonder if they'll be able to keep them open much longer.
FreakyGirl there was a recent feature on the proliferation of sports clubs along (Sergeant) I think. I'm not sure that you'd enjoy them. You might have a great idea for a social club though. One not necessarily associated with a particular sports team, or country. One for common folk to hang, play crib or chess, chat. Watch the Bomber game. Not sure it would be viable but it might be interesting. Maybe the New Winnipeg Social Club?
I may check out a bingo game there then and see for myself. I would love to find a social club to hang out at, but I would be afraid it would just be a pick up joint which I'm not interested in. I've never been to X-Cues, whats it like? Woman friendly? (not in the sense of "hey baby women are welcome" either!!) What other sports clubs are there along Sargent? I wish more of the private clubs were open to women, I'd join one for sure.
Also, I saw a place called Gamers Lair, anyone been there before? I noticed they have board games nights every Thursday. I'm a bit concerned it would be mainly teenagers that go though.
I would dearly love to join the Transcona Legion, its only half a block away from me, crib tournies, bluegrass jam sessions every Saturday night, all things I like........but alas I have no one with a military record in my family and would need to go through a whole rigamarole to join, need to find 2 sponsors, send forms to Ottawa, etc etc. If they would make it easier for folks like me I think they could blossom again, but then we're defeating the true purpose are we not? Between a rock and a hard place comes to mind.
I've never had to become a member of a Legion to enter the place. Is it possible EastSider you can still partake without joining? I don't think it would defeat the purpose by allowing them to thrive again. In fact it would do a world of good for some to meet with our veterans and talk to them about their experiences.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: EastSider</cite>.but alas I have no one with a military record in my family</blockquote> That rule was changed a few years back I believe. I think that for people without military you just have to be "sponsored" by a member (and I am sure they'll find a sponsor). <br> <br> I once had a tour of the Lord Roberts Legion on S Osborne. At the time they were either the , or one of the, fastest growing Legions in Canada. They hired a manager who computerized all of their accounts, reached out to the community around them for event rentals, had movie nights for kids.... they made themselves a part of the community beyond just a traditional Legion. Not sure how things are now but at the time it seemed like a good model. The one on Sargent should have a huge Euro 2008 sign outside the place right now. Hundreds of soccer fans converging on the area, not all of them Portugal fans but want to be near the action .... it would be a perfect place to go. <br> <br> X Cues is nice, similar to a social club but no membership. Nice place to go for an expresso. They show F1 races as well as soccer. Seems to attract both sexes.
Thanks for the info Grumpy and Mr C! I'm going to see what exactly the process is for joining. I would love to sit down with the old veterans and hear their stories.....the time is coming quickly when they'll all be gone.
I'm reading "Fifteen Days: Stories of Bravery, Friendship, Life and Death from Inside the New Canadian Army" by Christine Blatchford. Aside from the scale of the fighting, this could be about WW II.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: Grumpy_Old_Guy</cite>These days, war veterans could be twenty two years old. Don't forget we are fighting a war in Afghanistan...</blockquote>True that GOG.
It sounds like there is a real need for neighbourhood pubs in Winnipeg.
Someone should start buying up the legions and turn them into $5-lifetime-membership pubs like the King's Head and give people a place to hang out and socialize without the distraction of dozens of plasma screens and blaring music.
Have some decent finger foods and a decent selection of draught and scotch and you will probably attract enough people from the after work crowd.
Add a couple crib boards, dart boards and a couple cups full of poker dice and people might hang around until later into the evening.
The King's head is no longer a $5 membership private club...it changed some time ago and now holds a cabaret license. It also has plasmas now. Shame, really, as there is a real dearth of pubs in Winnipeg.
Also, browsing the Liquor Control Act (or whatever it's called), a cabaret license requires that the "entertainer" be the main focus of all patrons for at least two hours a day: this works on the second floor, but not the first?