West Island Bars of the 1980s
For all of you out there who wanted to know, listed below are some of the popular West Island (Montreal) bars of the 1980's that I frequented with my friends. Tonight, I received an email request out of the blue. This person was looking for the name of the bar that burnt down in the mid-80s and that had live shows. Man, I lost count of the bars that burnt down! He googled some search terms and came across my web site. Oddly enough "pointe-claire", "bar", and "burnt" will show the link to my bio as the second web link. Nice... He'd thought I know of the place he was thinking of. It turned out I do know. It was a popular place known as The Maples. It actually burnt to the ground before I got a chance to visit the place, on the inside at least. I think it was gone in the spring of 1985. (FYI, If anyone knows the exact month let me know. Thanks, Derek.) So this request got me thinking of all the places I've been, and I thought I'd share this will all you kiddies out there.
Actually, I almost went to The Maples one evening but never reached the place. I was just walking home from Chez Paul's (a skanky bar near my high school) one evening in 1983 . Finding the walk home a bit long, I hitch-hiked and was quickly picked up. I think this was the first and last time I actually stuck out my thumb. The driver and friends soon shared a nice cool can of Budweiser and offered to drive me to The Maples as this was their destination. I respectfully declined and I was let out at Westminister Ave. and St. John's (By the way, mom, I kept the beer -- and it was good). All in all, hitching was a good experience that evening.
We all had fun in the eighties. The music was good and the bar owners and bouncers were not overly-concerned with the age of its patrons. I think the nightlife started to go downhill, in my opinion, when Victor Davis, the Olympic swimmer, got into a street fight and was run down in the road and killed. Tragic. That evening in November 1989 pretty much signalled an end to 'the party' in the West Island and closed out the decade on a sombre note. Anyway, here is the, by no means exhaustive, list of bars:
- The Maples (Pointe-Claire)
- The Edgewater Inn, and The Marina (Pointe-Claire)
- The Pioneer (Pointe-Claire) I saw April Wine there many times.
- Shawn's Pub (Kirkland, off of St. Charles Blvd.) (It's a raid!!! was often heard.)
- Quai Sera (Ste-Anne de Bellevue)
- Annie's (Ste-Anne de Bellevue)
- Cousineau's Tavern (Ste-Anne de Bellevue) No women allowed and the pickled tongue was to die for
- Cheers (St. John's Blvd.)
- Chi Chi's (Margaritas and Nachos) (St. John's Blvd.)
- Chez Paul (Pierrefonds)
- The Manoir (Pointe-Claire)
- The Residence / Rez (Pierrefonds)
Photos of the Maples Inn courtesy of Derek Dranfield.
posted by John MacDonald at
Monday, December 13, 2004
125 Comments:
Hi,
I misspent my youth at the Maples Inn. We used to call it "The mapes" and you could go to the "Caboose" part, a bar area, or the live music side. The caboose was where we usually started the night, cozying up to the bar, getting drinks from "Mado", I think her name was, a fixture in that place all the years I went there.
On the live music side, hard rock bands played, there was often a small cover charge, and the music was always hard and loud!
I started going there in 1976, and spent many weekends there til the early 80's when I moved away.
Great memories, kinda fuzzy, tho!
Ahhh... the memories. Thanks for sharing your comments.
-jwm
Hi John
I grew up in Pierrefonds ( Riverdale High ) sure you know of it..
I’m pretty sure the Maples burnt down in the spring of 1985…
Spent many nights from ‘76-’83, They had great acts play there like Brian Adams,
Lover Boy ( never a fan ) Pin Ups, ( the band Sass Jordan was launched from ).
Levon Helm, just to mention a few. Battle of the bands was always a favorite.
I have a few Photos you might like to post…
Take Care, Derek
Hey there, Derek. I would not mind posting a photo or two. Email me. The band that launched Sass Jordan was The Box, I believe.
John - Sass was in The Pinups (all girl) and later The Box. But, essentially, it WAS The Box that launched her career.
Thanks, IQNiller. Did the Pinups receive airplay on Montreal radio? Were they a cover band? or have original material?
Hi,
Just stumbled on your sight. Pure fluke. I only ever went to the Maples a couple of times. Had to be late 70s, early 80s because I was still in high school. The Pinups, when I saw them, was Sass and some not terribly masculine guy but I wouldn't say "all girls". That might have been before or after, don't know but I know it was a few years before I ever heard her on the radio. The local groups we used to make the special trek out to the Maples for (back then I was a "downtown only" girl) were Traxis (mostly rock covers, some original), The Rick Burnett (Burness?) Band (did Jethro Tull, Yes, "progressive rock" covers) and some other group whose name now escapes me completely, though I loved them at the time. They had an original song called "Simple Man". I also might have seen Luba at the Maples. I could be mistaken, might have been downtown (The Mustache or Pretzels or some other place). Any of that sound familiar?
Nice to see I'm not the only one who still remembers those times. :)
Hello Kel,
I almost forgot about Luba. Can't confirm if she played at the Mapes. Maybe? Wondering if she'll ever have a comeback à la Sass?
Was the Pin Ups an all girl band? I remember Sass Jordan playing in a band with 3 guys. I think that the lead singer and lead guitar was a guy named Sean O'Donovan.
As for Luba, she was from Lachine. She played the Canada Day concert about 10 years ago in Lachine. I haven't heard anything new from her in years. I wonder what she's up to?
The first day of the CBC strike, the management were playing only Canadian music in the morning on Radio One and Luba's 'Let it Go' played.
It brought back a lot of memories from long ago. The world needs more Luba. (hehehe) As for the CBC strike...who knows.
I do like where this thread is going, however. Nice to see people are searching the internet for bars of the West Island...or more likely, Sass Jordan or even Luba.
-John
A more complete history of The Maples Inn can be found at http://www.alanrhodes.com/journals/mapes.html
It burnt down on February 8, 1985. The neighbours had champaign ready.
An audio sample of a Mapes bouncer at work from July 4, 1975 can be heard at http://www.alanrhodes.com/Mapes_bouncer_750704.mp3
The lead guitar of the Pin-Ups was Sean Donnally, not Sean O'Donovan.
Alan,
Thanks for the clarification on the Pin-Ups. Your website is AMAZING! Your journals are AMAZING! Well done.
What a great blog! Everything you talk about brings back so many memories. The Edge, The Marina, The Pionner (including the Disco), Shawn's Pub, The Manoir - most of them gone now. Do you remember before Annie's was Annie's it was called the Pisse Dru? Do you remember Dag's in Pointe Claire Village (across the street from The Pioneer). I went to BHS and the Pin-Ups played at one of our dances - Sass Jordan and Sean Donnelly, etc.. amazing!! We had great rock and roll talent on the West Island. And roller skating at Caesar's Palace behind Fairview. Remember Fairview Cinemas? Oh gosh, I could go on all day. Thanks for the memories!!
@Anonymous, thanks for dropping by and for leaving your comments. Always appreciated. Not that I know Alan Rhodes or anything but go to his website for more Montreal memories from his youth. www.alanrhodes.com
Feel free to leave your own favourite memories of mis-spent youth at Montreal bars of the West Island here next time...
Hi,stumbled across your webb site and wow the memories.I used to visit the mapes regularly in the 70's although alot of it is blurred as you might understand I remember a really good progressive band called good gaud and I used to draw for them while at the mapes.I was hoping to go onto album covers but alas real life kicked in and I moved to England.My brother pete dowse played with alot of bands back then and is still currently with mahogany rush and frank marino great site hope to hear from anyone who remembers pdowse@hotmail.co.uk
Anybody remember a band called "Crackers" who played at the Mapes in the early 80's I think. One player would wear a small TV on his head with a mirror in the front of it and another player had a third leg attched to his suit.Anyway they played a song called "grace" that had the audience howling with laughter.
The Crackers...now that'a a new one to me. Perhaps someone will chime in with a response soon?
This page is oddly popular with those wishing to recapture their lost booze-addled memories.
Does anyone remember when they had a best lead guitar player contest at the Mapes with the winner receiving a brand new Fender "Lead 2" guitar.If I scratch my brain hard enough It all comes back. I was there most weekends partying or playing on jam nite with varoius local musicians towards the end.NC.
I never made it inside the Maples Inn however I spent lots of time down at the waterfront. My grandparents lived down the street and I believe my parents had their wedding reception there in 1955.
Like everyone else, I've often wondered what happend to the people and places we grew up with on the West Island. Our family moved in 1976 and since then I've lost track of my old pals from BHS.
After leaving Quebec I was told that one of my old school mates David McNally played in The Pinups for a while. I'm not sure if it was during the same period that Sass was in the band or not. But I do know for sure that at the age of 15/16 Dave was an excellent guitar player.
I do remember seeing "Crackers" perform at Seneca College (Toronto). Outrageous! Another band from that period was "Lady".
Thanks for the memories!
I only briefly know of the scene on west island because I was very very young. But I came across this blog looking for more info on Caesear's Palace as I remember as a child going to that roller skating rink. It was a lot of fun!
Plus my dad was also the DJ there, Lance (DJ Lance Romance).
Any more info on that spot would be appreciated.
Khadija Dawn Carryl
hennasooq@gmail.com
What a great surprise to find this web-site. You should know that my Pub was spelled Shawn's Pub and was located in Kirkland.We did get raided on a few occasions but in the 13 years that we operated not once did we ever get charged nor fined for any infractions.Luck of the Irish is was!!
Shawn...sorry for the typo (now fixed). Apologies for for being 17 and being in your establishment but it was fun in the 80s. My friends and I were NEVER responsible for the cops being at your place. I just want to clarify that. LOL!
Also, thanks for playing "How Soon is Now" by The Smiths so many times, too. That was cool - even you were probably not the DJ. Thanks for dropping by this page to comment on my weblog.
Anonymous said...
Anybody remember a band called Crackers"
Sure do!! I've got an MP3 of Gracie. This song is the only reason I stumbled onto this site. I was looking for information about Crackers for someone in Sacramento, CA. It goes like this:
The square brackets are one of the guys in a deep burly voice.
[Alright listen up people, here's a song we'd like to dedicate to all the girls, to make them blush, to the brightest red. And all the perverted minds out there. Alright lets hit it.
I'm glad...I'm glad too.]
{chorus}
I'm glad you've got lots of money Gracie
[Sing it out loud]
Cuz you're so scuzzy you make my balls contract
[Oh]
Although you've got no body and no face
[Oh christ]
You don't care if we love ya
[Love ya..love ya]
For nothin' but your money
Dear old Grace.
{end of chorus}
Here's a story very bold
[Ya I bet]
And it's very rarely told
[Well tell us all about it we're all waitin']
About a girl I know name Grace
[Ya I think I met her a couple of times]
And how she sits upon your face
[What a nice feeling]
She's gots tits like camels balls
[Oh my god]
They swing and sway against the walls
[Send her up to my room]
Her face is like a maggots dream
[Oh on second thought forget it]
Full of boils puss and cream
[Squeeze them pimples]
{chorus again}
She's a nymphomaniac
[What the hell is that]
She sticks the clothes right up her crack
[Oh that's what it is]
And even worse than that
[Don't tell me she's perverted]
She balled a corpse and it came back
[Wow, I'm feelin' good now]
Grace went to the farm
[What's she up to now guys]
She took the bulls in the barn
[She's playin' with that horn]
She lined them up in a row
[1..2..3..4..5]
And tied their balls in a bow
[Oh my god]
Now ain't that sweet
[Just like a box of candies you get for your birthday]
Grace is tying up the meat
[Ya especially these days when it's so long]
She took a picture couldn't wait
[She took her Poloroid out]
She took it home to masturbate
{chorus again}
I just uploaded it for your enjoyment. I don't know how to make it a clickable link in HTML.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=P1FFDY2K
Good Lord! Now that's a ditty.
This is a really great site. Glad I stumbled. I grew up in Pointe Claire and yes I started going to the Mapes at the age of 15 back in late 70's opps I should of been in school. Anyway I dated a guy that used to bounce there (no cover charge for me)He also bounced at the Edgewater. I met him again 25 years later and we got married last November. I remember the bands loverboy, streetheart, levon........stayed until closing all the time and then we would head to the border.
Sheryl Martin then now its Sheryl Kaye
Thanks for dropping by, Sheryl. Congratulations to you on the marriage to Mr. Kaye.
Wishen' I would have caught Streetheart back then: Classic. Canadian. Music.
WOW! I stumbled on this page looking for the old band Crackers. I can't believe that someone had the song around. I'd LOVE the whole album. They were actually fantastic at covering other bands to a "T". I remember their versions of Alan Parsons songs. Plus I remember the drummer running around the audience playing everything around for a drum solo. Even saw him play a woman's chest once. That was in Winnipeg at a bar called the Black Knight. Great memories.
Thanks for the song!
Glenn
Talk about flashbacks, those weekends that usually started with the words, "does everyone have their fake i.d.?" We had some great times in the Black Knight too! Had to be careful once you went outside tho, lol. How great to see pics of the Mapes, I'll bet it brings back heaps of great memories to alot of folks, fun times.. Is it possible that anyone has pictures of some of the other bars, like Shawn's? I'd love to see them too. Thanks for the site John!
@tuffnuttocrack: I agree - more pics please.
Nice to see that the old Mapes. though long dead, is not forgotten. I played in a few bands in the late 70s and early 80s and we always loved to play the Mapes - a guaranteed good time and party! I knew Sean Donnelly, ex of the Pinups, and played in a band with him a few years after that (Fabulous Squareheads - never did much). Long live the Mapes
Hi
I remember seeing Crackers in Woodstock. They played Pink Floyd and they all wore clear masks on their faces during the song. I had bought teh 44 of Gracie at eh bar (do not have it any more0. I Hav eone of teh lp's Hard on you. I am trying to find out what heir names are./
Cheers
Chuck
My brothers and I worked at the Maples during its hayday,I'm not sure if the sound track you have of the bouncer is not me, anyway I have the news paper with the burning of the Maples, it was Feb 7th 1985, I also have the records of Crackers (if you want to put a sound track on your site let me know)
The Maples Inn was the birthplace of Rock And Roll in Montreal, for many years after it was gone I held a reunion for its patrons at local bars, maybe its time to do it again, I'll wait for your input on this before I make a move on it, keep this great web site going,
Cheers
Peter Angrove
PS. Shawn O'leary where are you now ?
Happy New Year!
Peter, if you want to host the track of Crackers, feel free to put a link here in the comments. Thanks for dropping by to share your memories.
Hi I was a patron of Mapes back in the seventies. Great place to party. Last day I left town the manager let me and my buddy ride our harleys on the dance floor and the band played born to be wild.
I have a network at facebook.com called "Maples Inn Crowd". Drop by and say hello.
http://crackersweb.com/
I got this link from a previous band member I emailed recently. Looks like Crackers is still playing out.
Glenn
Ooops...they deleted my post. Musta said something wrong...:D
For those of you that remember the band "CRACKERS", here's an email address of the band leader regdenis260@hotmail.com They are still rockin and touring constantly. If you want a great fun night of entertainment, a really entertaining act, email Reg (band leader), for a list of upcoming show dates which are never listed on the website (only dates in Florida are there). Also, they have two new c.d.s which you can get through him only. You will love these tunes!! Also, you can get their two albums tunes there as well.
May you never stop playing, you Crackerhead you!!
John:
Just stumbled on this myself. Very interesting and great to see comments from Shawn O’Leary, Dave Angove and a few others I recognize from the old days. Nice to know the place made a difference. I also have a lot of fond memories of the “Mapes” and will never forget the place. I had my first illegal beer in the “Pub” one sunny afternoon in 1967.
I also remember having to fight city hall and a few of our neighbours who felt we were breaking a few of the City’s noise laws. Often, Peter Leupold, my manager, Bob Beaupre and a posse of some of Pointe Claire’s finest doorman and bouncers would find some of our more persistent neighbours skulking around the property with sound meters. Of course, this had to be put down to a lack of appreciation for good Rock and Roll or a lack of sense of humour.
The result was always the same, a complaint, a summons, a day in court and a feeble explanation as to why it was absolutely necessary for “Powder Blues Band” or the like to be playing ear shattering music at 3 am on a Wednesday evening. Always a few problems but always a good time. Like most, I wouldn’t trade those days or those memories for anything.
I was very sorry to hear about the passing of Bob Beaupre, probably the one person who knew more and cared more about the “Mapes” than anybody I have ever met. He was a walking encyclopaedia about the place and I’m sure he’s back drinking in the pub as I write this.
I have some old memorabilia, pictures, menus, ect. kicking around, which I would be happy to post. I no longer live in Canada, so it may take me some time to dig them out but if you would let me know how to get them to you I will.
Glad I found this.
Brian L. Newman
Brian,
Thanks for the great comments. Sorry to hear about the passing of Bob Beaupre. You can contact me re. pics at john(at)johnwmacdonald.com
PS
See also http://themaplesinn.blogspot.com/
and
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20773256656&ref=ts (you probably have to set up a facebook account though.)
I'm another one who stumbled across this site while out surfing about. Upthread someone mentioned The Rick Burness Band. I replaced Rick when he left and the name was shortened to just BURNESS.
We did a number of gigs at the Mapes in the early 80s and they were almost always a blast. The only one that wasn't was when I was told between the second and third sets that my father had died. That was about 26 or 27 years ago now. Obviously I'll never forget where I was.
I think about the Mapes a lot. One of my fondest memories is of finding out Miles Goodwin of April Wine had been there all evening watching us play. I'm glad he didn't leave after the first number, lol!
I was very sad to hear about the Mapes burning down. May it live on in our memories forever!
Charlie
Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment, Charlie. Thanks for the info and your story. Cheers, mate.
Really a great blog i used to work at the mapes as a doorman and have lots of great memories of the place
Like Dutch Mason ,Powder blues,Downchild ,Loverboy,Brian Adams.
I met lots of great people while i was their and made lots of friends although some of the women called me Mr Id but that was my job.
Chris if you or your wife ever read this contact me on facebook
Mike Roy
Mike Roy,
Thank you for coming by to share you story. I am sure many people remember you.
-John
John,
Good times at the Mapes filled my early adult years. I remember all the bands mentioned as I was there 5 to 7 nights a week for about 5 years in the late 70's early 80's. One of my favorate regular bands then (not mentioned) was Frank Soda and the Imps (Zeppelin,Hendrix cover mostly) I had him jump up on my table once, down my beer and play some amazing riffs using my EMPTY beer as a slide. Cool Memories, Never Forgotten!
Doug Burne
Doug,
Glad to hear to your story about the Mapes. Nimble bugger, eh?Jumping on your table and all. ha!
John,
Great site, the memories came flooding back. I left the West Island in 2001, and live in Munich, Germany now.
My buddies Steve and Dave from Dorval worked and partied at the Mapes in the early eighties, and I had the good fortune of joining them on some great nights there.
I just wanted to add two more acts: 'See Spot Run', think they were mainly a cover band then, but have released original material and had some airplay in Canada in more recent years. And Corey Hart (the week before he opened for Culture Club at the Forum). Incidentally, Corey said he was going to kick Boy George's ass.....not sure if he ever got around to it.
Cheers,
Andy
p.s. agree with you that the music was really good at Shawn's. Could always count on hearing The Smiths, Simple Minds, Level 42, P-Furs, etc.
I can believe it's been almost four years since my original post and the comments are still coming in to this day.
The Smiths, Simple Minds, Level 42, P-Furs... ah, the 80s.
Can't believe this many people interested in the Maples...I worked there for a couple years, and had some fantastic times and experiences as many other people did! anybody know where Karston is?
CRACKERS IS STILL FEELIN GOOD!! I need them back in my life...now that was a band!I will never forget them.
Wow! The Mapes was once my home, between 1978-1983. We use to live on top floor. My dad was the repair man "FERN" and my mom the cook at the restaurant.I made alot of my friends jealous about staying at the Maple Inn. I have alots of stories about this amazing HOTEL!!
Sylvain Martel
Hello Sylvain Martel,
Wow, you probably *do* have some interesting stories! Please feel free to write them here or on another page like http://themaplesinn.blogspot.com/
or
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20773256656&ref=ts
Merry Christmas!
Wow, Just got hooked to this link thru FACEBOOK yesterday... So many great memories and some kind of foggy ones too. I worked there back in 1975 I think,19 yrs old and way out of my league... with folks you all may remember... Steve Bush, Carl, Mado, Kathy,Lance,Steve Trainer,Andy Drulas, Andy Moshonas,Mel, Mike and his bro... don't have the last name.
Someone mentioned the Caboose and being served by Mado... I think when Mado was there, that side of the bar was renamed "The Pub Side".
The Caboose part was integrated into the Pub that used to be the dining room. The Caboose, That narrow long room on the left side of the hotel, is where maybe you'd find the more exotic substances.
Yup, Some good times for sure! Too many to get to all at once.
Hi there...enjoyed recalling some memories from your site. I noted the comment posted by Shawn O'Leary, owner of Shawn's Pub. Any chance you might have an e-mail address for him? We were friends in the late 60's/early 70's
Dave Rattray
drat@rogers.com
@ Dave:
No, don't have contact info for O'Leary. Sorry. Yup, this whole comment thing took on a life of its own. Nostalgia is powerful stuff.
I remember a band called "Ravenhed". They were amazing!!
This is a great site - I was looking for some info on the Mustache club - used to be on Lambert Closse downtown Montreal - I loved it there. All of the live music was the best - I was a groupie, my sister and I - loved those days!
I used to rollarskate too - but in Laval the Recreateque - oh to be young again! Those were the days!
Good heavens ... what an interesting blog ... Came across it while looking up references to The Maples and The Edgewater. Was astonished to find all that stuff on the Crackers. I was Music Director and a DJ at Vanier College (CEGEP) Radio, CKVR, back in the late 70's, and one of our DJ's came in with the Crackers LP he had gotten after a show at the Mapes. I swear, we wore the thing our playing "Grace" !!! Vanier (especially the Green Room) is probably still recovering ... !
Thanks for the memories ...
Rick Allard
wow, what a trip down memory lane! I had forgotten a lot of these great groups mentioned here. Didn't the Mapes also used to serve some awesome pizza by the slice in the main building, or am I just making that up?
What an awesome place it was though...hard to describe to my kids just how much fun we had there listening to great live music and hanging out with our friends, then ending up at Chenoys in the wee hours. Damn shame it's gone.
*waves to Shawn O'Leary* spent many many hours in your fine establishment as well!
thanks for your visit to my blog post, suziekew.
Maybe all the fascination with the Mapes is bcse she burned down while still in her prime. Kinda like Marilyn Monroe???
I think I only went there once bcse I was at Shawn's 3 to 8 nights a week... Cool to see a post from Shawn O'Leary here :-)
Btw, does anyone remember the MECHANICAL BULL at the Pioneer? Now that was an insurance claim just waiting to happen!!
Cheers all!
Saw the Pinups many times at the Mapes, Mustache and other venues in MTL in the late 70's. The band's drummer, David Hazan, was my brother Mark's older brother. They even played our Westmount High School dance in grade 11. Sass rocked, so did Shawn the guitarist. Good times.
So many great shows I saw at the Mapes and they were all enhanced by the substances we were doing in those days,lol.I remember the night it burnt down and when the doorman let us in he told us to leave early cause she was going to be lit up,we didnt understand what he meant.Well to our surprise it did go up in flames that night,what a drag so many great memories there.Shawn
Wow! Great Memories! I was the disk jockey at Dag's (mentioned above) from 1979 to 1985 (although it felt much longer than that!) Dag's was a brasserie and used to close at mignight, so many many nights after Dag's would close would me and a few friends head to the Mapes to watch live music - Pagliaro, Ian Thomas, Windjammer, Loverboy - and some of the local talent - The Big City Band, the Pinups, The Angry Young Ducks - What a Blast!
Thanks for visiting, Bob. Still have any vinyl from back then?
Wow, what a great find this site is. Like so many people I moved away from Montreal in the early eighties but most of the bars mentioned and particularly Shawn's pub and "The Mapes" hold particularly fond memories for me. Regarding the Mapes, where else could you go on a Sunday night and listen to LOUD but great music and have a great time. It was basically always Saturday night at that place. We used to go there and stay until around 1:00 AM or so and then jump on my father's sailboat and sail until sunup. Those were the days. At Shawn's pub I remember in particular the wild Halloweeen parties - for years they posted a picture of me in a large bunny outfit who'd had a few too many. Anyway, great memories reading the comments here. Good work!
I was the first DJ at the Maples Inn and played drums there, even opened for Jim Carrey on comedy night! Say high on Facebook; Allan Bruce Clark. Why don't we have a twenty- fifth reunion this year?It has been twenty-five years since the place burned down and since the first reunion party (that was really a PARTY!)at the International in Dorval.
Amazing: It will soon be five years of comments on a great original post. So, bump, just to keep it alive.
Ovideons were Maple's Inn patrons hanging out at Park Ovide, a few blocks away, in early 80's. That park had the great advantage of offering an outdoors fireplace, though logs were to be gathered from neighbor's backyards stocks.
Never needed an ID at the Mape's! I had a real beard that even fooled police officers during a rare raid: "Do you have IDs?""Sure, wanna see'em?""Nah, it's OK".
I was waiting for a few rock mags back then, did a nice piece with an interview with Carl who then put me on the permanent, all-access guest list.
Sheer luck, this must be flashback time: I just spent some hospital time in a room next to Brian, who was head doorman at Mustache. We had a full week of nostalgic story telling contest going on, not that much else to do.
And in the end, I realize what I miss the most from those days are Mapes Burgers, gently charred by Brigitte on the front deck BBQ on hot summer days, and a sweating cool pint of good beer to wash'em down.
Yes, it never ceases to amaze me at the number of people checking out this particular page on my blog. thank you for dropping by to comment, Pat.
I have the crackers 45 rpm that they sold at the mapes, the night of one
of their shows.
Also have a lamp fixture that used to hang on the wall just inside the
main doors.
It has a maple leaf pattern, anyone remember the fixtures?
WOW !!!!! This brings back so many memories for me. I played at the Mapes in the eighties for a 2 week gig, it was fantastic. My group was called "the Islanders" and we mostly played calypso and reggae music. Our home for 4 years was ythe Edgewater Hotel and performed in the "Vista Lounge" which was downstairs of the hotel. Great patronage and lots of fun, fun, fun...........thanks for the memories.
Wren.
OK, all these drinkers and rockers here and no mention of RockQuest located in the strip mall near St.John's and Hymus? Cmon, seriously?
RockQuest! RockQuest! RockQuest!
PS: I lived in LaSalle back then so downtown was closer. Ahhh, the Moustache across from the Forum, now THERE was a damn cool place to hang out and do a few doobies.
Does anyone remember "The Sattelite restaurant and bar"? it was located right around Dorval circle. I actually played there in the early eighties for a 2 week gig. Good food and at night nothing but dancing to the blues, rock or whatever the jukebox had in store for us. Every 2 weeks was a different band. Loud music and beautiful gals.
Ah, the good old days.
Here are some more bars:
-V Bar (from early 80s)
-La Kachette (old version before it became Bar Fonzie!)
-Naps
La Kachette! I went there with friends only in the early 1990s. Fun place, too.
Finding this site really blew me away. Took me back to some great memories.
I used to play at The Mapes all the time in the early eighties. I played bass in a band called Quickstep that was fronted by ex Angry Young Ducks singer Terry Wier. We were very popular at the club and coming in to play there was like being home. I started going there when I was 15 in '75. Used to love seeing The Big City Band. Saw plenty of great acts like Dutch Mason, Powder Blues Band,Traxis(though I prefered them at the Mustache)and The Parts. Think I saw Honeymoon Suite before the had a hit and Lover Boy. Miss that place and the times shared there. Will always be a special time in my life. My Father used to party there in the fifties. I moved to the States in dec 84. A friend told me it had burned down the following year. Really bummed me out. Thanks for bringing it all back to me. P.K.Donnelly.
Cool Site! Lots of memories..I was searching for info on Caesars Palace and found this site. I use to work there in the 70's, Lorne Caesar being my boss, then hooking up with Ron Bracken, and the opening of the Pioneer in Pointe Claire Village, and helping out with the music in the back disco part. Anybody else remember Marilyn's Lounge..(yes great toast cheeseburgers!) and the Green Hornet..!! I can remember sitting on those flimsy wooden chairs ordering Labatt 50 quarts...then driving home..to Valois..! All great memories and times..such a fun place to grow up in the 70's. Who remembers that great Tin Foil ceiling downstairs in the Marina..? Gotta love it! and that dreary hallway leading in..!!
Wow, I used to work at The Mapes - haven't seen a picture of the interior ever - memories!!!!
BTW
Sass Jordan was launched from the "Pinups," who consisted of 3 guys and her. Sass performed backing vocals with "The Box" but it was via the Pinups that she got signed.
I'm surprised nobody mentioned Walter Rossi. I worked the follow spot for him at the Mapes just before it closed. I even got to sleep in one of the rooms upstairs.
Someone also mentioned the pizza by the slice. Yup, they were sold by pizza girls walking around with their tray of pizza slices.
I was having a nostalgic morning when I decided to search the names of some of the places I worked (The Edgewater Transit Disco/Marina/Terrace/Longhorn, Dollard drive-In…) or hung out at (The Mapes,Pioneer, Shawn’s,the Kaleigh at John Abbott just to name a few) and I came across your blog...My family lived right across from the Maples Inn on Hillside avenue. I still remember watching Hill Street Blues when my sister walked in the house and said “aren’t you watching the fire?” She opened the heavy drapes we had on our living room windows to reveal the inferno going on right outside our door…It was a freezing cold winter night and one of my most vivid memories I have of that night was watching a few of our neighbours pouring themselves a glass brandy or cognac and toasting the death of an iconic building. The funniest thing that most people don’t know is that one of the women (the most vocal anti-maples inn neighbour) having a toast that night was celebrating because she was so happy that she would be getting a “better view of the lake” only to have what little view she did have of the lake be completely taken away by the townhouses that were built on the vacant lot a year or so later. Karma is a bitch Mrs.S. Many weekends, we would sit on our porch and watch the parking lot of the Mapes fill up for that weekend’s new act/band. We lived there from ’72 to ’86 and of all the bands/artists (April Wine, Bryan Adams, Offenbach just to name a few) that played there, the biggest draw ever was when Michel Pagliaro played there a few times in the late 70’s. Countless couples would sneak into our backyard to have a “quickie” and or plain pass out drunk on our front lawn….the stories I could tell. Thanks for the memories.
Ben
Wow! Such memories, and some really great times too (I think I remember most of them..ha ha) I was a regular at the Mapes, and definately remember many of the bands that played there, including Crackers. I also drank at the 'Pis-dru' in Ste Anne's. That was a great low end bar that rocked big time! Thanks for the remember when's, and I was just talking to someone who was speaking with Mado, she's apparently doing great! Greg Lamothe (greg@greglamothe.com)
came across this blogg and thought I'd add my memories... I used to go to the "Mapes" when I was like 15, had the fake ID and all. Loved the place and loved the Cabosse part as well. Went to PCHS once it was built and b4 that was bussed around to various schools. I too remember the "V" bar and, the Kachette and all the others. Boy it was fun growing up in the "West Island". I lived in Dollard. I know there are many more of us out there and really appreciate this blogg bringing back the memories. Thanks John
Rosina
Wow, wow, wow - what a trip down memory lane! I went to Mac High in the early 70's then moved to Huntingdon - some good bars there at that time also. While at Dawson College, hung at the Mustache, Grand Bock Brass, also at the Mapes - saw Long John Baldry, James Cotton, Dutchie Mason & Downchild there...too many others to mention. We really had the best times in whatever state of mind...nostalgia be damned - that was some fine music!
Thanks for bringing me back!
Wendy
thanks for leaving a comment and having a nice time reading the rest of the fine people's comments over the years since i first posted the original piece on some of the bars frequented in my younger days. It's always nice to hear from everyone who has some memories to share.
I remember one band called "Minglewood" at the Mapes, say them a few times I think, and each time the place was packed. I was living in Pierrefonds at the time, and another place was Napoleon's ( where the Bar B Barn is now. The last song on the night was either dueling banjos or "thank god , I m a country boy". then off to Chenoys for something to eat.
Keep this going! Good to know so many others have good memories too. Moved to Vancouver in 1982 so missed that sad night in '85-The Mapes was like a second home. In '66 a waitress at the Cartier Lounge was happy to have my girlfriend borrow an ID in the name of Brian. I kept a room at the Pointe Claire Hotel for $10/wk in '70 and drove the Edgewater Hotel shuttle to the remote parking lot at the foot of Cartier around '73. We had so much fun that I had to force people off at the hotel because the manager was wondering why no one got off the packed bus. My dad had his going away party at the Mapes before going overseas in WW11 and my friends and I bought quarts "to go" in brown paper bags from The Caboose in the '60s. One of the most memorable nights for me was seeing Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee in the late '70s shortly before they stopped touring and, yes, we went to Chenoys after-which incidentally was originally an A&W. One last thing-Did anyone else notice in 2006 that A&W had a short-lived steak burger that was very reminiscent of Marilyn's?
Ron Swinden
I do not usually post comments on line but I felt compelled to simply thank all of you for sharing your recollections of this area of Montreal. In my mind Montreal was the best place to be in the 70's. I lived in a few spots in the West Island and your stories sparked so many fond memories. We would go out to many of the bars mentioned. One or two every night of the week. To be young again. The Maples was a very special place because of the entertainment and even more so because of the people and staff. I still remember having too many drinks (once or twice) and Kathy (beautiful bar tender with the longest lovely hair) driving me home in her Corvette. I had a motorcycle accident in '83 and had to move away. I got together with a couple of ex Montrealer's the day we heard the sad news about the Maples burning down and raised a few glasses in memory of a magical time and place gone by. Whenever I visit Montreal I usually drive the Lakeshore Road and reminisce. Until the next time.
Jeff Morrison
Anyone recall a girl named Laurie who used to hang out at the Mapes in the 70's?
Wow, the memories everyone has evoked... I was a "pizza girl" at the Mapes in the mid eighties ( much to my parent's dismay) and stood in the street that cold February night as an icon burned to the ground. I was the 3rd generation of my family to patronize the Mapes through all its incarnations. I remember so many of the bands and the amazing staff mentioned in previous posts. The staff were like a family and we had some great times together. What an education! It's amazing to think oall the lives the place touched from it's early days as a supper club, to the infamous '70's (the shoot out with police when i was a kid!) to the "new wave" bands of the eighties. And fyi, us "pizza girls" not only flogged the slices but we made the pizzas too including dough from scratch!! Thanks for the trip down memory lane everyone. Cheers from a Pointe Claire "pizza girl" now in Victoria B.C. RIP Bob
Incredible. Finding this site brought back many memories of the Mapes and the Edge. I was known as the kid that hung out with John Blom who roadied with The Rabble. I was 15. One night the Mapes was raided since beer wasn't the only thing on the table and I ended up hiding behind the amps. Always had a good time there.
John, what a great site. I’m not normally given to posting comments online but here I am at 57 years old, reminiscing (as you do) about the year I spent living in the suburbs of Montreal as a childrens nanny (‘mothers help’ I think was the euphemistic term!) in 1979/1980. For that year, the Mapes was THE gathering place for me and a couple of other escapees from England (Bernadette Fitzpatrick and Debbie Johnson). I can honestly say that I’ve never found anywhere else like it since, wherever I’ve lived, and have often thought about it over the years. I was so sad a few years back to discover it had burned down. Anyway, It really WAS exactly how all of these posts have described it. I remember having so many mad and brilliant nights there and meeting some really great people. My memory for names is getting ropey, but the person that I remember most was (I think) called Phil who had a French Canadian surname, a lovely and very funny guy who I just hit it off with as soon as I met him (as friends) . And Murray (who’s cellar staircase I once fell down after mistaking it for the bathroom). And does anybody remember a new wave band called the Teddy Boys who played the Mapes a few times over that period and who Bernie and I made friends with. Before one of their gigs, I’d just received a mix tape from my sister in England, which had tracks on it from (the then groundbreaking) ska revival bands like The Specials, Madness and The Beat. I lent the tape to band member George Marian, who played it on repeat for about 4 hours during a lock-in at the Mapes after the gig, I can always remember their excitement at hearing this new sound. Afterwards we all drove up to the mountains at dawn and ended up extremely hungover sitting around a swimming pool, with me and Bernie wondering how the hell we were going to get back to our respective nanny duties without raising any suspicions about our rather dissolute behaviour! Good memories! The band did play some covers as well as their own songs, so I always wondered if they introduced ska into their repertoire later on! George and I kept in touch for a little while after I came back to England, but eventually lost touch. I think the band went down to LA eventually in the early 80s but have a feeling it didn’t work out for them sadly. Fab times, great people, and of course at the centre of it all, the Mapes, never forgotten. Cathy in Sussex, UK
Thank you for your story, Cathy. Still great to read the comments after all these years have past. The post is definitely all about your comments and shared memories -- and not about my original brief nostalgic post!
Loved The Mapes. Blew dope in The Caboose, no hassle. Danced my ass off on the floor. I think The Big City Band had a reunion there. Another 'boite' was The Green Hornet alias, The Bug. Good times.
Cam Norris
Spent some great times at the Mapes in the late 70's... Caboose, Mado, Karin, Susi, Shady, Ches... Wonderful memories !!!
Kevin.
Great site. I and so many of my friends some here and some gone spent countless nights at the Mapes as well as every other bar west of 6th ave in Lachine. I am sure I speak for most of my friends when I say we it was the best of times and I would not change a minute of the time we spent doing what we did. Again great site. Peace.
Saw Levon Helm at the Mapes twice I think. He played with the Cate Brothers. I was so mesmerized by the band that I didn't move the entire night, except to raise my hand signalling the need for another rum and coke. When I went to stand up at the end of the night I almost fell over.
ID was kind of optional back then, I remember showing the craziest pieces of ID, like a hairdresser's apprentice card to get in. The bouncer actually asked me if it was a prayer book. I had already lent my ID to someone else, so that's all I had.
Guess what, I got in anyway!
There is also La Kachette.
what a gem of a comments section! i remember several bands from the early 80's, traxis, ravenhead stand out, how about the Blushing Brides anyone? I'm from the townships, had a good friend move to pointe claire in junior high (Greg P. lived on sunderland went to lindsey pl. Hey Greg your Bruins finally made good!) got to know the west island through him, i found this by googling traxis, who i used to see in granby at the plateau and cowansville at the Bree bar, later Chat Rond... S.T.
Well I must say, I was pleasantly surprised to find my answer when I was racking this grey matter of mine for the name of that bar that went up in flames back in the mid eighties, the Mapes! and where I saw my very first live act. My Baby Does the Hanky Panky was the song but can't remember the name of the band. I haven't stop playing my gits since then. All the other bars of the West Island I had frequented and yet again John your blog helped me find the name of that one bar off of St. Charles and the 40. Shawns Pub. Been there during a raid and all. Good times.
Thanks for your comment Gary. If you're a Facebook member, be sure to check out Maples Inn Crowd, a closed group, that someone it started a few years ago -- there's a lot more memories to be shared there. Cheers! on West Island Bars of the 1980s
I was a DJ at The Mapes for a year 80-81 ish. Man it was wild I was just 18! Fell in love with Sheri Gates ( of the Sheri Gates band). I also worked as a DJ and bartender at Shawns (got my courtesy card baby). Also worked at the Celieigh at John Abbott. To quote Mickey Dolenz "I was there ( and I'm told I had a good time).
Awesome!😀
What a great and surprising flash back to stumble upon. Spent many underage weekends at The Mapes from 1977 - 1979. The Edgewater, Pioneer, or Romano's were often the starting point but the Mapes was always THE destination. Great people, music, and vibe, and you could always buy more than quarts in the Caboose :). Good times, thanks for the memories!
Thanks for stumbling by Don.
Wow, is it great so see a pictures of the good old Maples Inn. I did not frequent as much as many of the posters on this blog, but being a Waste Islander I put in more than my fair share of time. Indeed, the Mapes helped me pass a cinema course at John Abbott. It was about the Academy Awards and I wanted to show the real winners, so as a project I did a survey to see which movie people thought was best picture. I made a simple ballot and got patrons at the Mapes to fill it out. hundreds of people helped me out that night, it was an excellent survey, well before the days of the internet!
I miss all the great places: the Pioneer (later Clydes?), the Pisse-Dru, Dags, Shawns, Naps in DDO, the Manior for the St.T crowd, Romanos for late night cannelloni, and when I went to Concordia the legendary Royal Pub on Guy and Maz (Ma Heller's) in NDG!
Thanks for the memories! Now I live in Ottawa. My kids will never know the fun that I had in the Waste land. Those were good years.
John Mundie
Wow, love this blog topic. Went to a lot of these bars but especially Nap's on Sources in DDO...worked across the street at Discus selling records then would hop across to Nap's to hoist a few. Saturdays was the V-bar on Hymus, next to La viel Ecu restaurant. I believe it's the SAAQ now....sigh.
Craig.
Thanks for the comments Craig! Happy New Year!
Sorry to read about Bob Beaupre...had no idea, and it's been over ten years. Great guy, great co-worker, RIP Bob
Great reading John! Thanks for your work in keeping this going!
Not too sure what happened to Luba but i heard the drummer that played with them Passed away summer 2019 don't recall his name an east end Italian guy Papa if i recall!
Once when I went to the Edgewater and they ID'd me, I realized that my ID was missing, only to be produced shortly thereafter by the doorperson, themself, who recognized the pic: Turns out my younger brother swiped it and was already there.
Margarita Tuesdays (or was it Wednesdays?) at ChiChi's immediately after bartending class at John Abbot College's Ceilidh bar.
Etcetera.
Suffice to say it took me awhile to graduate.
Que Sera seemed somewhat 'pretentious' and so I didn't like it, and not too soon after it was apparently associated with some olympic swimmer getting run over by car after some altercation after leaving it. That figures, I thought then.
Caesar's palace across from Fairview mall kind of brought me here because I wanted to see if I could look up some disco tunes related to it and roller-skating to them, occasionally hand-in-hand with some hot girl.
The Mapes rings a bell, but for some reason, can't place it. But a young woman once accidentally stepped on my foot at Cheers and I said, 'Ow', and maybe she thought it was because of her hotness, so she just echoed it back, 'Ow'. Too shy at the time to let her know that it was about my foot not her appearance.
Anyway, it's tragic that we have been commodifying our lives and memories like that, so I hope that civilization collapses or declines soon enough that it leads us to more real, funny-money-free communities and events and saves some of the natural world to boot.
And I type this in a McDonalds in Halifax. How tragic can you get? But at least I brought my own tea and coffee drinks.
So many great anecdotes in this blog. I'm the guy who made the youtube video "A Brief History Of The Legendary Maples Inn". The video would never have been possible without all of you who have posted info & pics over the years. "Gone, but not forgotten" A fabulous chapter in the history of the West Island.
That Darn Robbo
If anyone remembers those days and knew the staff...there's a chance you knew my dad. Barry McDonnell. He worked the door for years there. He was a beast of a man with forearms bigger than Popeye's. When I would go to any bar with my dad and have a beer, he'd always tell stories about this pub and how this place was the gem of the West Island. The rawness and great people with live music made that the place to be in the 80's. How every night was a night to talk about and if you were lucky, you'd be at the bar when the cops would rush in. He showed me pictures he had in a box for years and I realized I was born in the wrong era. I still have that box of photos. I was actually going through his old stuff tonight thinking about my old man and decided to Google this pub and came up on this page.
There was a recording artist named Domenic Troiano who I discovered via The Guess Who (he was the lead guitarist/co-songwriter with Burton Cummings on the band's final two albums of original music). In high school I got teased because I raved so much about this guy's solo albums while none of my buddies had ever heard of him... Was I ever excited when I learned that he was scheduled to play The Maples on the evening of Oct. 5th, 1981, which happened to correspond with my 18th birthday. Turning 18 in Quebec is envied by 18-year-olds across all the other provinces and territories in Canada as we get to be the first 'adults' to drink legally. Now I'd be lying if I said this was my first time going to a bar-- The Chateau du Lac in Hudson, my hometown, was anything but strict regarding underage drinking. Still, there was something epic about that artist playing that venue (unlike say The Forum where I could have gotten in if I was 11!) on that particular date in my personal lifestory. Anyways, it was a stormy, early fall evening, a week night, which might explain why my two buddies and I were amongst the very small audience who were in attendance. Troiano centered a power rock three-piece playing under the moniker of Black Market. What a show! Troiano's guitar solos were blistering. During the band's between sets break, probably because there were so few in competition, I managed to approach the star and he let me buy him a drink as he sat at our table. I didn't tell him it was my birthday but did embarrass him by letting him know how much I loved his albums and his inimitable guitar stylings. When he began to look around the bar, a bit desperately it seemed, I realized I was laying it on too thick. I ended by requesting a track be played from his first solo album, "Burning at the Stake". He told me his current band had never worked on that song and he couldn't promise but he appreciated my enthusiasm. During the second set a round of shots arrived at our table, compliments of the band. Troiano gave me a wink. He never did essay the track I'd requested but to say this was a disappointment would be a lie = one of the best small venue, intimate shows I've ever been to. RIP Mr. D. Troiano. And RIP The Maples on Lakeshore Blvd., Pt. Claire.
After spending a lot of drinking time at the Edge I worked a summer or two at the Marina....good times.....vague and blurry memories lol.
Who's reading in 2022?
(a baby born the day this blog was written is almost eighteen now - old enough to go make their own memories. Gee)
found this site while searching for an old club in Dorion back in the eighties.
i think the Transcanada, La Musique were there. was Pomaloo in Valleyfield?
Hi I’m joanne ( they called me joe ) long blonde hair petite green eyed , short skirts high heeled gal . Some people called me the ice lady !!! My bar was the Quai sera ste Anne de Bellevue . Grew roots on the bar stool at mikes bar !! Lol !! Yup I really did !! Poor mike I was always there lol . Was in my basement the other day and found an old box of memories . Found a comic sketch of me at the bar , mark the DJ there did it for me , it was so so me !!! Lol poor mark he would play me all the countless songs I’d ask for lol ! Late at night I think once a week I tuned into him on some radio station and he’d talk to me on air and play songs for me ! What a sweetie !!! I didn’t sleep much , was like a night owl lol so that was good fun . And if the Quai sera was still serving I’d be dragging my friend Louise (weezie) or some other poor soul to drink and dance !!! Lol yup !!! That was me lol poor mike had to keep the rum flowing lol he used to make me laugh , I’d ask him to call me a cab and he’d say joe your a cab !!! Lol lol would be fun to hear him say that again lol I lived in that town for awhile and moved to Montreal .mark the DJ helped me move a couple of times poor guy my marble dining room table almost killed him !!! He was kind to help , well if anyone knows how these guys are let me know it would be fun !!!! You can find me on Facebook joanne joe martin K Chow for now !!
Oh I'm glad someone could remember what Annie's was called before! I was afraid the Pisse Dru was the other end. It's starting to fade, but I know the seventies were so relaxing and fun. No comparison to now. Great Blog!
Holy crap this has been a trip down memory lane. First off a big thank you to the person who mentioned Walter Rossi - I had his album where you could punch out the guitar from the cover. Played it to death. At the Mapes I remember Powder Blues band. Also went to Marina (April Wine drummer, bald guy, paying Ms PacMan lol). Started drinking at Dags, then Pioneer. Later it was Manoir/Cheers. Then the Ceilidh (JAC boy). Thanks for the trip down memory lane, I'm on the east coast now but return to the Wets Island to visit family.
Bob.
Hi, replying to the guy looking for the bar in Dorion, I think it was La Bourgade. This blog brings back memories, working at West Island Mall then heading over to Naps, Shawn's, there was that bar at the Holiday Inn as well, don't remember the name.... The Manoir, best place to watch hockey games, ahhh those were the days!
Great memories. I spent most of my time at the marina dance bar but would frequent the maples in and the pioneer at times as well.
The bald april wine drummer was Jerry Mercer, he also drummed for mashmakhan prior. I had my first non legal beer at the naps with my roxboro driving school instructor.
I also went to the foxes run bar it was underground where Brian Greenway from april wine would play at times. I later hang out downtown it was called bakers street I thing it was on la montagne. My Mother would go to the Maples in when she was younger. Her folks has a summer house there and they called it lake side back then.
Lived in Baie-D'Urfe in the mid 1970's Really enjoyed the Mapes, Pisse Dru and Shawn's. Went to John Abbott College and enjoyed that too.
Wow, just spent hours reading and remembering. Thank you all. And a big hello to those that went to La Katchette, Kellys, Marina, V Bar, Bop She Bop in The International Hotel on Dorval circle, and Cezar's Palace. Hugs and thank you all for making my adolescence in the mid 70s to late 80s fun! Donna.E.Wilson@gmail.com
Thanks for memories John! A buddy and I were talking about West Island bars from the 80’s, so I did a search and found this page🙂..I lived on Donegani off of St. John’s for about 2 years in 85/86, but I was a frequent flyer of the West Island from about 78. The memories are starting to fade, but I do remember most of the bars mentioned in this blog.
I have a few questions for anyone who has a better memory than myself….
1. We were trying to remember the name of the bar on Cartier ave, just as you got off the 20 on the left side. It wasn’t anything spectacular, but Harry, Boo boo and I used to have a few drinks their on Sundays.
2. The Kachette, was this around back in the mall (name?)off of St. John’s? I lived in Huntingdon before and after living on Donegani and there was a girl named Wanda that was from Huntingdon working there.. probably early 80’s.. at least that’s how I remember it😋
3. The same mall had a small bar and restaurant right after Stienbergs, at least I think it was Stienbergs..lol What was the name of the bar and restaurant. This was another hangout after work in the mid 80’s. The restaurant had awesome food!
4. Shawn’s Pub, was this the bar you could see from the 40? Joanne (Jo) was the bartender, not the same one from above🙂 it was pretty quiet when I was there, but it was probably during the week. Jo was another Huntingdon girl..
5. Last question…There was a tiny piano bar in the basement of some building in Pointe Claire and for the life of me I can’t remember where it was or it’s name..anyone remember it?
I can throw in a few bars from around Valleyfield/Huntingdon and Montreal.
The Pamaloo in Valleyfield to answer the anonymous question was a great bar that we usually went to on Thursdays. Another bar in Valleyfield was the Edition Special which we frequented on Wednesdays as they had chugging contests and great deals on drinks. The Trans Canada was a strip joint in Valleyfield, just as you came off the 40.
In Huntingdon we had the Cul de Sac which was part of the band circuit at the time. Bands like Vigilants, Tokyo Rose, Toronto, just to name a few.. The bar was owned by friends of mine and I worked as a waiter for a few months when it first opened. Across the street was a bar originally called Bessette’s and changed ownership to be called “The Bamboo”. Across the parking lot was the Long Rapids Pub, Jeff Smallwood and John Mcgale (RIP) played there often, along with Bowser & Blue. I was the manager during those great months. The bar only held about 40 people, but it rocked!
One last one that I didn’t see mentioned was the Arc in Montreal, this was another great bar that had awesome bands..I saw the Stampeders there back in the day!
Again great Blog John!
Rick
Thanks for the memories, Rick!
Shawn’s was the pub you could see from the 40.
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