Places to go in Waterloo (part I)

Incase you haven’t noticed, 2 things happened a week ago: 1) Loose Change Louie’s closed down (out of business?), and 2) Roxanne’s, a popular strip club among the UW blokes, moved far from campus. Now fast-forward to Friday night… we’re sitting in a cab, drunk, and bitching about the lack of good places to go in Waterloo. A few minutes ago we were at the Bomber only to find out there was nobody there except a weird-looking couple all alone on the dance floor. We are thinking, “What the hell is up with this place”?

So what I’ve decided to do is start summarizing and rating various bars, clubs and other places to go on a night out, to see whether Waterloo is really that boring. To prevent this article from being a billion words long, I have divided it into a few separate “parts” which I’ll post one at a time. Keep in mind these ratings are based on my own experiences which can differ from your own. If so, please feel free to comment.

The Bombshelter
Also known as “the bomber”, it’s the famous on-campus pub at UW… so famous that I was reading about it even before coming to this school. Because it’s usually 19+, the crowd tends to be a bit more mature than say, Fed Hall. (Expect 3rd/4th year students rather than frosh). It’s lively on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but if it’s any other day don’t even bother! The interior design can also use a facelift.
Atmosphere: 8 out of 10
Friendliness: Upper year girl don’t like younger guys, watch out! 4 out of 10
Drink selection: Selection of drinks isn’t great, but acceptable. 4 out of 10
Music: 5 out of 10

Fed Hall
North America's largest student-owned bar! (according to feds.ca) I have yet to attend a Take Back Tuesday (when there’s cheap beer - $2.50 I think) but it is usually good on big nights in the fall and winter terms. (eg. FED 102) It is also the perfect size venue for concerts and other types of shows.
Atmosphere: Sausagefest! 4 out of 10
Friendliness: 6 out of 10
Drink selection: Better than bomber! 7 out of 10
Music: 5 out of 10

Doll House
Despite not being as well-known as Roxanne’s, it actually isn’t a bad little place. Unlike Roxanne’s there is no cover charge and sometimes the girls do a lot for you onstage for just $5. (Rian and Tristan know all about it!)
Atmosphere: 6 out of 10 (too many middle-aged men!)
Friendliness: 7 out of 10
Drink selection: don’t know, don’t care
Music: As if I’d go to a strip club for the music!

Molly Blooms
This is an excellent place for those who’d rather sit down, have a beer and socialize with friends than dance at a club. It’s always a friendly place and sometimes there is decent live music. Be sure to get there early on Wednesdays and weekends ‘cuz it gets packed pretty fast!
Atmosphere: 9 out of 10
Friendliness: 8 out of 10
Drink selection: 9 out of 10
Music: 8 out of 10

Silver Spur
A karaoke bar on King St. This place is for you if you’re the kinda drunk who enjoys being the centre of attention, because here you actually go onstage in front of everybody in the bar and sing your heart out! You will suck, of course, but you are too drunk to care!
Atmosphere: 7 out of 10
Friendliness: 7 out of 10
Drink selection: Don’t really know… all I’ve gotten there were Canadian and Blue.
Music: Wouldn’t be fair to judge. Drunken Laurier students are terrible singers anyways!

More to come next time!