What's Been Playin?

Monday, April 20, 2009

Burn The Witch!!

Maybe I'll have to start drinking at this clearly insightful and progressive establishment.


Playoff fever may be sweeping the city, but infected Vancouver Canucks fans are not always welcome in at least one downtown pub.

Mark James told CBC News he was kicked out of the Library Square Pub on West Georgia Street for wearing a Canucks jersey immediately after the team won its second playoff game against St. Louis on Friday night.

James said he went to the pub, which is about three blocks away from General Motors Place, to watch the game on the bar's big screen TV.

He said he watched the game, had a meal and some beers with friends, all while wearing a Canucks jersey, hat and jacket.

But as soon as the game ended, he said his jersey suddenly became blacklisted attire at the pub.

"Five minutes after the game ended, the doorman came around telling us we had to take our jerseys off. I thought he was joking," said James.
Mark James says he was told to remove his Canucks jersey or leave the Library Square Pub as soon as Friday's game ended. Mark James says he was told to remove his Canucks jersey or leave the Library Square Pub as soon as Friday's game ended. (CBC)

But it was no joke. When James refused to take off his jersey, a manager came over to his table and after several minutes of arguing, he and his friend Simon Postma were asked to leave the bar, he said.

"The reasoning was dress code. The jersey is not a part of their dress code," James said.

"It's a shot at hockey fans in general, but mainly Canuck hockey fans ... They are a few blocks away from the stadium and it was a playoff night, so Canucks pride themselves on saying, 'We are all Canucks.' But obviously Library Square isn't part of that group," James said.

Initially, a manager for the Library Square Pub told CBC News the bar has a 'no jerseys' rule after 10 p.m. to discourage rival fans from fighting.

Later, a more senior manager told CBC News that James and his friend were not kicked out because of their jerseys, but because they were drunk, and the pub's rule on jerseys has been relaxed during the playoffs.

The two fans deny they were intoxicated or acting rowdy, but admit they did argue with pub staff over the jersey rule.

James said he's watched games at Library Square Pub in the past, but will take his money elsewhere as he cheers on the Canucks.

6 comments:

Duncan said...

Damn you Alder, and your snotty Mood attitute. This post coming from a pub patron who was upset by being roused by a Police Gang Squad who also enforced a 'cololr type rule.' HeeHee. 'Burn the Witch' reads your headline...'Burn this shite pub' seems more appropriate. Long live the Nucks, and death to he who attempts to have said fans park their colors at the door....

Duncan said...

and 'damn you' was a joke...hope you live on in eternity...lol

Dr. Fatty said...

George, I'm pretty sure this was the pub we were at before the Q taping. I was willing to relax my boycott of the place (because of the inane no-debit brew-ha-ha), but now I think the boycott may be back on.

Duncan, next time you're in town we will definitely be going there to urinate on the door handles.

Random Thoughts said...

Ronnie, you are correct -- this is the place that didn't have a debit machine. I'm thinking I'm liking it more and more however I will definitely be avoiding the urinals if you and DRo have visited.

Dr. Fatty said...

George, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't allow sandals, socks or no socks.

Duncan said...

the door handles? I think we otta pee on the manager.