| Strolling down 11th Avenue S.W. between 4th and 14th streets nowadays, it’s hard to believe it was once home to discount highballs, seedy rock clubs and late night brawls.
The former Electric Ave bar, that skinny white castle of mullets and quick zips, is a yoga studio. A bridal boutique has replaced the margarita madness of Banditos. A daycare hosts wee hellions rather than drunken revellers in the former Coconut Joe’s. Art galleries abound, while architects and gourmands have replaced shooter girls and brawny bouncers.
I have fond, albeit boozy, memories of my first job at Coconut Joe’s. Thankfully, I got out before it earned its seedy reputation. Pressure from area residents and increasing violence forced most clubs to close throughout the ’90s. Once home to the Stanley Cup celebrations, it soon became a stark, depressing stretch of road and nobody cool ever went to Electric Ave after 1995.
Over the last five years, what was once called "the strip" has shown signs of evolved life, but Calgary’s thirst for nightlife is now being quenched by indie joints like Broken City and Brew Bros, and Canadian Pizza beside Mac’s is doing brisk late-night business. It’s not time to buy the minivan just yet. |
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