Calgary bars and pubs hope for Red Mile resurgence during Stanley Cup playoffs
Flames finish regular season on Saturday, first playoff opponent yet to be announced
With the Calgary Flames heading into the playoffs, businesses along 17th Avenue S.W. are hoping for a Red Mile resurgence.
Bars, pubs and restaurants along the storied stretch between Fourth Street and 14th Street S.W. — made famous during the 2004 playoff run that saw Calgary lose in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals to the Tampa Bay Lightning — are hoping fans will come out once again to fill up on Flames frenzy.
"Being from the suburbs you don't get the [Red] Mile feel, you gotta come to the core, to the Beltline where everything is happening," said Matt Geib while watching baseball at Home and Away prior to Sunday's Flames game. "Everyone's in a Flames jersey, that's what makes it fun for me, being surrounded by people who are as excited as I am."
That's music to Home and Away manager Jordan Thomson's ears as this year's playoffs will be the pub's first Flames post-season.
"We're excited. We've only been around now for about a year-and-a-half so this is going to be a kick," he said. "It's going to be a great thing for 17th Ave. and the Calgary economy in general."
Jared DesRosier at the Pint — also on 17th Avenue S.W. — knows what the Red Mile can be like.
He was a bartender during the 2015 playoff run and is hoping to see a similar scene this time around.
"The whole city came together, everybody came out early and came out often and enjoyed the hockey," he said.
More than making money, DesRosier said playoff hockey is about having an exciting experience.
"Just excitement and energy, sometimes those are important to have as well," he said.
"It is a bit of an experience and people go to 17th. Two hours before game time people are lined up to get a seat. It's like going to a game — everybody's in, everyone's in their gear and they're having a good time. You can't really replicate that too many ways."
The Flames have three games remaining in the regular season — against the Ducks on Tuesday, the Kings on Thursday and ending the season against the Sharks in San Jose on Saturday.
The playoff schedule has yet to be announced.
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With files from Terri Trembath