College
students like to drink. One of the many perks that comes with newfound adulthood
is the ability to define and practice your own levels of alcohol consumption. The
college experience is a very social one and alcohol is known to lower
inhibitions and encourage more outgoing behaviour in social circumstances.
Whether positive or negative, drinking seems to be thoroughly integrated into post-secondary
culture.
NO
PUB ON CAMPUS
Currently,
prospective drinkers from Capilano have to look off-campus to find a communal watering
hole. There is no fixed alcohol-serving establishment anywhere at Capilano
University, nor has there ever been. Many other universities play proud hosts
to very student-friendly and economically sustainable pubs, but due to a few circumstantial
realities at Capilano, we’re not in a position to see one just now.
According
to Saam Nasirpourm, Food and Beverages Chairperson at the Capilano students’ union,
there are a few reasons for this. Not only is Capilano a dry campus, but the
university itself would not likely be running the pub due to liability issues,
it would be the student union, as is the case at UBC and SFU. “In addition,” says
Nasirpourm, “the University may be concerned about the economics surrounding a
campus pub. This is also another reason why student unions run pubs – since
student unions are run as not-for-profit, the economics are not nearly as
critical as they would be to the university.”
It’s
easy to understand where the liability comes in with the operation of a pub. It
is clearly a huge financial investment that comes with a good deal of
uncertainty. Many bars and restaurants in town fail quickly, even when they
aren’t catering to a centralized community of young people in varying degrees
of unemployment. Capilano also has a significantly smaller population than
Vancouver’s other universities. UBC has an active population in the field of
54,000, versus Capilano’s 7,500 enrolled in credit programs, and UBC has four
active campus pubs (although, somewhat tellingly, there used to be five, as one
was recently closed.)
Nasirpourm
continues: “At Capilano University, there is a contract between the University
and Aramark that prohibits the Capilano Students’ Union from offering food
services on campus. It’s not uncommon for universities to have monopolistic contracts
with one third-party food service provider; however, most campuses offer an
exception for their Student Union to offer some food services such as a pub.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t exist at Capilano.”
Perhaps
the demand for a food service provider, as determined by Capilano’s population,
is low enough that a single third-party provider – in this case Aramark – can
operate on an exclusivity contract. As it is, there have been expressions of
the student bodies desire to diversify and the CSU are open to initiatives of
expansion. They’ve taken input from students and have been considering the
potential realities of a pub on campus, as well as other options, such as more
locally-sourced and sustainable foods, an organic smoothie and protein shake
bar, and more variety on the campus menu, among other ideas.
BUT
… I’M THIRSTY!
In
the meantime, drinking will have to be undertaken by students off of the
Capilano campus. Although there is a large demographic of Capilano students
that live outside of North Vancouver, the area does have a good number of pubs
that could fill in as the Capilano hangout. Here are a few of them to consider
– responsibly, of course.
Sailor
Hagar’s
86
Semisch Avenue
With
a prime location just steps from Lonsdale Quay – the central transport hub in
North Vancouver – and a very personable and familiar staff, Sailor Hagar’s is
about as close as it gets to being in Cheers. Their vibe isn’t exactly
“college”, though. It’s got very little sex appeal and not much in terms of a
happening, jiggy vibe (one can picture the eponymous sailor drinking there
after a hard day on the docks). It is, however, basically the only bar that
offers pool, foosball, and darts. They also have beers optionally available in
the legendary “Viking” pint – only slightly less than a pitcher and meant for
solo-consumption, it will make you feel giddy as a hobbit staring over it.
Sailor Hagar’s also has a great bar-food menu that’s almost unreasonably cheap.
This isn’t a place where you’ll meet the love of your life, but a decent spot
to hang out at with your pals.
Translink
accessibility: 5/5
Cost:
$
Atmosphere:
No worries
What
to wear: Whatever’s comfortable
Mosquito
Creek Bar & Grill
2601
Westview Drive
Have
you ever found yourself in the midst of an impromptu high school reunion that
you definitely did not want to attend? Welcome to the Mosquito Creek on a
Thursday night. Thursday is karaoke night, and if you went to high school in
North Vancouver, you will know almost everyone there, except maybe the
curiously ever-present cougars. It’s not necessarily everyone’s jam, but if
you’re new to Capilano and you want to get out and about and maybe meet some
new people, this a pretty good place to start. On most other nights, it’s a pretty
casual spot, although it’s kind of out of the way. The menu is all right too,
with one online review calling it “Earls with a pub slant.”
Translink
accessibility: 2/5
Cost:
$$
Atmosphere:
Oh, you again
What
to wear: Letterman jacket
The
Narrows
1970
Spicers Road
The
Narrows, formerly known as the Bridge Between, formerly known as the Maplewood,
has been a fixture of the North Vancouver pub circuit for decades. It has
changed hands frequently and the most recent incarnation is something of a
departure for the space. They’ve taken to showcasing some cool local bands and
even hosting beer-pong tournaments (clearly the most college-student-friendly
activity imaginable). Despite the fact that the unfortunate location hasn’t
changed – visibly and fragrantly adjacent to the city dump – its proximity to
Phibbs Exchange makes it fairly accessible from Capilano. All of that and $3
dollar beers? Students welcome.
Translink
accessibility: 2/5
Cost:
$
Atmosphere:
Dude, beer pong!
What
to wear: Hair gel
Queen’s
Cross
2989
Lonsdale Avenue
For
appearance’s sake, the Queen’s Cross does a pretty solid job. It easily has the
most authentic pub ambiance of all the North Van spots. If you’ve ever been to
a real British public house, you will be impressed by the very strong evocation
of that look and feel. Unfortunately for students, the Queen’s Cross is a very
suburban establishment that exists to serve the members of the community around
it. It’s pretty far up the Lonsdale hill, and in an older residential
neighborhood. Consequently, the clientele is mostly older locals. Also,
probably because of all this, it’s pretty expensive. It’s got regulars though,
that’s for sure.
Translink
accessibility: 3/5
Cost:
$$$
Atmosphere:
You’re not from around here, are you?
What
to wear: Slacks
Village
Taphouse
900
Main Street
It’s
funny, actually. The Village Taphouse is a part of the manufactured landscape
of Park Royal’s Village. It’s pretty hip and semi-casual, but the fact remains
that the place has got very little appeal outside the superficial. It’s
needlessly expensive and, until recently, the only redeeming quality was an
awesome karaoke night (a karaoke night vastly superior to that of the Mosquito
Creek). With that gone, there doesn’t seem to be much going for students. You
might meet someone attractive, though.
Translink
accessibility: 2/5
Cost:
$$$$
Atmosphere:
I just love tanning!
What
to wear: Coloured polo with popped collar
DON’T
BE STUPID, HAVE FUN
When
responsibly enjoyed, alcohol can be a positive social lubricant. When
irresponsibly enjoyed, it can be a dangerous distorter of perception, and can
lead to dangerous behaviour, as well as multiple health problems. Although
almost every student has partaken at one time or another, a Journal of
Studies on Alcohol article
reported that 31 per cent of college students met the criteria for diagnosis
for alcohol dependence according questionnaire-based self-reports about their
drinking. Alcohol consumption can also lead to depression, which is the number
one reason people drop out of university, so watch out.
In
addition, most bars operate on a level of universal inclusion with many
offering alternative lifestyle events and nights, so have a look around and see
what fits you best – you might even find a spot where everybody knows your
name. Cheers.
//Jonty Davies, web editor
//Graphics by Faye Alexander
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