Today, the Senate Tavern, a sports bar located on Clarence Street in Ottawa’s downtown core, is celebrating its fourth anniversary.
It’s a significant milestone in a competitive industry. An industry that can be especially difficult in the Nation’s Capital.
Owned by two guys from the Ottawa area, it’s a place that provides a truly authentic experience for sports fans.
The walls are lined with an impressive collection of memorabilia, there are more TVs than you could ever need, the food is amazing, the beer selection is vast and on a game night, the atmosphere is unlike any other venue in this city.
If you’ve been there, you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you haven’t been there, go and you’ll find out.
I don’t usually write articles like this but I wanted to take the time to congratulate the owners and staff at the Senate on four successful years.
Really, I’m writing this for a few reasons. First off, the Senate and its Owners have always been good friends of the site. Second, I got drunk at the Senate one night and said I would. Third, I honestly love this frigging bar.
Now it may have something to do with the SensChirp sign hanging on their wall or the fact that I’ve spent more time there than I have with my extended family in the last four years but that’s besides the point.
I’ve always felt this strange attachment to The Senate. Like it was an extension of my own home, or something. The man cave I’ve always wanted but but never afford. The kind of bar you can forget your phone and wallet at and know they’ll be safe in the morning.
Any time friends want to go out to watch a game somewhere, it’s the first option I suggest. Sure I’ll go somewhere else if pushed but it’s always my first choice. I’ve brought family here. I’ve had meetings here. Heck, I almost sold the SensChirp Empire one blurry night at the Senate.
When people question hockey fans in the city, I can’t help but think back to the night the Ottawa Senators eliminated the Montreal Canadiens from the playoffs. I know there are die hard Sens fans in this city because I met (and sang with) hundreds of them that night at the Senate.
Honestly, it’s pretty hard to find a good spot to watch sports in this city.
A place that understands the city and the people that live in it. Where you feel comfortable yelling like an idiot if your team scores or quietly drowning your sorrows when they don’t. Where you can high-five a perfect stranger or strike up a conversation about the game with the person sitting next to you.
Last week, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, closed up shop on their attempt at a Real Sports location here in Ottawa. It had the big screens, it had the friendly servers, it had the beer. But for anyone that made it out to Real Sports during their brief stint in the Byward Market, you’ll know there was always something missing.
Sure, it was in Ottawa. But it never really felt like Ottawa.
And that’s what makes The Senate different. As their tag line suggests, it’s truly a place where everyone’s a local. The restaurant business is tough and this particular niche is even tougher. It takes more than just TV screens and beer to be successful.
The staff and ownership at The Senate have always understood that and it’s why they continue to thrive four years after opening their doors.
There are some exciting additions planned at The Senate in the weeks and months to come so be sure to give them a follow on Twitter and like them on Facebook.
If you haven’t been to The Senate, I can’t recommend it enough the next time there’s a big game to watch.
We’ve been talking about a SensChirp get-together for some time now and I insist that when it happens (soon, by the way!), it happens at The Senate.
MONDAY NEWS AND NOTES
-As expected, Andrew Hammond has cleared waivers and can now be assigned to Binghamton of the American Hockey League. The next move is going to be interesting here. Hammond refused a conditioning stint last week so it will be interesting to see how he responds to the possibility of a demotion this time around. More waiver wire news as the Senators have placed Matt Puempel on waivers after a quiet (0 points in 13 games) start to his season. Again, it would be a surprise if anybody made a claim. (SURPRISE- The New York Rangers, one of the last teams in the waiver wire priority list, have put a claim in on Matt Puempel)
-The Senators will be on the ice for practice later this morning ahead of another tough week. They are in Montreal tomorrow night, home to Boston on Thursday and then have a Saturday/Sunday back to back- home to Carolina and in New York to take on the Mika-less Rangers. Four games against tough Eastern Conference opponents will look daunting for a team struggling to score goals right now. We’ll find out the status of Bobby Ryan and Mike Hoffman later this morning but with Puempel headed to Binghamton, it’s safe to say at least one of them will play.
-Lastly, congratulations to the Ottawa RedBlacks and all of #RNation on a huge win in yesterday’s Eastern Division Final. For the second straight year, they’re now headed to the Grey Cup. That game yesterday was CFL football at its finest. With the win, Ottawa will now take on the powerhouse Calgary Stampeders next week at Toronto’s BMO Field. I bought tickets to the Grey Cup game on a whim a few weeks ago figuring it was sort of a long shot that Ottawa would actually make it to the big game. Pretty excited to have a chance to see the RedBlacks play in the Championship game next weekend! Still some tickets left too if anybody else is thinking about making the trip!
