Date: January 7, 2024
By: Kay Arnal
The Good Will Social Club announced in November that they would be closing their doors on February 1, 2024. Maybe it was the first show you played, the first place you made a new friend, or the first place you called home. Regardless of what The Good Will was to you, its closure will put a hole in all of our hearts. For more details visit CTV News Winnipeg.
Main entrance of The Good Will Social Club
So, where do we go from here? Here's a list of venues I think will be in the spotlight this year.
The Park Theatre is one of my favourite venues. I always visit because it's a hot spot for local shows and tours. It's in a relatively safe area down Osborne Street with lots of parking and easy-access bus routes. The venue is spacious, with lots of room to move. However, it can be quite costly for new musicians who want to perform, but can only bring in a small crowd. The Park was awarded Venue of the Year in 2014, and it upholds its title with its great atmosphere, friendly staff and high-quality sound.
Location: 698 Osborne St, Winnipeg
Average ticket price: $15–$75+
You'll find The Osborne Taphouse five minutes from The Park Theatre. It is the only location I have yet to go to on this list, but I've heard great things. They have a strong presence on social media and are easily accessible through messages on Instagram and Facebook. Alongside entertainment, they offer comfort food going late into the evening. And, like The Park, it's an easily accessible location. The only con I've noticed is that the stage is tiny and the venue doesn't allow for much room to move around.
Location: 112 Osborne St, Winnipeg
Average ticket price: $10–$20
Head to The Handsome Daughter and grab a bite of their famous fried chicken before the show. While the stage may be small, there's still lots of room to move around and dance, and if you need a break from the music, head over to the front area, grab a drink, and relax in their restaurant/lounge area. They also have a great social media presence, so take a look at the shows going on!
Location: 61 Sherbrook St, Winnipeg
Average ticket price: $15
Located on Main Street, the Bulldog Event Center is a spacious and affordable venue for new musicians to play. There is lots of room to dance and sit, and there's enough space for musicians to move around on stage. They serve concession-style food and drinks and have a high-quality sound system, allowing you to enjoy your evening. However, they rarely use social media to promote their upcoming events, and they do not have a website, which if used would significantly help them fill their shows up.
Location: 1374 Main St, Winnipeg
Average ticket price: $15
Let me know what you think of these venues in the comments.
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