Morgans Pub joins list of music venues to fall
Another one of Calgary ’s live music venues is biting the dust.
From up-and-coming indie bands to Tuesday night regulars Brokentoyz and their ’80s rock revival, Morgans Pub on 17 Avenue S.W. has been home to hundreds of live shows, cementing the venue as one of Calgary ’s iconic music bars.
The longtime haunt will hit the lights for the last time on Sunday with a final Morgans performance by Brokentoyz following a set Saturday by Static.
Owner Steve Rasberry, who ran Morgans for the past 11 years, said the bar’s profits were hit hard in the economic downturn.
“We saw a significant decrease in sales that have not rebounded back, no matter what we attempted to do,” Rasberry said. “We tried to sell the business and didn’t have a lot of luck with that.”
He also said changing tastes in music and a shift in what customers are “looking for and how they’re spending their money” have been chipping away at profits, adding many people are choosing to stay out of downtown bars in favour of smaller, local pubs in the suburbs.
In a post to their Facebook page, Brokentoyz members thanked Morgans staff and Calgary concert goers for being a part of nearly two decades of shows.
“It’s been a wild ride,” the band said online.
“A huge shout out to all the fans (who) supported us throughout the years; you guys are the best.”
Morgans is just the latest in a string of Calgary venues to be shuttered in recent months.
Mikey’s Juke Joint, Distortion and Night Owl all closed for business in June, with Mikey’s owner Mike Clark saying in a social media post that the venue on 10th Avenue and 8th Street S.W. was being evicted.
Clark opened a second Mikey’s location last year, Mikey ’s on 12th, where the business owner is hoping his supporters will gravitate.
Night Owl owner Stu Connor said he was forced to sell his venue, saying high operating costs would have led to Night Owl shutting down by the end of the summer.
“It’s a little tough being just a live venue,” he said. “There’s definitely a decrease of people going to see
We saw a significant decrease in sales that have not rebounded back, no matter what we attempted to do.
live shows, I’ve noticed in the last two years.”
As for Rasberry — who has been helping support Calgary’s local music scene for more that 10 years — he’s encouraging live music fans to come down and enjoy the last shows at Morgans before the doors close for good.
“It’s been an experience; it’s been an experience watching that industry take its body blows,” he said.