A eulogy for the Liberty Lounge
by Thomi Olson
The Reflector
Today we mourn the loss of a glorious drinking establishment.
A place that was without judgement, drinks named Hubalicious, and Ikea-esque art on the walls: our beloved Liberty Lounge.
Those who aren’t first years most likely recall this good ol’ watering hole.
We spent many hours there. Some of them hazy, some regrettable, but mostly all really great. Some of our favourite college memories happened at this somewhat questionable bar — so many beers, dance-offs and good times happened there.
I’ll miss that dirty little dance floor the most.
I surely can’t be the only one who knows that if I’m drinking then I’m going to be dancing. How could you take away the dance floor?
The last thing I want to do is stage dance after I’ve drank way too much. I’m no longer 18 years old and this is not Cowboys.
The Lib’s dance floor was spacious, dark and left ample room for whatever embarrassing dance moves you wanted to share.
The dance floor isn’t the only thing we’ll miss. You’d be a liar to say you didn’t appreciate dark lighting in a bar. The Lib’s most likely grime-encrused lights made even the homeliest faces look like gems — a confidence booster for all.
Also, where did the other pool and fooseball table Houdini too?
It is truly a loss to the entire student body to abolish karaoke night. I’ve seen renditions of “Dancing Queen” and “Rock Lobster” that would make a bearded, grown man cry. In fact, I’ve seen those glorious renditions sung by two bearded dudes. But seriously, karaoke night was always one of epic proportions.
The Lib would have never stood for a drink menu with fancy little martinis either. Who actually orders a martini at a campus bar? Is wearing a top hat and a monocle part of the required dress code when doing so?
I will give The Hub credit for having bathrooms in its actual bar. At least now I don’t need to do that walk of shame at 4 o’clock in the afternoon through Wyckham to get to the washrooms.
There’s nothing to make you feel shittier than seeing a group of young kids at the Dairy Queen with their little sundaes asking “Mommy, why is that girl walking so funny?”
Stay in school kids.
Will I still go to The Hub? Of course. There’s cheap beer and some of the bartenders are babes. I’ll just be the grumpy old lady in the corner, telling all the first years of a greater time. A time when there weren’t weird lounge chairs, only one pool table, and martinis being made in our campus bar.
Rest easy Liberty Lounge, you are missed.