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Irish House: Beta Testing a Bar for Vancouver 2010 Games
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by Jordan Yerman | February 9, 2010 at 12:40 pm
5983 views | 1 Recommendation | 25 comments
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After work yesterday, I stopped at the corner of Seymour and Nelson to notice that the parking lot next to the Penthouse strip club was no longer a parking lot, but a massive white tent-like structure. This is the new location for Irish House, one of the hospitality centers for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. I ducked inside to see a hive of activity: workers assembling furniture, hanging flags, and mounting the ubiquitous flat-screens that are apparently required by law in all Vancouver bars.
I asked what sorts of events they had planned for the games, and a blonde Irish woman fixed me with steely eyes and replied, "We're going to party".
I then spoke with event director Tania Richards, who invited me to the soft-launch that evening. "Soft launch"... that's basically beta testing for a bar.
Since Beta testing is part of what I do for a living, I thought I'd share some of my ruthlessness with the good people of Irish House and so, after dinner, I brought a friend along, dropped Tania's name at the door and in we went, along with a random woman who happened to be standing next to us wondering how to get into the apparently-exclusive event. That's how I roll: if you blag your way into a place, share your good fortune.
The place was fairly crowded, considering that the door staff weren't sure whom they should be letting in. The party was already starting... So here we go:
Beta Testing Results for Irish House:
- Drinks List: PASS (Guinness. As long as they have this, they're golden)
- Entertainment: PASS (Live bands, a Wii hooked up to a projector)
- Bars: PASS: (Several bars set up so that crowds won't bump into each other)
- Entry: FAIL (Three identical doors, door staff unsure who is supposed to get in- it's open to the public, by the way)
- Drink ordering: MARGINAL (Licensing requires tickets instead of cash-for drinks, and they need to streamline the ticket-purchasing process)
- VIP Access: FAIL: (I encountered no extra check for VIP access once you got in; was told I had to check in my laptop bag, but didn't, and was never challenged about it- fine with me, actually-maybe that's a feature and not a bug)
- Vibe: PASS (This will be a fun place to hang out- doesn't feel "Irish"-whatever that means- but you know you're in a beer tent at a major sporting event)
- Staff: PASS (Everyone was really friendly, and didn't seem stressed by the chaos- the place had literally been open for 20 minutes when we stopped by)
- Media: MARGINAL (I'd lose the flat-screens, since the projectors are visible to anyone in the building)
- Toilets: MARGINAL (Clean, but not clearly signposted- someone's job was to tell us that there were more than two)
I'm certain that the ticket-ordering process will get sorted: they just need an extra staffer and a clear set of two queues. Also, the door policy is just a matter of telling the staff that the building is open to anyone of legal drinking age. When this place opens for real on February 11, there'll be a $20 cover charge- I loathe cover charges. This was not in effect last night, and also may not be in effect during any pre-opening events.
In a city suddenly full of blue fences, this is one party that we're all invited to.
Considering how new everything was, I'd consider Irish House' soft launch a success. Irish House is here to party, and will accomplish its mission.
(Note: I am not connected to Irish House in any way- it just seemed like a golden opportunity to drink Guinness under the auspices of writing a story)
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Jordan Yerman
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at 14:31 on February 9th, 2010
You failed to mention one thingNoise Control: FAILHow permission was given for this venue to operate until 3am in a mainly residential neighbourhood is beyond me. It's essentially an outdoor venue, there is no soundproofing, it's a tent! Last nights soft launch flaunted every noise control by-law that exists in Vancouver.If you google hard enough you'll come across plenty of horror stories from last nightwww.flickr.com/photos/uncle_buddha/4343157138/
at 14:55 on February 9th, 2010
Good call, though I assume all the venues will be an ear-sore to their neighbors, particularly everything in Yaletown. For two weeks, Yaletown won't just look kinda like Manhattan- it'll sound kinda like Manhattan, too.
at 15:01 on February 9th, 2010
My friend lives right by GM Place and her facebook status currently reads 'Thanks VANOC for practicing your fireworks display and causing me to go freaking deaf!!'.
at 16:08 on February 9th, 2010
Jordan, no other outdoor or partially outdoor venue in Yaletown has been given permission to operate until 3am. The LiveCity site in David Lam Park will finish by 11pm each night and most other venues downtown will finish at midnight. Holland House in Richmond is the only other venue operating to a similar time (2am) but it is not in a residential area.No matter where the venue is, it is still bound by regular noise control by-laws after midnight!
at 10:10 on February 10th, 2010
VANOC made it very clear that it doesn't care about Vancouver's actual residents. Noise, infrastructure disruption, you name it- it's happening whether we like it (and whether it's legal) or not. Don't expect any venue to actually abide by those pesky bylaws.
at 20:16 on February 11th, 2010
YES and that's what I hate about having the games here, VANOC doesn't give a .... :-@
at 22:53 on February 9th, 2010
No fun Vancouver as per usual - how about if you are concerned about noise - DON'T LIVE DOWNTOWN!!!Or leave during the Olympics - you've had years to prepare for February 2010.This is the exact lame reason patios have to be close by 11pm nightly year round.Boo-hoo.
at 12:55 on February 10th, 2010
Agreed Scott. I live less than half a block from Irish House and sleep with my bedroom window slightly open and it was only slightly noticeable. I moved into the city because I like to go out after nine o'clock at night. If you can't handle a little noise then move to the suburbs where everything shuts down at 8!!! And don't waste your time complaining about something you can't change!
at 22:20 on February 10th, 2010
If you have been following the news reports from city hall you will have read that the venue was in compliance at street level. However it was found that residents living on higher floors were subjected to more than 'just a little noise' as you are stating. It was confirmed that sound levels on higher floors were well outside by-law levels because of the canyon effect that creates sound reflection. In a city environment there is little soft porous ground for sound to be absorbed. Downtown sound is reflected upwards against the buildings, and depending on the streetscape sound can be reflected numerous times upon itself before it escapes upwards. You might be lucky and your condo might not have been at a point of reflection but others above and below might have been hearing the sound amplified many times over. There are rarely any problems with noise on this street even though we are all less than a block from the Granville strip. However the obvious combination of no soundproofing at the Irish House, it's position on the street and the high buildings towering over it created a cacophonic disturbance that is not usually seen on Granville with its wider street and lower buildings.
at 00:50 on February 10th, 2010
Scott, please tell me where you live and I will gladly stand outside your door with a boombox blaring until 3am and we'll then see who is 'boo-hooing'.Why should I have to prepare for venue arriving on my doorstep, should it not be the other way around? Shouldn't a temporary venue prepare to be mindfull of where they are setting up? I was here first after all no? You are seriously saying I should leave the city? Are you nuts, I'll have some of what you are smoking, thank you very much.I've lived on this street for over three years and have never had any noise concerns even though the Granville strip is on my doorstep. If all of the nightclubs and bars on Granville can somehow manage to have fun venues and obey the by-laws at the same time, then I can't see why the Irish House cannot do the same, it is only logical. Irregardless of whether or not I was disturbed last night, a city hall official reported to me today that they were way beyond the sound limits even for inside the venue, probably damaging the hearing of every punter that passed through the door. I'll see you at the audiology clinic then Scott?
at 10:45 on February 14th, 2010
Graceland, luvaffair, world, plus other social & live musical gathering venues were in existence well before condo development in this area.Not sure why many sleep people moved in to this City, marketing maybe?Irish House, spirit & love.
at 17:54 on February 19th, 2010
Not sure what "sleep people" are, but no one is complaining about the local bars. Just the noisy god-damned tent in the parking lot. It's also not an issue of us being anti-Olympics or no-fun. I've been out nearly every night and to a few events, too. This place is unacceptably noisy at unacceptable hours, worse than anywhere I've seen so far. WTF is wrong with you people?
at 10:08 on February 10th, 2010
No, it's true, though- Irish House is very loud- much more so than a normal bar. I could hear it yesterday from a street away.
at 14:06 on February 10th, 2010
for an irish pub in vancouver it is missing a few items.... my suggestion.. Beamish StoutGuinness Draught Guinness Extra StoutMurphy's Irish StoutOhara's Celtic StoutHarp LagerKinsale Irish LagerKilkenny Irish Cream AleMurphy's Irish RedSmithwick's Irish Ale more selection needed......
at 14:09 on February 10th, 2010
sorry the commeent page does not lend itself to following the format i posted it in... once again....Beamish Stout, Guinness Draught, Guinness Extra Stout, Murphy's Irish Stout, Ohara's Celtic Stout, Harp Lager, Kinsale Irish Lager, Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale, Murphy's Irish Red, Smithwick's Irish Ale..... more selection would be great!!!!!
at 00:07 on February 11th, 2010
Hey "ourmaninvan" - honestly your complaining of city by-laws is pretty weak....the Olympics should adjust to you and your uptight downtown neighbours? PUH-LEASE! The "Granville strip" is outdated, tame 364 days a year, and missing patios because of lame residents like yourself who move/live downtown and expect quiet at 11pm.Sound limits? Ha!I suggest moving to South Surrey ASAP.
at 02:00 on February 11th, 2010
"honestly your complaining of city by-laws is pretty weak" ------I don't get your argument? I don't make the by-laws, CoV do. By-laws are by-laws, they are pretty cut and dry. Now considering that city hall received dozens of complaints and requested Granville Ent. Group to make adjustments to the interior of the venue, more drapes, soundproof plexiglass etc It is pretty patently obvious the by-laws were broken and Granville Ent. Group are making adjustments that are neccessary to be in compliance, irregardless of how I feel about it this is happening, not because I'm an uptight city dweller but because the laws were broken.---------------------------------------------------"honestly your complaining of city by-laws is pretty weak" ------I don't get your argument? I don't make the by-laws, CoV do. By-laws are by-laws, they are pretty cut and dry. Now considering that city hall received dozens of complaints and requested Granville Ent. Group to make adjustments to the interior of the venue, more drapes, soundproof plexiglass etc It is pretty patently obvious the by-laws were broken and Granville Ent. Group are making adjustments that are neccessary to be in compliance, irregardless of how I feel about it, this is happening not because I'm an uptight city dweller but because the laws were broken.---------------------------------------------------"the Olympics should adjust to you and your uptight downtown neighbours?" -----Ummm, yes I think you will find that us 'uptight residents' were here long before The Irish House was here. 85% of buildings downtown are residential, thats a big majority and I think we should have maybe 'a little' say in what goes on. No? On one hand you say Granville is tame so can't be a basis for my argument but on the other hand you say downtown is noisy, I'm confused? So downtown is either noisy or it isn't? Which will it be? Honestly downtown is quiet for most of the week, always has been, always will be. Granville is quiet half the time because of lack of people for most of the week, not lack of patios. Bars and clubs in Yaletown lie empty for half the week and then fill up with 'bridge and tunnel' folk like yourself at the weekends. Of course any downtown resident has reasonable expectations of noise at the weekend BUT NOT ON A MONDAY NIGHT AT 2AM, because weekday nights are NORMALLY QUIET. Now if there was an expectation that there would be normally noise downtown 7 days a week 365 days a year then maybe I would not have choosen to live downtown. However as illustrated the normal expectation, now, in the past and in the future is that downtown is quiet most nights except the weekends then ergo your argument falls flat on its face. By the way Scott I'm Irish and I'm still planning on dropping in for a pint of the black stuff, but not at the expense of a good nights sleep for myself or my neighbours on a weekday night.
at 20:28 on February 11th, 2010
I'm with you on the noise ourmaninvan! I live in the Metropolitan Towers and the loudest noise I've heard on Granville st. is just a hum in comparison to the LOUD NOISE coming from the Irish House. Last two days were acceptable but Monday was out of control and I assume that sound level will be back once the games starts. And you're saying that if we don't like it we need to leave for 3 weeks? who's going to pay for that? not to mention for those who have jobs, who will do their work and who will pay for the days not worked?
at 08:50 on February 15th, 2010
To anyone bitching about noise, I live downtown too. I live between a hospital and the fire department. I get noise 24/7 and I don't care. When I moved downtown, I took noise as a given. I'm going to have to get used to it, because it's not going to get used to me. My advise to you is to suck it up. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The entire city is abuzz on something that will only happen once in our lifetimes. You have two weeks to deal with this. I don't think that's asking too much. This city has a no fun reputation specifically because of people like you who bitch about stuff like this. You've known this was coming for 7 years. You're telling me that with the disgusting amount of money that you pay for your yaletown highrises that you couldn't plan a two week vacation during the Olympics? Did the fact that 6,000 athletes and international delegates coming to town escape you? Where you unaware of what VANOC and the city of Vancouver were planning? Were you in a cave somewhere in the arctic banging pots over your head so you didn't get forcefed minute by minute Olympic information like the rest of us? This is the Olympics, not the international conference of librarians. It's a two week party. Suck it up. It's no worse than the beginning of the school year when drunken college students stumble around Granville street at 3AM. Why not try to enjoy this? Why not make an attempt at having fun instead of sitting at home pouting? Stop by the Irish House and have a little fun. Or buy earplugs for two weeks. Shopper's has big bags of them on sale.
at 18:11 on February 19th, 2010
Buddy, don't tell me I'm some rich guy because of where I live. I make under $40,000, like a lot of the other renters in the area. Not everyone can afford to take off 3 weeks and leave town during this nonsense, nor should they have to. This wouldn't even be an issue for anyone if they weren't playing concerts in a parking lot at 3am. Can you tell me another part of town that should have expected this type of crap, genius? Because I don't see any, anywhere, and I've been all over town during this having fun with everyone else. This is Irish House situation is unique.No one was anyone told about Irish House in advance. If you think this is no worse than students on Granville in September, or that earplugs have any effect in this case, you clearly have no clue what you're talking about. Congrats on living next to a hospital. You're my hero. I've literally lived right next to the VGH's helicopter landing pad, it had nothing on this.Thanks for your "advice". In exchange, here's mine to you: sharing an uninformed opinion makes you look stupid.
at 21:26 on February 15th, 2010
Quit bitching and get out there and PARTY !!! there was years of notice that the biggest once in a lifetime party was coming. When you chose to live in downtown vancouver did you really believe it was going to be quiet. Call into work and tell them your taking holiday for the next 2 weeks and get out there and enjoy !!!
at 17:57 on February 19th, 2010
Have been. Irish House is still unacceptable, and you're an idiot. The noise from Granville is no problem. No one is complaining about that. We all knew the Olympics were going to be loud.
at 17:59 on February 19th, 2010
Have been getting out there to party, thanks very much. Irish House is still unacceptable, and you're an idiot. The noise from Granville is no problem. No one is complaining about that, genius. We all knew the Olympics were going to be loud. But this is ridiculous. Next person that tells me I'm bitching and being lame gets kicked in the blarney stones.
at 01:55 on February 17th, 2010
some ppl do have jobs and some ppl might have different taste to the so-called party you get. ppl should be able to sleep even if you want to have fun.
at 08:25 on February 26th, 2010
hi