Thursday, August 27, 2009

Cock 'n Bull story (Montreal Mirror)

Someone mentioned this story the other day ,or at least drew our attention to the Gazette story ,re: the end of the Cock 'n Bull Pub.......here's another story about it,from the Montreal Mirror:

   

A Cock n’ Bull story

After 44 years, a historic downtown
dive closes its doors


HOME AWAY FROM HOME:
Cock n’ Bull barflies get their suds in while they can



by ROXANE HUDON

“It’s a home away from home, no matter where you’re from. If you’re here, you’re home,” says Tony Webb, cradling a glass of cheap beer and sitting at the same coin-encrusted bar he’s been sitting at for the past 40 years.

Under a barn-like red roof shining like a beacon of greatness amid a whole lot of downtown crap, Webb is not the only one in this city who’s started a day, ended a night, drank some Keith’s, spilt the rest and yelled at the jukebox at the Cock n’ Bull.

Opened in 1966 by Peter Barry, the bar’s business started going sour after a couple of decades, until a little lady named Ellen McCann took over in 1989. Since then, it’s been her family serving you drinks, keeping you in line and making the Cock n’ Bull the relic that it is today.

“I’ve been tending bar for 20 years in between my four children. I even broke water with my last baby here,” says the owner’s daughter, Missy McCann, sitting across from her husband and the bar’s manager, Christopher Beeker.

August 31 will mark the end of an era for this family-owned and run wonder of a bar.

On that day, the McCanns lose the place they’ve called home for the last two decades when Peter Sergakis, one of Montreal’s biggest bar owners and proprietor of such gems as the shit-hole sports bar across the street, takes over the lease.

For regulars like Webb, the bar might as well be closing.

“It’s not these four walls. It’s the people that make this place,” says Ann Meldrum, who’s been on staff for seven years.

A regular customer since 1994, Michel Masson tries to tell me the same thing. His friend who gives me his “artist name” of “BenArt” often interrupts with a slur customary of only the greatest Cock n’ Bull conversations.

“I know everybody here, I’m very respected. I’ve never had any problems. If I did, the people would be banned from the bar,” says Masson, who held his long-term boyfriend’s wake at the Cock n’ Bull. “I’ll never come back here, it won’t be the same.”

As the oldest surviving customer and the artist responsible for most of the drawings in the bar, Webb thinks the spirit will get lost. “But the memories of this place: ‘Oh My!’” he exclaims.


BEACON OF GREATNESS:
The space will remain, but regulars won’t return

Guns, girls and heart attacks

If these walls could talk, they wouldn’t have better stories than the people here.

“This was the best armed pub in the entire British Empire!” exclaims Webb, describing how guns used to hang from every wall back in the early days.

Missy McCann tells me how she once lent a guy $20 to buy a girl a drink. He came back a year later, gave her back the money and introduced her to his fiancée. “One guy even lost his ear here once, but we saved it for him. Maybe you don’t wanna print that one,” she laughs.

“I once had a heart attack on the stage. I was back here the next day,” says BenArt, who also specifies that he’s “not old, but just has a lot of experience.”

For many of these people, they’re not just losing a bar, but a community: the ultimate Cock n’ Bull story.

“It’s a huge chunk of my life working here. I always thought it would never be over. It’s one of those things that are always there, you kinda take it for granted,” says McCann.

Still, the family is looking forward, to a new story and a new bar.

“We’re trying to find our new place, we have a place in mind. As soon as we get it, we’re gonna tell everyone where we are,” says McCann, hoping the new bar will have the same luck as the Cock n’ Bull.

This weekend, they’re throwing a final farewell party to “Ye Olde Cock n’ Bull.” Masson and Webb will be at their regular spots, swapping stories. Missy will be asking you with her usual warmth: “What can I get ya?” The old busboy Tony will be limping about, winking at the ladies and picking up your dirty pitchers. Ellen McCann will be making sure everybody is comfortable and safe, just as she has for the past 20 years. I’ll be yelling in a corner, and at the end of the night, we’ll all meet at the bar.

FAREWELL TO YE OLDE COCK N’ BULL:
THE GOODBYE PARTY, FEAT. PERFORMANCE
BY THE SHAKES, DRINK
SPECIALS, 1944 STE-CATHERINE W.,
SATURDAY, AUG. 22, 7 P.M.

 

 

10 comments:

Sherry Hummell said...

Boy, I remember the Cock and Bull - and my good friend Anne Bishop, who's out West now. Back in the early to mid 70's many of us went back and forth between there and Station 10, at the time run by Barclay Allen, and ex Al and Ticat player. Between those two places, many of us barely went home St Pat's weekends - good breakfast each morning at the C&B and just good friends between both places. There was some good Irish etc music played there too! We'd eat either at the Cheeseburger joint run by some Yugloslavs - who were really nice or a few doors over on Ste Cath and Fort St was an India restaurant where we'd get this fab garlic pita bread. Thanks for the memories!

Les F said...

It's neat to have a memory prompt from Montreal/Verdun etc etc .......are you still intouch with your friend from BC ? .....Cheers' HF&RV
I always remember Montreal clubs as being distinctly memorable for whatever reasons .but I suppose that goes for all other places we've all been too.......

Sherry Hummell said...

Sorry to say we have lost touch - but it makes me want to see if I can contact her again - they WERE good days after all!

Les F said...

I know this is a long shot,but could this Anne Bishop be your long lost friend ?
Anne Bishop
Anne Bishop is a community development worker and popular educator. She has also worked in the field of international development. For almost thirty years she has been part of, and worked with, many groups struggling to achieve social justice.

Books by Anne Bishop
Grassroots Leaders Building Skills
The Henson College Certificate in Community Development
Anne Bishop
“Empowerment is the word. I’ve been forced to break out of my own circle and see more. I have a direction now in my community, more involvement in activism.”—student evaluating the Henson College Certificate in Community Development. This course was designed to sharpen social analysis and develop skills in leaders of low-income and marginalized communities in Nova Scotia. Taught by two experienced community workers and funded by two major Canadian foundations, it graduated… (more information)
Beyond Token Change
Breaking the Cycle of Oppression in Institutions
Anne Bishop
Bishop offers a clear analysis of the real situation of institutional oppression, to which many people can relate. She addresses the need for people to look beyond the oppression of individuals so we can take action to address the larger factors that are so often missed or ignored. Readers of this book will appreciate her contributions and efforts to positively change our societies. —Michael Anthony Hart, University of Manitoba, Faculty of Social Work Bishop’s follow up to Becoming… (more information)
Becoming an Ally, 2nd Edition
Breaking the Cycle of Oppression in People
Anne Bishop
Praise for the first Edition: After my second reading of Becoming An Ally, I see many more reprints of the well-argued, well-researched, nonpolemical but gentle and helpful book. Absorbing the topic is made that much easier by the comfortable and yet authoritative tone Ms. Bishop uses. The book makes a good friend. It listens and teaches, and it urges courage and trust. Heather Haas Barclay, Ontario Association of Social Workers Western Branch Newsletter, Sept. 2001 This new edition is expanded… (more information)
..................here's the actual weblink,if it's your friend then maybe you can re-connect with her...?
http://www.fernwoodpublishing.ca/author/26

Sherry Hummell said...

I don't believe so. I could be wrong but she had not gotten into the "activism" area back then - was something "up her tree". I will let you know if anything comes of finding her. Thanks for trying for me though!

Marie gee said...

The Bull Pub has moved to 2170 saint catherine west...really nice place!!

Les F said...

Looks like 2170 used to be the Oxford Italien Cafe or resto cafe since 1944 (on their sign) & if it is the same place then it has moved to NDG. but in the Google Street View available right now it shows that it was the Oxford & in the photo up some stairs it had a sign reading 'Tavern' so it makes sense using an existing spot. The Bull Pub must be trying to get in before the rents go up from the building of the (or rather the renewing) of the old Seville Theater which would be almost directly across St Catherine from the pub................... Thnaks for the input & update to the pub..... Cheers !! HF&RV

Marie gee said...

The old Cock N Bull is now the " BULL PUB"

Marie gee said...

Check them out on Facebook.....Le Bull
or their website: bullpub.ca

Marie gee said...

Check them out on Facebook.....Le Bull
or their website: bullpub.ca