| Old Strathcona |
Article Index for Old |
Shopping Strathcona |
Website Links For Old |
Information AboutOld Strathcona |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT OLD STRATHCONA | |
| neighbourhoods in edmonton | |
| historic districts | |
|
The primary location for bars, nightclubs and lounges on Whyte Ave is between 103 and 109 Street (the area commonly referred to as Old Strathcona) with the majority of bars directly on Whyte Ave. or just off Whyte Ave. on side streets. In the 1990's there were many independent coffee shops on Whyte Avenue, most notably Cafe LaGare, Naked Cyber Cafe, Netwerks New Media Cafe, Buy the Cup, Misty Mountain, and the New York Bagel (recently re-opened in an 'off-Whyte' location after a devastating fire in 2003 that levelled the landmark Alberts Restaurant building on 104 St and Whyte.) Over time, as the area became more saturated with bars (over 30,000 seats in a 4 sq. block radius) many of these businesses closed, leaving only Starbucks, Timothy's, and The Second Cup on the main intersection of 104 St and Whyte. Of this legacy there remains only one cafe, Cafe Mosaic, a popular vegetarian restaurant and coffee destination, that remains from the past era. Whyte Avenue arguably remains the centre of Edmonton's alternative lifestyles, containing various independent clothing and other type of shoppes catering to a variety of alternative subcultures (ranging from hippie to raver to goth etc). Old Strathcona is also arguably the most left wing (liberal/socialist) area in all of Alberta, with the federal riding of Edmonton-Strathcona recording over 25,000 votes for centre and left of centre political groups (primarily NDP and Liberal) in the 2004 Federal Election . However, the Conservative Party retained the district due to this vote being split among several different political parties. Additionally, there are a number of restaurants in this area including "Da-De-O's," "Julio's Barrio," "Café Mosaics" and "Tasty Tom's". Several of the bars also have kitchens including "The One", "The Urban Lounge", "Savoy" and "Blue Sapphire". A large part of the popularity of Whyte Avenue is due to its character buildings. These came about in the early 1900s because of the passing of building codes that required all buildings to be constructed of brick, in reaction to numerous fires. Ironically, a number of fires have occurred recently in the Whyte Ave area, claiming Albert's Family Restaurant and Hub Cigar, among others, resulting in new buildings that have been built in the surrounding style Old Strathcona is home to a vibrant independant theatre scene, with half a dozen theatre companies operating out of several buildings in the neighborhood, including the Arts Barns, Walterdale Playhouse and Catalyst Theatre. The Varscona Theatre alone is home to three award-winning companies: Shadow Theatre, Teatro La Quindicina and improvisation troupe Rapid Fire Theatre. Every August, Old Strathcona plays host to the Edmonton International Fringe Festival , the largest Fringe Theatre event in North America. |
|
|