Seems that the Castle in B'ville is closed, supposedly because of a number of infractions. Scuttlebut is that the owner MAY decide to leave it closed forever, but that is uncertain according to my source. Anyone have more info?
What's Up with the Castle?
- Thread starter Nameless_1
- Start date
N_1 ...It closed as of Monday, and the staff were telling me it will be closed for at least a couple of months. Apparently, as you suggested, they have been under increasing pressure from inspectors of all sorts - Fire, health, bylaw, etc, and the cost for renovations to meet the fire code were really high (the building is old). I believe the owner is trying to fight them during the closed period, and will make a decision regarding reopening pending the outcome of the negotiations. As an aside, the people who manage/co own the Castle also manage/co-own Jilly's.
I fear local council is not interested in an establishment of this nature in Bowmanville, and has done everything it can to make continuuing in business difficult - quite successfully it would appear. RIP another Durham club? Could very well be.
Regards,
ionu
I fear local council is not interested in an establishment of this nature in Bowmanville, and has done everything it can to make continuuing in business difficult - quite successfully it would appear. RIP another Durham club? Could very well be.
Regards,
ionu
Ionu:
Great info - thanks. Fits perfectly with what I had heard. What a bummer for Liz, the super waitress with the mega-chest. Used to work at the Dynasty until it closed. BTW, the club in Courtice (name escapes me - maybe Tanglewood??) was hoping to get some of the clientel and dancers from the Castle when it closed. Somehow I doubt too many will find it attractive, but who knows?
One more, what and where is Jilly's? Search returns blank. Have I been missing something?
Great info - thanks. Fits perfectly with what I had heard. What a bummer for Liz, the super waitress with the mega-chest. Used to work at the Dynasty until it closed. BTW, the club in Courtice (name escapes me - maybe Tanglewood??) was hoping to get some of the clientel and dancers from the Castle when it closed. Somehow I doubt too many will find it attractive, but who knows?
One more, what and where is Jilly's? Search returns blank. Have I been missing something?
Jilly's is a club on the East side of downtown Toronto (Queen & Broadview I think?)..haven't been there in a while, though.
And yes, you're right it is called the Tanglewood...believe it or not I went there with my Father-In-Law a few years back...and, to put it mildly...was not impressed. It was really bright, had tile floors and you sat on patio furniture...and the dancers...eewwww! All of them were about 50+ years of age. Swore I'd never go again....but, I guess never say never. With the Dynasty and Castle closed...I might *shudder* venture again. I'll let you know if it's any better if I go.
Regards,
ionu
And yes, you're right it is called the Tanglewood...believe it or not I went there with my Father-In-Law a few years back...and, to put it mildly...was not impressed. It was really bright, had tile floors and you sat on patio furniture...and the dancers...eewwww! All of them were about 50+ years of age. Swore I'd never go again....but, I guess never say never. With the Dynasty and Castle closed...I might *shudder* venture again. I'll let you know if it's any better if I go.
Regards,
ionu
(Note: Originally posted on Kiarra's board)
OK...Now that I've had a disinfecting shower, and as promised, I... umm... stopped in at the Tanglewood this afternoon,you know ...to see if it had improved since the last time I was there (about 5 years ago), and since all the other clubs in the region have shut down.
I honestly don't know where to begin....so...I'll just give an account of my 45 minutes there...(I have no idea why I stayed so excruciatingly long...call it dedication to getting the 'full experience' for you guys).
I walked down the stairs and entered what can only be described as a small room decorated a la seventies basement, with vintage Canadian Tire patio furniture for seating. Bad country music playing, sports on TV. About 9, fairly unsavoury/rundown looking charcters around the bar and seated sporadically throughout. I actually felt a little nervous, and with the exception of the bartender, not a female in sight. I perch myself at the bar, and ask for my favourite brew....bartender had never heard of it (Canadian Light). Settle for a Coor's Light and proceed to take in the atmosphere. (It REALLY stinks, by the way...old cigar smoke mixed with barf maybe??...and I smoke!). Anyway, the room is fairly small by bar standards, closer to a large basement with very low ceiling - couple of pool tables, and some assorted video games situated here and there amidst the patio furniture. Very small stage, maybe 5'X10' with single pole dead centre. Suddenly, behold, another girl appears...quite overweight, and not in a good way...but, being the sharp guy that I am realize she MUST be a 'dancer' in view of her thigh high boots (size - large). She immediately heads up these side stairs with a customer, and I begin to think "hey....interesting"....but... turns out these side stairs simply lead out back where everyone goes to smoke. Then, another very large girl appears from ANOTHER set of stairs, and asks me if I want a dance. "Ummm...NOOO...but, you know, thanks for asking." She then proceeds behind the bar and...get this...the music stops and there is dead silence in the place...the bartender and 'dancer' are rummaging around looking for a CD (apparently, this girl decided she was going to go on stage). An argument erupts between these two amid the otherwise DEAD SILENCE...and continued for some time (note comments re: nervousness earlier on). I feel like a complete idiot. Finally the dancer storms back up the stairs from whence she came. Music (finally) comes back on...note that bartender is also DJ. Anyway, after all this commotion, I have sighted 4 distinct dancers, all overweight, but one mildly attractive if you could get by the tattoos. After awhile, another dancer decides to take the stage, and at least she knows what songs she wants...apparently "Track 5 from this CD, Track 8 from that" etc. So the bartender, again in dead silence, clicks through the tracks to reach the agreed upon song. The overweight lady begins a rather desultry dance to, again, some really bad country (and I like country). While she is dancing, the first girl (remember? the one who had an argument with the bartender?) returns with I can only assume was the manager, and now the bartender, the dancer, AND the manager get into ANOTHER heated argument (keep in mind, many of you likely have basements bigger than this place). While this is going on, the song finishes for the poor girl attempting to dance on stage. The argument continues in an otherwise DEAD SILENT room. Finally, they decide to put some more music on for this poor girl....so...click click click....to track 8.
<To Be Continued>
OK...Now that I've had a disinfecting shower, and as promised, I... umm... stopped in at the Tanglewood this afternoon,you know ...to see if it had improved since the last time I was there (about 5 years ago), and since all the other clubs in the region have shut down.
I honestly don't know where to begin....so...I'll just give an account of my 45 minutes there...(I have no idea why I stayed so excruciatingly long...call it dedication to getting the 'full experience' for you guys).
I walked down the stairs and entered what can only be described as a small room decorated a la seventies basement, with vintage Canadian Tire patio furniture for seating. Bad country music playing, sports on TV. About 9, fairly unsavoury/rundown looking charcters around the bar and seated sporadically throughout. I actually felt a little nervous, and with the exception of the bartender, not a female in sight. I perch myself at the bar, and ask for my favourite brew....bartender had never heard of it (Canadian Light). Settle for a Coor's Light and proceed to take in the atmosphere. (It REALLY stinks, by the way...old cigar smoke mixed with barf maybe??...and I smoke!). Anyway, the room is fairly small by bar standards, closer to a large basement with very low ceiling - couple of pool tables, and some assorted video games situated here and there amidst the patio furniture. Very small stage, maybe 5'X10' with single pole dead centre. Suddenly, behold, another girl appears...quite overweight, and not in a good way...but, being the sharp guy that I am realize she MUST be a 'dancer' in view of her thigh high boots (size - large). She immediately heads up these side stairs with a customer, and I begin to think "hey....interesting"....but... turns out these side stairs simply lead out back where everyone goes to smoke. Then, another very large girl appears from ANOTHER set of stairs, and asks me if I want a dance. "Ummm...NOOO...but, you know, thanks for asking." She then proceeds behind the bar and...get this...the music stops and there is dead silence in the place...the bartender and 'dancer' are rummaging around looking for a CD (apparently, this girl decided she was going to go on stage). An argument erupts between these two amid the otherwise DEAD SILENCE...and continued for some time (note comments re: nervousness earlier on). I feel like a complete idiot. Finally the dancer storms back up the stairs from whence she came. Music (finally) comes back on...note that bartender is also DJ. Anyway, after all this commotion, I have sighted 4 distinct dancers, all overweight, but one mildly attractive if you could get by the tattoos. After awhile, another dancer decides to take the stage, and at least she knows what songs she wants...apparently "Track 5 from this CD, Track 8 from that" etc. So the bartender, again in dead silence, clicks through the tracks to reach the agreed upon song. The overweight lady begins a rather desultry dance to, again, some really bad country (and I like country). While she is dancing, the first girl (remember? the one who had an argument with the bartender?) returns with I can only assume was the manager, and now the bartender, the dancer, AND the manager get into ANOTHER heated argument (keep in mind, many of you likely have basements bigger than this place). While this is going on, the song finishes for the poor girl attempting to dance on stage. The argument continues in an otherwise DEAD SILENT room. Finally, they decide to put some more music on for this poor girl....so...click click click....to track 8.
<To Be Continued>
Part II...of my afternoonl...Postal Code?? ...HELL...
Finally...I must report on the "VIP facilities". I saw one soul brave enough to get a "dance" (I have no idea what to label it...certainly not lap...and barely definable as "table" for reasons that shall become apparent). I watch them as they get up, because I'm trying to figure out where they are going to go. It turns out the VIP is directly to the left of the stage, and consists of a hamburger joint style booth, only the benches are a bit further apart, and there is no table in the centre. The dancer brings in a patio chair, and sits infront of you while you sit on the bench. I can only imagine if two gents wanted a dance simultaneously...you would be looking straight at each other, with maybe 4 feet between you...this 4 feet occupied by your two chosen dancers, and presumably, two patio chairs. This is exactly three feet to the left of the "stage"....this three feet reserved for...get this...so you can walk to the washrooms, the door of which is conveniently located between the "stage" and the "VIP". Keep in mind how small this place is, so the "VIP" dancing is directly to the left of the stage, and in full view of the entire bar. Why one would pay for this privelege, as opposed to waiting till she comes on stage eludes me....unless you just wanted to get the hell out of there, but had to see a particular girl naked before you left. A sentiment I might understand if there was anything worth even a passing glance.
Needless to say....I left...and although I know none of you asked me to undergo this torture, I still think you all owe me!!!!!!
Final Stats (per Mr. K's reviews)
Beer $4.00 (if they actually have your brand)
VIP No Cover :rofl:
Repeat: For comedic relief only....ie NEVER
PS...This place makes the Castle look like the Taj Mahal of adult entertainment
Finally...I must report on the "VIP facilities". I saw one soul brave enough to get a "dance" (I have no idea what to label it...certainly not lap...and barely definable as "table" for reasons that shall become apparent). I watch them as they get up, because I'm trying to figure out where they are going to go. It turns out the VIP is directly to the left of the stage, and consists of a hamburger joint style booth, only the benches are a bit further apart, and there is no table in the centre. The dancer brings in a patio chair, and sits infront of you while you sit on the bench. I can only imagine if two gents wanted a dance simultaneously...you would be looking straight at each other, with maybe 4 feet between you...this 4 feet occupied by your two chosen dancers, and presumably, two patio chairs. This is exactly three feet to the left of the "stage"....this three feet reserved for...get this...so you can walk to the washrooms, the door of which is conveniently located between the "stage" and the "VIP". Keep in mind how small this place is, so the "VIP" dancing is directly to the left of the stage, and in full view of the entire bar. Why one would pay for this privelege, as opposed to waiting till she comes on stage eludes me....unless you just wanted to get the hell out of there, but had to see a particular girl naked before you left. A sentiment I might understand if there was anything worth even a passing glance.
Needless to say....I left...and although I know none of you asked me to undergo this torture, I still think you all owe me!!!!!!
Final Stats (per Mr. K's reviews)
Beer $4.00 (if they actually have your brand)
VIP No Cover :rofl:
Repeat: For comedic relief only....ie NEVER
PS...This place makes the Castle look like the Taj Mahal of adult entertainment
Late:
Too true! My expression would be that clubs in Durham, rather than falling, have committed economic suicide by providing all-around low quality at high prices.
N_1
Too true! My expression would be that clubs in Durham, rather than falling, have committed economic suicide by providing all-around low quality at high prices.
N_1
Oil:
I can always tell someone who is intelligent, well-informed, and wise - their opinions are the same as my own. (grin)
N_1
I can always tell someone who is intelligent, well-informed, and wise - their opinions are the same as my own. (grin)
N_1
