Hangout Handbook

My Saskatoon

BY Ryan BoldtPublished Sep 8, 2014

In our annual Hangout Handbook, Exclaim! asks some of our favourite artists to discuss the hidden gems in their hometowns. Here, the Deep Dark Woods' Ryan Boldt outlines his picks for Saskatoon.

What's your favourite breakfast/brunch spot?
Poached (259 2 Ave. S) is pretty dang good. It's a bar at night and breakfast spot during the day. They have amazing eggs benedict.

What's your favourite coffee/daytime hangout?
Museo (730 Broadway Ave.) has the best coffee in town. Collective Coffee (220 20th Street W.) is great too.

Where's the best dive bar?
Salonika (1025 Louise Ave), it's a Greek restaurant with a shitty bar in the back. Nobody goes there except old alcoholics, so I don't need to worry about stop and chats or awkward conversation.

What's your favourite diner?
The Vietnamese Diner (702 22nd St. W) — first place I ever ate Vietnamese food.

Where do you go for a fancy dinner?
Sobaroso Brazilian Steakhouse (2600 8th St. E) I've eaten there once the night before we started a tour of the Southern U.S., it was a mistake, but very good.

Where's the best movie theatre?
Galaxy (347 2nd Ave S) is good. They're getting a 19+ section where you can bring drinks into the theatre.

What's the signature annual event/festival/community gathering in your city?
Ness Creek is the festival everyone from town goes to. It's a little ways from the city, but it's just a Sunday drive for us prairie people.

Where's your favourite stage?
Amigos (632 10th St. E.) is my favourite venue in town, always has been. Seen loads of great shows there.

Where's the best place to dance?
I can't dance, I'm Mennonite.

What's your favourite record store?
Vinyl Diner (628B Broadway Ave.) Stu knows everything and he's very friendly.

Where's your favourite outdoor space?
The river out near the train bridge is a nice spot.

What favourite hometown activity of yours would surprise people if they heard about it?
I love hanging meat to be cured and then eating said meat after it's been cured.

Ryan Boldt is the singer and guitarist in country band the Deep Dark Woods. Their most recent album, Jubilee, came out last autumn.

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