A long-standing staple of Calgary's musical nightlife, the Republik, is set to shut down for good. The venue has been open in three different locations over the years and will shutter its doors forever at the end of June.
As the Calgary Herald reports, the capacity venue is closing due to finances. With its mid-sized capacity of 500 people, it's hard to find the right shows to keep it regularly packed.
Dan Northfield operates the Republik with business partner Victor Choy. He explained to the Herald that it offers different challenges than the Palomino, where he also works. "You can pack the Palomino.... Maybe get 150 people in the Palomino and it's a wicked party. One hundred and fifty people in the Republik and it looks empty."
The Republik first opened in 1987 at a different address. Two years later, it moved to 17th Avenue SW before shutting in 2000. It opened again in 2007 at a different spot on the same street, eventually returning to the 17th Ave. location it calls home now.
"We love what the Republik is, but we hate the fact it's not doing well financially," Victor Choy, owner of the Republik and its parent company the Concorde Group told the Herald. "There's only so much you can do with the place and then you know it's time."
The Republik will be shut down with a proper send-off at the end of the month, though details are still forthcoming. Prior to then, the venue has a handful of events in the works and will also house a variety of events during Sled Island.
As the Calgary Herald reports, the capacity venue is closing due to finances. With its mid-sized capacity of 500 people, it's hard to find the right shows to keep it regularly packed.
Dan Northfield operates the Republik with business partner Victor Choy. He explained to the Herald that it offers different challenges than the Palomino, where he also works. "You can pack the Palomino.... Maybe get 150 people in the Palomino and it's a wicked party. One hundred and fifty people in the Republik and it looks empty."
The Republik first opened in 1987 at a different address. Two years later, it moved to 17th Avenue SW before shutting in 2000. It opened again in 2007 at a different spot on the same street, eventually returning to the 17th Ave. location it calls home now.
"We love what the Republik is, but we hate the fact it's not doing well financially," Victor Choy, owner of the Republik and its parent company the Concorde Group told the Herald. "There's only so much you can do with the place and then you know it's time."
The Republik will be shut down with a proper send-off at the end of the month, though details are still forthcoming. Prior to then, the venue has a handful of events in the works and will also house a variety of events during Sled Island.
