Very few bars, gay or straight, can claim thirty years of business, but The Roost nightclub in Edmonton can proudly boast that they are the longest running nightclub in Canada (Regina’s GLCR has been in business longer, but they started as a community centre and pub). With a one week celebration running September 16th to the 23rd, we spoke with owner Dow about this milestone event in the gay community.
“We have had a pretty good run. We have tried to support all the groups as we hope in turn they have supported us. We’ve provided a place that people want to be, where they can come, be safe and have fun.”
We asked Dow about the challenges of setting up the bar back in 1977, as opposed to having to set one up today.
“What it really amounts to is that there is a lot more intervention, and sometimes roadblocks, from government agencies; there are more approvals to be obtained and more agencies with their hands out. The costs of construction and manpower far exceeds those encountered thirty years ago.”
Dow has owned the building that houses The Roost for 10 years. With 13,000 square feet of space and a massive outdoor patio, The Roost has been a prime destination. We asked about what has changed in the community since they started.
“I think that the biggest change we see is that different lifestyles are able to merge together. When The Roost was first started we only sold memberships to the GBLT community in order that the patrons would feel no one knew about them. Today our members can go to straight bars and pubs with their friends and fit in, as their straight friends spend Saturday evenings at The Roost. Even with this mix in the patrons we experience almost no problems. The Edmonton Police Service considers us to be very well behaved with less than 3% of the complaint calls received annually by other establishments in our area.”
It has been said that the gay community is in some ways falling apart in cities where homosexuality has become more accepted. We asked Dow if he is seeing a similar trend in Edmonton.
“I do see a gradual move away from spending a lot of time in Gay Bars and establishments as people are now able to go to many other venues without fear of harassment. As a result of this move of GBLT people to other venues we see less need to be open seven days per wee, and in fact we are closed three days: Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday. By owning the building and all equipment, we are able to control our costs as incomes change.”
However, one of the main reasons to support gay business is that they, in turn, support the community. The Roost alone raises thousands of dollars that go to a variety of charities.
“There are lots of things that we do that I don’t think the community knows we do. We pretty much support all of the groups that support us. We do of course have a few pet fundraisers, including the AIDS Research program at the University of Alberta. We, to date, have raised $98,000 for this worthwhile project. When Vincent Richards (Sticky Vicky) was alive he championed many more causes; Breast Cancer, Children’s Wish Foundation, Heart and Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis and many more.”
Like any entertainment venue, The Roost has offered a variety of attractions; from drag shows, amateur strip, and appearances by recording artists and other celebrities. They have been host to Fringe Festival events and the 2006 Sterling Awards production of Bash’d They have a deli within the building that serves food until close, as Dow feels it important that his customers can eat to offset their drinking.
However, Dow says he has no secret formula to keep the community coming back to his business.
“I can’t tell you that I have a solution. We do work very hard to try different things for customers, to keep their interest up. During the summer there are many festivals such as the Fringe, the Fold Festival which are very popular and impact our attendance.”
What does the future hold for the Roost? It’s a difficult question, as the bar and patrons have seen a great deal over the past thirty years.
“I do not see a change in the foreseeable future but, everything has a life cycle and we are not likely to be the exception. Operating The Roost over those thirty years has been both challenging and rewarding for me, and I owe so much thanks to so many people for their support.”

The Roost turns 30
September 16th to 23rd, 2007
10345 104 Street
Edmonton AB
(780) 426-3150
http://www.theroostniteclub.com