The "New" Old Port

Always dynamic, the Old Port is undergoing substantial changes to the nightlife scene. There has always been a "center" to Old Port nightlife. In the 80's it was around the corner of Exchange and Fore. The Basement, Seamans Club, OPT, Grittys. A few years later the action moved down Fore st. with the rise of the Tropical Penguin, New Moon, Cadillac Jacks, Shamrocks(now Foreplay), 3 dollar deweys and the Big Easy. In the mid 90's the action shifted to Wharf St: The Forge, Wharfs End, Comedy Connection, Bakers Table, GVannis, The Cage that eventually morphed into: The Dirty Bird(Headliners), Iguana, The Industry, Bitter End, Oasis.

While common perception is that Wharf St was the epicenter of violence and drunkeness, those that are familiar with other cities entertainment districts know it was a vibrant, fun and exciting street. "Back in the day" everyone was allowed to have outdoor seating, everyone got along and the early evening was reminiscent of Lincoln Road.

Now Wharf St is undergoing yet another transformation with most of Tom Mannings venues changing ownership. Diggers/Liquid Blue/Plush(all the same space and license) have been sold to a new operator: Ryan Blyther. Blyther will also be taking over the short lived Cake and changing it to a upscale/casual dining establishment. Diggers/Liquid blue the pub/club combo will be changing to...a pub/club combo!!! Iguana's lease is ending doesn't look like it will be renewed. They are looking for a take out/restaurant for the space. Threeways is gone and Nick, everyone's favorite bartender, is taking over the space still controlled by Mike Harris and will be changed back to the Oasis.

All in all a great outcome for several other bar owners who have slowly organized political resistance against the Wharf/Fore st. bars. Who said capitalism is dead! Why compete when you can get your competitors shut down!

The irony here is that the Old Port serves and will always service a particular market: the 21-27 crowd who dominate nightlife choices. Closing down one bar just shifts the crowd to another, and it will be interesting to see just how long "more upscale" taverns and pubs can point their collective finger at the competitor when there is no one left to pass the buck too. It wasn't Liquid blue, Iguana or Threeways I saw a guy get knifed last year, or a guy get a beer bottle broken over his head. No it was at one of those other establishments...the ones that never get in the paper for violence, loud music or overcapacity.

Tom, I feel bad for you, I really do. Having your business taken away, your licenses denied sucks. But it's always been about divide and conquer and you chose not to ally with the other bars. They knocked us off one by one, and none of you thought you would be next.

First they came for the Communists but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists but I was not one of them, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews but I was not Jewish so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.
Martin Niemoeller