Simon PoitrimoltMcGill is a serious place, with serious students, who, I am very certain, have focus and determination unmatched by any neighbouring post-secondary institution. The nature of our student body ensures, however, that our school is also a place where taking yourself seriously is the must-have accessory for every season. Having a haven for no frills, no regrets, and no (significant) repercussions seems to be the missing ingredient needed to transform the stress swarmed walls of the McLennan-Redpath complex into a warmer and more welcoming environment for studies.
We used to have it, but it slipped away. No one knows how, and no one knows why. If you are currently in your third or last year, you know what I am talking about. Unfortunately, if you’re a freshman or sophomore (or a local), your knowledge of “Lodge Mondays,” “A-Side,” or simply “‘90s night” is limited to a legend, causing considerable awe and envy. The multiple points of reference to this unique establishment is a beacon of its ability to hold resonance with students of all backgrounds, interests, programs, and so on. Whether one’s preference for social interaction was a house party, casual bar, or crowded club, A-Side offered a joining of all three worlds—an eclectic and unparalleled venue of fun for everyone.
Whether you were a gung-ho A-Sider dressing in your Value Village ‘90s apparel every Monday, or a last minute recruit finally convincing yourself that going out was indeed the right decision, you knew as soon as you entered the room and recognized friendly faces as far back as the rear platform, or as close up as the impromptu dance floor near the entrance that you had made the right choice. Old episodes of Saved By The Bell flickered in the background while the bartender with an uncanny and fitting resemblance to A.C. Slater (Mario Lopez) served you a pitcher for the excellent price of $8; this bundle of beer served with straws for you to conveniently share with both your bestest of pals and people you barely knew. It was the exact same situation every week. You knew what to expect, and you liked it.
Nick Charleton, a recent graduate of McGill, came to visit last weekend. When asked why he wan’t staying for the duration of the weekend, Charelton said that he would stay, if ‘90s night still existed. He explained the irreplaceable nature of A-Side and how he loved that it was “gross, disgusting, but most importantly I loved to go watch old episodes of my favourite show.” Alan Dick, U3 engineering, agreed and added that he particularly loved the “classic bangers and sweaty people.”
What was once a venue for civilized people to throw away the pretense of presenting oneself in an appropriate manner no longer exists. Now a much less popular establishment named “Pinq Taco” has taken A-Side’s place, and the glory of A-Side’s Mondays has diminished to honourable attempts at revival from neighbouring bars, memories, and a few antique Facebook albums (which are now probably hidden).
At its most basic level, A-Side offered a one-way ticket to fun on the most unlikely of evenings, allowing the week to feel more like an extended weekend with a couple days devoted to work in between. But on a deeper level, within the wooden walls of A-Side lay remnants of our identity, camouflaged in corny yet excellent music, unstylish yet vivid clothing, and inexpensive yet worthy beverages, all of which provide us with a path to remember the carefree kids we once were; something so easily forgotten amidst the all-consuming pressures of being an undergrad at McGill.
With the obvious correlation between heightened stress levels and the lack of A-Side in our lives, the question must be considered: does going insane for a concentrated couple of hours help preserve sanity throughout the week? That swarming anxiety that accompanies our awareness that, with each and every click of the clock, we’re one step closer to nervously gripping that expensive piece of paper in our hand, could perhaps rest lighter on our conscience if A-Side Mondays still existed.
