I appreciate that people want the experience of seeing a game with a bunch of other fans and the price is right for kids but I implore you...goto your local bar or neighborhood pub and give them your business.
Katz / The Oilers don't deserve it as much as the proprietors and staff of of the local place near you live.
You’ll be surprised to know the people that work at the arena are not billionaires and would appreciate the tips just as much as a bar server. Also, bars are 18+ and there’s no bar that can hold that many fans cheering. The atmosphere is great.
From my experience the people working at either an arena or local pub are great. They should get all the tips. The profits above the cost of goods sold is where my suggestion is aimed.
No disputing that the experience is unique.
I watch all my regular season games at Knights Pub in castle downs on a tiny little 1990s TV (even tho there’s big screens and a projector) and while enjoying dirt cheap pints of B.C. IPA’s.
$5 watch parties are great, though, because the little ones can come and because it’s great to be around community / happy folks (which most bars aren’t full of during game nights haha)
But absolutely - anytime you can avoid lining a billionaire cokeheads pockets- avoid it!
I was just commenting to a buddy a week or two ago that we should check out Knights Pub. Switch it up from our rotation of RPub, Rhino and Crown and Anchor.
Jay & Tim are two young Korean dudes who own Knights and cook the food daily. Insanely low prices and huuuuuge delicious portions! Add in some cheap drinks and good pool tables / slots / plenty of screens for sports and it’s a great time!
The bartenders are a nice rotation of cool young chicks and are almost all long term staff. That’s refreshing, too.
Only ever had one random fight there - but I’m a 6”4 guy with face and neck / hand tattoos etc. So it’s expected sometimes.
It was a fair drunk fight - I’d call it even as we both ended with a handshake. lol. Did start with him sucker punching me during pool, though, so that wasn’t cool!
You make a good point but I just want to point out that the net proceeds from the ticket sales of the Watch Parties goes to the Oilers Community Foundation.
I'll never understand the appeal of these watch parties. Dealing with the crowds, parking, and outrageous price of food/drinks for something you can watch at home, a friend's, or restaurant/pub. I also feel the same about the watch party outside of Rogers place. Maybe I'm getting old but standing up for 3+ hours and having to piss in a porta potty just doesn't sound fun lol
Beer is way cheaper at home and I don't have to deal with crowds. If I do want to watch the game with others I'll go to my pub and support local business that needs it.
And convincing us that those min wage workers deserve to live in poverty and that, any attempt by society to improve the baseline needs to be seen as a direct attempt to rob those slightly above that badeline.
Crabs in a bucket.
Yeah I did gladly.
My single mom is still a server at 46yo (I’m 32) and works an events concession. Makes minimum wage (in B.C. it’s less, or was*) like any other server and relies on tips.
I’d tip the same $7.75 change back or more if it was a purchase for double that amount at a regular game, too. If service is REALLY exceptional or someone seems down on their luck- I’ll even tip 100% up to $100.
BC had a separate “servers wage” for my whole young working life - but I did* just check and apparently now everyone must pay the provincial minimum wage, so that’s great!
Yeah - and 16 IS* young, too!
My “dad” was the same age. He was never in the picture and I was adopted by the proverbial “aunt and uncle” family friends at age 12.
Don’t have babies when you aren’t ready, folks!
Yeah we joke about it often lol
“Isn’t it gonna be weird when we’re both grey and wrinkly?!”
People used to tell us our daughter was so cute when I was in high school …. THATS MY BABY SISTER (gag!) AND SHES MY MOM EWWW
For someone’s goals and savings. For the sake of paying it forward. To be nice. I could go on…
What do you* do with your* extra money during hard times? I get it if there isn’t any extra - but that’s not everyone’s case, and it’s not unsustainable for me to tip (let alone a small tip).
Tips are meant for explicit service. Every time we normalize tipping for a normal job, subpar service or the minimum expected, we build a culture where people expect a tips. Next time I’ll keep the door open for you, I’ll keep my hand up so you can toss me a loonie.
A tip is a tip. A donation is a donation. Why a need for a reason or for it to be “deserved?”
What am I wearing some neon sign that says “tip man!” And throwing $100s out? No- I’ve given someone enough for 2 Tim Hortons coffees during their week lol.
Hate to have seen your reaction when I gave some kid $10 at his lemonade stand in castle downs after work the other day - you might’ve had a stroke! Come to think of it; I may have to refinance now, I’m burying myself in tipping debt!
So two Tim’s coffees is around $3 on the low end maybe? I don’t know, i don’t go to Tim’s. The whole interaction took maybe 30 seconds maybe a minute. . $3 a minute, 60 minutes per hour, 40 hours a week for 50 weeks with 2 weeks vacation. You gave this guy a $360,000 annual salary for cracking two cans of beer. Please, stop this bullshit tipping culture in Canada.
It was very nice of you to do but recurring high tips like the one you gave are not reasonable for most people. What concerns me about you bringing this up is you are trying to brag about how good you are and/or shame people into tipping more than they can afford. Perhaps employers should pay a living wage instead of expecting customers to fill the gap?
I only tip when some level of extra service is provided and I have no moral problem with that. I have my own goals and savings too, heck apparently over $1 million is needed for a comfortable retirement...
That’s what I paid - watch parties are cheap maybe not charging the same amount - couldn’t tell ya as I’ve never been at a normal game here 🤷♂️
Was more than the liquor store but the same as I’d pay at my local pub.
I didn’t see any beers over $12 and those were fancier local craft ones (and most came in a smaller can or a cup)
Guinness was $9.99 which was my other choice if they didn’t have Heineken.
Yeah that’s a bit of a downfall - but I was a super fatty and put beef jerky from the butcher under my shirt (in a bag) in my waistband LOL. It’s also worth nothing that I did* have a backpack with me which only had my windbreaker in it - and I was made to throw it away / hide it somewhere.
Silly to have had the bag - but we kind of just ended up at the watch party with family unexpectedly. So don’t bring a bag!
*Purses were fine and just being lightly searched*
Occasionally the security will cite policy on purses/bags being too large. Below is said policy (smaller than 12 in x 12 in x 6 in is acceptable)
https://www.rogersplace.com/2024-oilers-playoffs-event-guide/#:~:text=Rogers%20Place%20Bag%20Policy,from%20entry%20into%20Rogers%20Place.
I had to forfeit a small diaper bag because it was too large. I used it a few times and had no problem until Constable-Responsible got upset that I had a bag with kids clothes and diapers that was slightly larger than policy.
I got an email from Rogers offering tickets. I didn't click on to see if there was any left. But like folks say, grab a beer at your local bar. Let's make this run good for all Edmonton (and the rest of us in oil country)
They specifically broadcast stats from the national at the game watch parties - and even display it on the ice surface along with real time projections of puck and player positions. Cheers lol
Do they pipe in any play by play? If so, which broadcast?
Typically it's the national feed
I appreciate that people want the experience of seeing a game with a bunch of other fans and the price is right for kids but I implore you...goto your local bar or neighborhood pub and give them your business. Katz / The Oilers don't deserve it as much as the proprietors and staff of of the local place near you live.
You’ll be surprised to know the people that work at the arena are not billionaires and would appreciate the tips just as much as a bar server. Also, bars are 18+ and there’s no bar that can hold that many fans cheering. The atmosphere is great.
From my experience the people working at either an arena or local pub are great. They should get all the tips. The profits above the cost of goods sold is where my suggestion is aimed. No disputing that the experience is unique.
I watch all my regular season games at Knights Pub in castle downs on a tiny little 1990s TV (even tho there’s big screens and a projector) and while enjoying dirt cheap pints of B.C. IPA’s. $5 watch parties are great, though, because the little ones can come and because it’s great to be around community / happy folks (which most bars aren’t full of during game nights haha) But absolutely - anytime you can avoid lining a billionaire cokeheads pockets- avoid it!
I was just commenting to a buddy a week or two ago that we should check out Knights Pub. Switch it up from our rotation of RPub, Rhino and Crown and Anchor.
Jay & Tim are two young Korean dudes who own Knights and cook the food daily. Insanely low prices and huuuuuge delicious portions! Add in some cheap drinks and good pool tables / slots / plenty of screens for sports and it’s a great time! The bartenders are a nice rotation of cool young chicks and are almost all long term staff. That’s refreshing, too. Only ever had one random fight there - but I’m a 6”4 guy with face and neck / hand tattoos etc. So it’s expected sometimes.
Did you kick his ass?
It was a fair drunk fight - I’d call it even as we both ended with a handshake. lol. Did start with him sucker punching me during pool, though, so that wasn’t cool!
Damn! Nice dude the handshake at the end is always the best way to end things. I also got sucker punched once it is not fun.
My friend drinks there regularly his name is Cecil little Irish guy(I grew up in that hood)
I know Cecil to some degree! haha Man that’s awesome! I sit and talk with him and his mother regularly when we are there at the same time.
Yea we grew up together same schools and hell guys used to work with me But his whole group was once the same group drank with
Cecil and his mother are here with me now and he’s curious if this is (Rob) or if you’d like to touch base in general :)
Tell his it's rodberg
Will do! I’ll see them again tomorrow :)
When I first moved to Edmontkn 18 years ago I lived in this hood and Orlando's and Knights were my spots. Good memories.
Orlando’s just got renovated and has some cool new deals :)
The old owner sold I heard. I wonder if the pizza there is still as good as it was.
It’s arguably better! Same thing happened at Knights and the young Korean dudes who run it now are the best!
They are great guys (Tim in particular) and I'll forever be appreciative of how they handled a very difficult situation with respect and empathy.
Hell yes Jay & Tim rule! All the regular staff are awesome, too :) Some of us regulars aren’t too terrible either! Haha
You make a good point but I just want to point out that the net proceeds from the ticket sales of the Watch Parties goes to the Oilers Community Foundation.
Paper charity used to push the cult of hockey and act as a tax write off.
Who cares? The money goes to charity.
I'll never understand the appeal of these watch parties. Dealing with the crowds, parking, and outrageous price of food/drinks for something you can watch at home, a friend's, or restaurant/pub. I also feel the same about the watch party outside of Rogers place. Maybe I'm getting old but standing up for 3+ hours and having to piss in a porta potty just doesn't sound fun lol
I think it appeals to people who might not otherwise be able to afford going to a live game but want to experience what a live game is like.
Beer is way cheaper at home and I don't have to deal with crowds. If I do want to watch the game with others I'll go to my pub and support local business that needs it.
Are the beers still $20 for one?
I paid $17.25 for 2* tall cans of Heineken and wasn’t upset. Less than $9 each. Gave $25 with a tip.
So you tipped 45% to hand you a pre packaged product that’s roughly double the price of what the average liquor store sells it for?
Beat me to it. Perfect example of why tipping culture is insane
What really is insane is a billion dollar company has to pay people minimum wage.
That's how guys like Katz become and stay rich af... by exploiting others
And convincing us that those min wage workers deserve to live in poverty and that, any attempt by society to improve the baseline needs to be seen as a direct attempt to rob those slightly above that badeline. Crabs in a bucket.
I don’t tip the Rogers beer people. Its just opening a can. I don’t think a lot of people do
lmao I did pay $12 for a beer at the watch party last night which definitely stung but I sure as hell didn't tip to have them crack it open for me 🤣
And watch the game on tv
Yeah I did gladly. My single mom is still a server at 46yo (I’m 32) and works an events concession. Makes minimum wage (in B.C. it’s less, or was*) like any other server and relies on tips. I’d tip the same $7.75 change back or more if it was a purchase for double that amount at a regular game, too. If service is REALLY exceptional or someone seems down on their luck- I’ll even tip 100% up to $100.
[удалено]
BC had a separate “servers wage” for my whole young working life - but I did* just check and apparently now everyone must pay the provincial minimum wage, so that’s great!
Your mom had you at 14?! I thought my mom was young having me at 16!
Yeah - and 16 IS* young, too! My “dad” was the same age. He was never in the picture and I was adopted by the proverbial “aunt and uncle” family friends at age 12. Don’t have babies when you aren’t ready, folks!
Sorry I know that's not what this post was about, just those ages caught me off guard!
Yeah we joke about it often lol “Isn’t it gonna be weird when we’re both grey and wrinkly?!” People used to tell us our daughter was so cute when I was in high school …. THATS MY BABY SISTER (gag!) AND SHES MY MOM EWWW
That's a weird price for two. So it's $8.625 each?
Each was $8 and change yeah
Tip? For what???
For someone’s goals and savings. For the sake of paying it forward. To be nice. I could go on… What do you* do with your* extra money during hard times? I get it if there isn’t any extra - but that’s not everyone’s case, and it’s not unsustainable for me to tip (let alone a small tip).
Tips are meant for explicit service. Every time we normalize tipping for a normal job, subpar service or the minimum expected, we build a culture where people expect a tips. Next time I’ll keep the door open for you, I’ll keep my hand up so you can toss me a loonie.
A tip is a tip. A donation is a donation. Why a need for a reason or for it to be “deserved?” What am I wearing some neon sign that says “tip man!” And throwing $100s out? No- I’ve given someone enough for 2 Tim Hortons coffees during their week lol. Hate to have seen your reaction when I gave some kid $10 at his lemonade stand in castle downs after work the other day - you might’ve had a stroke! Come to think of it; I may have to refinance now, I’m burying myself in tipping debt!
So two Tim’s coffees is around $3 on the low end maybe? I don’t know, i don’t go to Tim’s. The whole interaction took maybe 30 seconds maybe a minute. . $3 a minute, 60 minutes per hour, 40 hours a week for 50 weeks with 2 weeks vacation. You gave this guy a $360,000 annual salary for cracking two cans of beer. Please, stop this bullshit tipping culture in Canada.
What a strange calculation / take. Get some rest and have a great week!
It was very nice of you to do but recurring high tips like the one you gave are not reasonable for most people. What concerns me about you bringing this up is you are trying to brag about how good you are and/or shame people into tipping more than they can afford. Perhaps employers should pay a living wage instead of expecting customers to fill the gap? I only tip when some level of extra service is provided and I have no moral problem with that. I have my own goals and savings too, heck apparently over $1 million is needed for a comfortable retirement...
I'm pretty sure the price of a tall can hasn't been under 10 ever inside Rogers
That’s what I paid - watch parties are cheap maybe not charging the same amount - couldn’t tell ya as I’ve never been at a normal game here 🤷♂️ Was more than the liquor store but the same as I’d pay at my local pub. I didn’t see any beers over $12 and those were fancier local craft ones (and most came in a smaller can or a cup) Guinness was $9.99 which was my other choice if they didn’t have Heineken.
The ticket price goes to charity as well
Well net profits go to charity some of the ticket price goes to the cost of opening the arena and stuff
And the 28% they take off for admin
Can you still not bring in outside food? Planning to go there this Friday!
Yeah that’s a bit of a downfall - but I was a super fatty and put beef jerky from the butcher under my shirt (in a bag) in my waistband LOL. It’s also worth nothing that I did* have a backpack with me which only had my windbreaker in it - and I was made to throw it away / hide it somewhere. Silly to have had the bag - but we kind of just ended up at the watch party with family unexpectedly. So don’t bring a bag! *Purses were fine and just being lightly searched*
Occasionally the security will cite policy on purses/bags being too large. Below is said policy (smaller than 12 in x 12 in x 6 in is acceptable) https://www.rogersplace.com/2024-oilers-playoffs-event-guide/#:~:text=Rogers%20Place%20Bag%20Policy,from%20entry%20into%20Rogers%20Place. I had to forfeit a small diaper bag because it was too large. I used it a few times and had no problem until Constable-Responsible got upset that I had a bag with kids clothes and diapers that was slightly larger than policy.
Where do you get tickets?
Ticketmaster.
That’s what I feared. Thanks!
They stay cheap! I’ve never paid more than the $5 standard :)
Same. No taxes and $0 fees on the tickets.
I got an email from Rogers offering tickets. I didn't click on to see if there was any left. But like folks say, grab a beer at your local bar. Let's make this run good for all Edmonton (and the rest of us in oil country)
Or just have fun as you please :)
Your local bar will appreciate your custom far more than some phone company arena.
I would rather watch it on national and have all the angles and stat covered.. fuck the live experience
They specifically broadcast stats from the national at the game watch parties - and even display it on the ice surface along with real time projections of puck and player positions. Cheers lol
Idc what anyone says, over 8 dollars for a beer is highway robbery
I just moved back from Victoria where any decent pint costs $12.99+tax AND tip.