Hockey season is back, and many Edmontonians are anticipating the return of the Edmonton Oilers and the NHL season. Whether they are attending the games at Rogers Place or not. There are many places around the arena where Oilers fans can still get into the hockey spirit, especially in downtown Edmonton’s Ice District Plaza on 103rd Street and 102nd Avenue.
“We’re one of the biggest spots for Oilers games,” Tiaan Anderson, the general manager of The Canadian Icehouse, says. “Obviously, with being so close to [Rogers Place]. We get a really big rush.”
The Canadian Icehouse, a restaurant and sports bar located within Ice District, is a popular spot for Oilers fans who want to be close to the downtown hockey atmosphere. By fitting 800 people within the building and 1000 with the rooftop patio, the sports bar is prepared for the game day rush.
The Canadian Icehouse’s location is a significant reason for the sports bar’s large seating capacity. From being beside Rogers Place, Oilers fans inside and outside the arena can surround themselves with other fans and the downtown hype. It’s expected that game days will be the bar’s busiest days.
“A lot of times during games, we’ll have a big lineup [that goes] out the door,” Anderson says. “Everyone is trying to get into [The Canadian Icehouse].”
The bar focuses on giving hockey fans the complete atmosphere and environment by showing the Oilers games on many screens with sound and lights, including a horn for when the team scores a goal.
Besides the environment, The Canadian Icehouse tries to complete the hockey experience by having special game-day deals. Specific drinks like Molson Canadian and Coors Light draft beers are a dollar less for a tankard size; shots of Pink Whitney are also on sale for $5.99. There is also a specialized menu dedicated to Oilers game days, with appetizers and main course dishes that can be shared with others.
Because of the crowds of people that come into The Canadian Icehouse, a wait can be expected for fans who are in a rush to attend the games at Rogers Place. Many Google Reviews have stated that while the atmosphere is successfully fit for an Oilers fan, the wait times for food can be a bit long—a fair warning for the fans who want to grab a bite at this sports bar before puck-drop.
“We’re definitely catered to the Oilers, specifically in terms of a sports bar,” Anderson says. The general manager also mentions The Banquet bar on the second floor above The Canadian Icehouse, saying that it is also a spot fans can go to when their location is at total capacity.
With a seating capacity of up to 300 people, The Banquet is another downtown spot Oilers fans can visit for game day watch parties. The downtown bar has specific options for Oilers game days, which fans can consider as a way to get quick service. And the drinks menu has many choices to choose from.
Like The Canadian Icehouse, this bar can get busy during game days, leading to longer waiting times. But it’s a recommended spot with The Banquet’s atmosphere and arcade games like bowling, ping pong, and shuffleboard, whether it’s for meeting up with friends or for an Oilers game day watch party.