Nothern Adventure Series: Paddy’s Place
I recently traveled up to Yukon and Alaska for two weeks and decided to check out some cultural and musical events in the various towns that I visited. Here is the second part in a mini-series of my Northern Adventures.
When in Whitehorse, Yukon, I asked my friend Alex about what bars had good beer and music. He said right away, “Scharf, we’ll go to Paddy’s. It’s Whitehorse’s rock bar and there’s always something happening. On top of that it’s next to a dive bar that is opens at 9 a.m.”
Paddy’s Place was an open space concept bar. No divisions or sections, just four walls, a bar on the right and a stage at the far end. We sat down to have a drink and there were some great 90s rock gems playing through the speakers. Mid-beer, the owner got on the drums and a guitarist joined him. Instantly a guy sprang from his bar stool, ran across the room, and grabbed a bass to join them. It was Jam Night at Paddy’s and I was excited.
There was something a little strange about the evening though. On the wall across from the bar was a big flat screen TV with the news on mute. It was odd to listen to a rocking jam session while seeing images of useless and unexplained destruction from all around the world. On a lighter note, one of the scrolling headlines read “Police say a toddler crashed a jeep into an Oregon home then walked to his house to watch cartoons.” With my brew in hand, friends by my side and so much on my mind there could be few better places.
The walls were covered in paintings of Tupac, Bob Marley, Notorious B.I.G., Louis Armstrong, John Lennon, Jim Morrison, and more gazing upon the three-piece. The boys did a good bunch of covers, the ones that stood out were their renditions of “Foxy Lady” and “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
With the jammers taking a break and a big day ahead for us, we decided to call it a night. The designated driver took the wheel of the 1986 Landcruiser as I popped in the latest cassette from The Yips. Just one of many local tapes I brought up for Alex and his Landcruiser that only plays tapes. A great night out in the North.
