Ralph's Sports Bar

In 1979, Ralph felt there was a void in the local neighborhood bar scene. Some evenings after a movie or play and in want of a place to relax and enjoy a drink, he knew only of taverns, hotel lobbies, and Licensed Restaurants with small holding bars. Well, time for action, time for a neighbourhood sports bar. There seemed to be some restrictions in opening a so-called “bar”. It was a time of rapid expansion of the Fat Albert’s concept, with 19 locations, so Ralph decided to design the next two sites, one at the corner of Bank and Evans and the other in the newly designated suburb of Orleans, would include a second dining area decorated like a bar. Initially, the inspectors were a little surprised, but being fully in compliance of all regulations permits were granted and the first two Ralph’s Sports Bars were opened with four months of each other. Hard to believe, but the Large TVs at Ralph¢‚¬„¢s Sports Bars were quite the new rage. One had a stand up TV Box sitting in a corner, and a big bulbed projector. Picking up the CBC broadcasts of Saturday night Hockey and a couple of Football Games a week, the TVs were only on occasionally. Oh my gosh, the reaction to this new concept! A casual dining area on one side and a relaxing sports bar on the other, serving the same great food, accompanied by a full service staff – Ralph¢‚¬„¢s was instantly successful. Ralph’s became the hangout for not only sports fans, but the neighborhood, a la Cheers. Hometown sports figures like the Ottawa 67’s (19+ of course) and Ottawa Roughriders Players and fans all hung out at their favourite Ralph’s, enjoying a cold one and playing Space Invaders and Pac Man. It was the place to be. Ask anyone who was of age in the eighties where they went for their brew and it was a Ralph’s. With nomenclatures like Ralph’s Centerfield, Warm-Up, First Place, Dug Out, Huddle and other sports nicknames, Ralph¢‚¬„¢s Sports Bar became the place to go and many, many regulars would frequent the various locations and enjoy the company of the staff. Ralph enjoyed his eponymous neighbourhood sports bars, frequenting them daily and getting to know the regulars while ensuring the “Ralph’s Sports Bar experience” was always in tact!