Announcing the Vancouver Southsiders Home Match Pub Partner, Doolin’s Irish Pub!
The Vancouver Southsiders Board of Directors are extremely excited to announce that Doolin’s has been selected as the official home of the Southsiders through December 2014.
Doolin’s has been an great home to the Southsiders over the last two season. During this time they have provided a place for us to watch every single Whitecaps away match. It didn’t matter if the Canucks were playing in the playoffs at the same time, or if a UFC event was on in every other pub in town, Doolin’s showed Whitecaps matches. They also partnered with us for viewing parties for everything from the Canadian National Teams, streaming U18 Whitecaps Matches, to the Euro 2012 Championships. Doolin’s has transformed into the home of Canadian Soccer in Vancouver.
Many members have asked the Board of Directors to look at other options for partnership. In December, the Southsiders Board of Directors sent out a Request for Proposals (RFP) to nine pubs and groups. The nine were chosen by collecting suggestions from the Southsiders membership, as well as reaching out to venues that have previously expressed interest. We received responses from five of the groups and proposals from three of those five. After carefully consideration the BOD determined that Doolin’s proposal was the most advantageous for our membership.
One of the real strengths of Doolin’s proposal wasn’t just a discount … and don’t worry there will be more this year … but that they had really looked at what wasn’t perfect over the last two years and how they could make that better. Two of the biggest complaints we have seen from our members were that: 1) Doolin’s gets incredibly crowded in the hour leading up to the march and it becomes difficult to get service; 2) Doolin’s is expensive and there aren’t any lower priced items. We are very happy to report that Doolin’s proposal contains some great ideas that are going to be implemented in order to address both these concerns. Another great thing about Doolin’s is that they aren’t simply a bar, but part of the Granville Entertainment Group. Their proposal looked at how the Southsiders could benefit from all their partners including the Cellar, the Roxy, the Comfort Inn, the Snow Bus, and Legacy Liquor Store. Our card carrying members will get benefits from all of these businesses.
We are also pleased that Doolin’s is really enthusiastic about the ideas our Director of Events, Wendy Turnbull. We don’t want to steal her thunder or spoil any details before things are fully worked out, but Wendy has some really cool events planned and Doolin’s is eager to help out. These events will be throughout the calendar. Some game day and some social, all of them awesome.
One thing you may have noticed is that we have committed to Doolin’s for two more years. We decided this was best for the group as two years allows Doolin’s to partner with us on a couple of longer term promotions and contests. It also allows us as a group to take on some larger one off projects knowing that they can be replicated next year with a lot less effort. Also it allows the 2014 Board of Directors to focus on events early in the season instead of spending their time and efforts on yet another RFP process.
So there we go, Doolin’s is our Home Pub Partner for 2013 and 2014! We are also happy that our family-friendly partnership with Roxy Burger is back! These two home game day venues ensure we have somewhere for Southsiders of any age to get prepped and ready to support our Whitecaps in full voice.
The next thing the Board of Directors will be addressing is Away Match pubs outside of Vancouver. We are hoping to have an official pub South of the Fraser River, on Vancouver Island, and in the TriCities area.
Location Information
Doolin’s Irish Pub, Official Home Match Pub of the Southsiders
Doolins Irish Pub
654 Nelson Street, Vancouver
Roxy Burger, Official Home Match All-Ages Venue of the Southsiders
Roxy Burger
910 Granville Street, Vancouver
