Union Street Bar & Billiards in Corner Brook, Nfld

The Park in Downtown Corner Brook, Newfoundland (Canada).

It was one of those dark, cold fall nights in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, and there wasn’t much going on. Supper had long been eaten and an episode of CSI had already been watched. How else do the people here spend their time? Union Street Bar & Billiards (709-634-6410).

Pool is a great way to pass the time, as well as for a visitor to people watch. As we got our pool cues ready and set up the balls to break, I watched everyone else transfixed to the big screen TVs. WWF wrestling was on and it looked like a big night: The Punisher was back to reclaim his title, or something.

As we played game after game of pool– me just bitter because both the Canucks and Penguins were playing but I could find no updates– I came to realize that I was watching grown men watching a soap opera. It made my giggle.

I remember Hulk Hogan, Jake the Snake, Brett the “Hitman” Heart and Andre the Giant from when I was growing up, but not these new guys. My oh my was the show like a soap opera…

A few more people came in to play pool as the evening rolled on. I met some more Newfies and a few Nova Scotians, mostly going to school here at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, all looking for a way to pass the time.

The Pepsi Centre with its Walking Track in Corner Brook, Newfoundland (Canada).

In the end, we made it an early night and headed back home before the end of WWF.

What I Liked:

• Although I’m a complete wimp to the cold, I realize now why drinking is such an important part of the culture in cold climates. It’s to keep warm! That might not be the most accurate reason, but it works for me
• I was happy to brush up on my rusty pool skills and win a few games.
• Another way to pass the time in Corner Brook, especially when it gets cold, is to head to the Pepsi Centre. This ice rink has a walking track around the top seating of the arena, with two lanes for power walkers and joggers. It was made to honour J. Wayne Trask, a local who “was instrumental in creating, including the construction and funding of this centre that is here for all to enjoy.”

Tags: Andre the Giant, Brett the Hitman Heart, canada, corner brook, Hulk Hogan, ice rink, Jake the Snake, Newfoundland, nfld, pepsi centre, Union Street Bar & Billiards, wwf