Kilts night

[Raphael]

I have been organising and participating kilts night for the last few years. I have had some great nights with lots of new people. I also have nights that were hijacked by some and turned into freak shows. Because of some bad memories and comments, from both previous and current kilt night attendants, I am not sure why I even bother to send out email reminder for one particular night that I organise.

The 'pub' has been very supportive and buy us drink, but I feel like something is missing. The music is great, but I want more. I want to do more than just talk and hang out.

While having a cigar last night with some friends, I met a guy who partly owns a pub. He is very interested in hosting it. This pub doesn't have a band, and it is not an irish pub, but i don't think it should stop us from going. However this place does not feel like a meat market either. This place is a sport bar and have comfy leather couches, rustic looking tables and chairs and pool tables. The guy that I was talking also wanted to purchase a kilt as well.

I have to wonder, from a xmarker's point of view, why do you go to your local kilts night? What kind of establishment is best for hosting kilts night??

[RockyR]

MOST people that attend our kilt nights (haven't done one in a while) come for the Music and the beer and the fact that there's 'safety in numbers' of kilties. When we used to have 1 or 2 a month, NEWBIES would love to come. Being in a GROUP of guys kilted helps with the negative comments and whatnot. When you go out kilted in public for your first time ALONE, it can be an unnerving experience.

People that love kilts USUALLY ALSO love Celtic music (most of the kilt wearers I know), so it's a natural marraige of sorts... beer, kilts and Celtic music. The tri-fecta!

Would I still go to a kilt night if there wasn't Celtic music and beer? Yes, but I would have to be interested in the bar or the event. If you had a kilt night at an Opera House, I think I'd skip it. If it was a kilt night at a bar for a hockey game, I'd be there.

[Noel Christian Riddell]

I've always been alone in my kilt... but would love to spend time with like-minded folk of good taste.

[Woodsheal]

I've organised and continue to coordinate our local kilt night, so I share some of your frustrations. My main one is attendence. We have two area pipe bands, a Scottish society, an active Irish community and AOH, and the usual high concentration of "celtic" ethnic names typical of a northeastern town. I know there are alot more kilt owners in the region than seem interested in coming to a kilt night, but I guess they'd rather let their kilts collect dust and moth-holes hanging in a closet!

We do have a core group of loyal attendees, though, and the occasional new arrival, so it remains a fun venture.

But, more to your point re: location. A supportive venue is critical. The pub (or whatever) has to like what you're doing, and support it. Lately, I've been having some doubts about the spot we've been gathering at these last few years, since our kilt night's inception. For awhile: very supportive! They made a point of scheduling appropriate celtic-flavored music on our chosen 2nd Saturday date. They put up our posters and photos. They even occasionally remembered to include kilt night in their advertising.

Then, the ownership changed hands. I had really high hopes, as one of the new co-owners is a piper in one of the local pipe bands, for crisakes! He talked a good talk about supporting and pushing kilt night, etc., but I've been disappointed, especially as regards the music scheduling for our usual Saturdays. I've resorted to a departure from the strict "2nd Sat. of each month" format to a more random selection of a date based upon the music scheduled for any given month.

But, like you I've considered moving to a new site where musical acts are not a consideration, and conversation and comaraderie would be more the flavor of the kilted get-together.

We'll see, but your considered move to a more friendly location seems like a winner....

[timseh]

I wish I could find enough local kilties to have a local regular kilt night. Doesn't stop me from going to the pub kilted anyway, even if I'm the only one. My wife appreciates it, as do most of the ladies present.

[dfmacliam]

I would say, mix it up... different venues, different events.. make it interesting for all participants... and if you get the "ho hum" attitude from the locations owners.. move on.. there is always a place that will appreciate the added business..

[Mr. MacDougall]

I rarely attend kilt nights precisely because they are so often held in pubs. I know I'm sort of an oddball in this, but the truth is, the bar atmosphere is just not a comfortable one for me, and I end up wanting to flee soon after arriving.

[NewGuise]

If you had a kilt night at an Opera House, I think I'd skip it.

Personally I love the idea of a bunch of kilties attending a performance of Lucia di Lammermoor en masse.

But Raphael: given that I generally go to the pub to "just talk and hang out," I'm curious as to what else you and others might want to do on a kilt night?

[GMan]

I would say go where ever you feel comfortable.

[Jon1975]

Rocky, next time you guys plan something in the area let me know. Otherwise, see you tomorrow at the Fox!