SASKATOON – Twenty-five years ago, three “amigos” who shared a love of music and food had an idea – to open a club offering the best of both to residents in Saskatoon.
Jim Clarke, Steve Benesh and Egan Buaer collectively rolled up their sleeves and began creating Amigos Cantina at the corner of 10th and Dufferin.
It opened on Nov. 22, 1988.
The restaurant/bar business is tough slogging and no one knows that more than these guys.
Twenty-five years later, through a bit of a ownership shift – Alex Clendening, considered an original “amigo” as the bartender from day one bought Bauer out – and, in spite of itself, the establishment is more successful today than ever before.
Known for its mouthwatering Mexican menu – thanks to creator Scott Harriot – and as one of the best live venues in the country for indie and mainstream musicians, Amigos packs them in.
The restaurant-by-day is a smash with young families – almost guaranteed kids will be doing the hop-scotch on the tile floor as the serving staff weaves their way around – and the club-by-night has gone from sparsely attended concerts to standing room only shows.
To this day, some of the original clientele occupy stools around the bar.
As one of those “stool occupiers,” I can attest to some of the more memorable moments this now well-known establishment has provided.
You could have heard a pin drop as people sat, cross-legged, on the floor to watch a young Sarah McLachlan perform vox.
The Shuffle Demons version of the “Hockey Song” was always a crowd pleaser and after playing at a competing venue, Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip stopped by to take in the atmosphere.
Sloan, The Skydiggers, The Saides – and those are only from the “S” column – if a group was on the road and happened to be passing through Saskatoon, Amigos was, and remains to be, the place to play.
A commission art work hangs at the back of the room, a depiction of the door to the original kitchen. Adjacent to that, another piece symbolizes a legacy of good times at the Cantina.
It’s a milestone among like-mind business.
Having overcome the obstacles of the early years, a week-long celebration is both underway and well deserved.
Here’s to another 25, Amigos. Arriba!!
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