Union Local 613, a bar in Ottawa with a sense of humour, is generating a lot of publicity for its refusal to be included among a list of 100 bars vying for the title of 'best in Canada'. The contest is a co-initiative of Molson-Coors Rickard's and enRoute, Air Canada's in-flight magazine. A dozen Montreal bars are up for the honour.
Union co-owner Ivan Gedz (see photo) told the Ottawa Citizen earlier this week that he "took exception to the fact that [Rickard's and enRoute] felt that it was a privilege to be associated with their brands without asking us if we wanted our brand to be associated with that."
The bar's focus on craft beer was another factor.
"We don't have any interest in serving [Molson-Coors] products, so it seems a little odd that we would be associated with that sort of thing."
Union Local 613 was up for enRoute's 'best new restaurant' in Canada People's Choice award in 2013 with nary a gripe. Somehow, however, this time around was different.
"I'm not in competition, I don't want to be in a numbered list," said Gedz. "We have the luxury of being able to snub this sort of thing — absolutely."
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