To many who call the Main their unofficial home away from home, the news was huge and hard to take. Swimming was, to many, much more than pool tables and barstools. It was a preferred hangout, an unassuming and unpretentious place that served up more than its fair share of fun and served as a launching pad for several local bands.

Last Friday, Richard Holder - now among the former owners - confirmed Swimming's sale, and Monday he told Hour that it was sold to the proprietors of M/Hotel Bar on Rachel, who reportedly plan on fashioning the space into a lounge-type venue. In explaining the sale, Holder, whose Business nightclub (which preceded Swimming) helped reinvent the Main, said that it was "a great run" but that they were "ready to do something else."

"This was the right time, and we're happy to be moving on at a high point instead of waiting until it's so bad that people are telling us to get the hell out," he said, cordially, before intimating that the next Holder brothers project (they also own restaurants Holder and Cube) might not be that far off.

"We're entrepreneurs, and have other projects in front of us."

 
 

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Le Swimming Drowns     Although not one of my top venues, I enjoyed Le Swimming because it was a small, intimate space where lots of great bands would perform when in town. I remember hometown boys The Lovely Feathers did a few shows at Le Swimming. I remember Canadian rockers Billy Talent making their Montreal debut at this very venue just a couple of years ago. I remember taking photos in front of the lit up sign in the front. Many great memories have been had at this cozy little place, but I guess all good things must come to an end. I'm just sick and tired of constantly hearing the same excuse that they'd rather leave while they were on top and popular instead of leaving when they things get stale. It seems that these days, that's everyone's reason for moving on isn't it? Nonetheless, at least the new owners are thinking of keeping it a venue/lounge area. But renovating it and "fashioning" it up is going to take away the originality of the place, and it's going to take away what made Le Swimming; Le Swimming. I can't possibly bear the thought of the venue we've all come to know and love, being turned into an unrecognizable hipster hangout. Sure, we've still got other small stages like Cafe Campus and Main Hall, but Le Swimming is a name everyone recognized. And if it wasn't recognizable, that was the joy of it. It was a little hidden gem that not too many people had uncovered yet. And sometimes, it's best for things to stay their own little secret because it makes it that much more special. With the new owners, it seems as though our good 'ol tiny Swimming space is going to get thrown into the mainstream and become just another fish in the sea with no identity; only conformity.
Vanessa Hasid	{24 votes}	October 31st, 2005
Going going gone...     Unfortunately, I never really had the chance to go to Le Swimming, but I have had my share of fave hangouts to just dissapear off the face of the earth all of a sudden. When I was younger, one of my favourite bars was "The Hilltop" in Vaudreuil. Back in the late 80's it was a very cool & happening place, where it wasn't a big surprise to see an hour long line-up outside, even when it was freezing cold. Being that we were "regulars" - and at least felt we were cool - we rarely suffered that line & just walked in, looking down on the crowd that we snubbed past ( while they called us all jerks and the whatnot ). Eventually - business died down - owners changed, people changed, everything changed. Seemed like a slow death. We stopped going. Last time I drove by it was an "anything goes" strip-club, which I wouldn't venture into if you paid me to. So I understand, people missing Le Swimming - because it probably was a part of their lives for a while. I know I miss "my" Hilltop.
Rob Postuma	{34 votes}	October 28th, 2005
Change of Scene     I never went to Le Swimming because it far away from where I live and I have never enjoyed playing the pool tables as I am a total novice and horrible at it. For those who went there on a regular basis it would be a chance for them to try out other establishments which may be even better. We all get too comfortable when everything stays the same. When one door closes another one always opens. I hope someone puts together a scrapbook with all the fond memories. It could also be published as a book loaded with pictures and stories.
Stephen Talko	{4 votes}	November 1st, 2005
News flash!     Nothing lasts. Everything either ends or changes. Such is life, such are relationships, such is business. Le Swimming bit the dust but as sad as that is what affects me more is the notion that the new owners are intent on fashioning the space into a lounge-type venue. Yeah, because we haven't got enough of those to throw around town. That's sarcasm, by the way. Let's face it, there are so few good dives that have any real character or style in this city that another lounge-type venue means what exactly? Remember the big coffee house boom from a few years back when everyone wanted to open up one because it was the cool corporate thing to do? Out of all of those that remain, which one even has a glimmer of the old joints? Very few and you all know it. We've lost more and more of our old dives, clubs and cinemas, not to mention bookstores (Double Hook, anyone?) and in their place we got what? Slicker, soulless places that make money. Great for the economy, lousy for us culturally. I liked Le Swimming but I guess that's not enough of a reason for them to stay, is it? If that were the case I'd still have the Cinema de Paris, Empire comics, the Loews Theatre, the Egyptien and Sam the Record Man, wouldn't I?
Pedro Eggers	{23 votes}	October 29th, 2005
Le Swimming     Well, the news that Le Swimming was closing hit me like a ton of bricks. Even stole away from the Lily Frost show at Petit Campus Sunday night to pay my respects and say goodbye. That it happened so suddenly and swiftly still leaves me reeling and sadly nostalgic - many a great band graced the stage there - everyone from The Sadies to Jerry Jerry (remember him?) to countless local hopefuls. In the middle of the uber-hip, elitist, ultra-trendy club strip of the Main, Le Swimming was THE place to hang out, have a beer, catch a band and shoot pool without any kind of pretense or ego. Now it has gone the way of Station 10, the Terminal Showbar, and the Rockaway - going to miss the joint something terrible but as bad as I feel for patrons such as myself, I feel even worse for the bands that used to work that stage and those up-and-comers that'll never even have the pleasure!
Mark St Pierre	{9 votes}	October 29th, 2005
Better to Jump the Shark or Not?     I loved that Le Swimming had a bit of everything: plenty of pool tables, great live shows, cozy cabaret-style tables for conversing with friends. I loved the nights during my studies at McGill when Le Swimming was "the place to be," the place we all went after primping in those scuzzy rez bathrooms and drinking cheap champagne in the hallway. I loved that later, no longer in rez, it was the standby when nowhere else on Saint-Laurent was fun. These laudatory reflections about Le Swimming (my comments, and those of other members) validate the owners' desire to close the place while it still thrived. Le Swimming left the pool (to quote Jaffer's title) before jumping the shark. In TV, a show jumps the shark when it reaches its peak, from which point, it declines (think Fonzie literally jumping the shark on "Happy Days"). Thus, a debate. In TV, and in life, is it better to jump the shark or not? Me, I like when TV shows jump the shark, because if they don't, I long for more, long for it! Can you believe I stopped watching "Dawson's Creek" by my own volition? It's true; me, the "Dawson's Creek" fanatic couldn't tolerate the episodes when they went to college. Ditto for "90210." But "North Shore," where did it go? In my opinion, "North Shore" never jumped the shark; hence, I crave "North Shore"! Next time I'm on Saint-Laurent, I'll crave Le Swimming too. I'll wish we could stop in for a quick drink or game of pool, and I'll think of what a fun place it was! Ahhh, now I understand the advantage of not jumping the shark: the good reputation remains.
J L	{16 votes}	October 28th, 2005
Too tired to continue     Running a business is hard. So many things can go wrong, so many things to maintain. I loved Le Swimming, it was a nice hang out. Not too expensive and not filled with rich kids who have nothing better to do but to throw money around. But all good things must come to an end and while I'm pretty sure the business is doing okay, I've seen less and less patrons going to that particular hangout. Perhaps the business wasn't as profitable to warrant the stress to run it, so it was sold. After all these years of running something, it's good to get a good lump sum in a sale from it so one can relax and retire and do other things in life. It's too bad the new owner has other plans for it, that might change the venue forever. Le Swimming was always a place a student can hang out, and I fear for what the new owners might turn it into. Another one of those expensive lounge/eatery places all along St. Laurent street? Do we really need another one? I've seen many a places like that go bust because so much are already in place. Now the only place left from the old area is Cafe Campus and I hope they don't close that one down too! Oh well, I guess that's the way of business. Nowadays everyone is frequenting the cool the lounge/club/hang out places. It could explain why the banks keep on loaning money to these people so they can actually build these places. They must be making money, even though it's not me giving them anything. If it were up to me, I'd prefer the owners change it to a Sharx type venue so we can have some competition or at least another nice pool hall. I doubt that will happen. The main is slowly changing to a rich trendy type street and business like Le Swimming no longer have a place on it. Which is too bad because I got some good memories from that place.
Alexander Yu	{9 votes}	October 28th, 2005
New Is Always Good     I, like many others I assume, have fond memories of Swimming. I spent last Halloween there and had an awesome time (fell off my chair good time actually). And I also mark it as a spot, where one of my closest friends and I got to first know each other. KL? I will never forget the "you suck" comment you directed at that U2 cover band! :) However. When a place has been too stable, for too long, in terms of fine times, it is always a good idea to shake it up a little. Sometimes, going to a bar or pub that has existed long enough that you remember going there as a teenager, seems just like revisiting good memories, rather than creating new ones. I wish the Holder boys the best of luck in their future endeavors, and I look forward to a new locale to sample. New is always good. "You suck" and Halloween chair mishap will always belong to Swimming. Bring me new adventures under new atmospheres. Give me new chairs and new commentary. :)
Josh Piche	{5 votes}	October 27th, 2005
Times Are a Changing     Such is trend of entrepreneurs when they sniff other more lucrative opportunties when they know that a certain cycle is coming to an end. I'm not here to trumpet a max exodus of bars slash poolroom halls to other more lucrative businesses but commerce works that way. Certain enterprises reach their peak and then die out as more innovative ones like the Station C in the village come around. There as is here, a bar by itself would be boring so if there is something else like a lounge or gallery that will create diversity and attract a wider clientele base.
Martin Dansky	{5 votes}	October 27th, 2005
No Longer Swimming, Now Drowning     As many Montrealers, I have been to shows, birthday parties, dates and everything in between at Le Swimming. By chance, I happened to go shoot some pool the Tuesday before they locked up and was informed of the news. As shocked as I was, I was more interested in remembering all of the fun times that were had since my Cegep days at Le Swimming. I can't remember my first experience at Le Swimming or who introduced it to me, but I will always remember my last.
Jason Edelstein	{3 votes}	October 27th, 2005
Sink or Swim     I am surprised to hear of the closing of Le Swimming. Over the years I have been there a few times and always thought of it to be a fun place. Sometimes people just need a change in their lives and I'm sure the Holder's will be successful at whatever they attempt to do. It's always nice to close a business while you're still " floating" and not because the company "sank".
Heath Abram	{4 votes}	October 27th, 2005
Blah!     i am going to miss this place. Le Swimming has always been a good place to hang out with friends. Whether we felt like dancing, going for drinks, or having a low-key night of pool, it's was top 3 on our list of places to go. Hopefully the new place that opens up will be just as fun.
Marianne Quinto		November 19th, 2005

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