Saying "Hi" and request for info

[hanson17]

Hi there Coventry supporters. I'm a Canadian hockey fan who a little while ago moved from just east of Toronto to Bromsgrove. I've always wanted to attend an English hockey game (I support the Toronto Maple Leafs back home) and will finally get the chance this Saturday, and seeing as Coventry appears to be the closest team to me, I chose the Blaze to be my home team (whoo-hoo)! If all goes well then hopefully I'll become a long time supporter.

I'll be "dragging" my wife to the game this weekend (haven't actually told her where we're going, but am hoping she'll enjoy it) and was just wondering if anyone can suggest a decent restaurant near the Skydome where we can go for dinner? Don't want anything too fancy/expensive, just looking for somewhere others might have gone (that is close to the game) that you can recommend, seeing as I've only been to Coventry once when my band played some local dive or other. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated (as it should sweeten the evening for my wife).

Looking forward to this weekend. GO BLAZE!

[JP]

Hi Hanson and welcome to the Dragons Den Forum and indeed the Blaze fanbase

I would recommend The Old Orleans Bar/Restraunt which is at the back of the Skydome Arena next door to the Odeon Cinema, it's literally a 30 second walk from the Arena and serves great food. Incidentally, it is the official after game bar for the players and fans although i'm not sure if that will be the case on Saturday as i think that is only for Sunday fixtures.

Hope that helps mate!

[hanson17]

Cheers for that Honky Tonky Man, will have to check that one out. I've been to an Old Orleans in Brum before (Star City) which was somewhat hit and miss (though admittedly more miss than hit), so hopefully this one is better.

What with the parking discount I assume I wouldn't have much time to eat before the puck drops, so might need to look into places futher out (with parking). Cheers for the suggestion though.

What's the food at the arena like? Did I read somewhere they serve hotdogs?

[sallymahers]

Nov 6, 2008 10:37:06 GMT 1 hanson17 said:

Cheers for that Honky Tonky Man, will have to check that one out. I've been to an Old Orleans in Brum before (Star City) which was somewhat hit and miss (though admittedly more miss than hit), so hopefully this one is better.

What with the parking discount I assume I wouldn't have much time to eat before the puck drops, so might need to look into places futher out (with parking). Cheers for the suggestion though.

What's the food at the arena like? Did I read somewhere they serve hotdogs?

Welcome to the Uk and the Blaze fanbase! My name is Sally and I work for the Blaze team. Without wanting to put down our facilities I wouldn't save yourself for the arena as there is really only hotdogs as your choice.

We have some lovely restaurants a short walk away on Spon Street although they are quite pricey so depends what you want. In my experience Old Orleans does great food but there is also a Chicago rock cafe next door which does food as well.

Over the road from the Skydome there is an all you can eat chinese buffet called the Dragon Phoenix.

Hope that helps and you enjoy your first game with us. Any questions about the team feel free to drop me an email [e-mail]

[PW]

Go to the Old Windmill on Spon Street (two minutes from the rink), which is fast becoming a hockey pub in its own right...I'm not a hundred percent sure but I think they do food discounts if you're wearing a hockey shirt. Plus it's "proper" British pub food...and proper British beer too. I'm in there most pre-matches, many of the same people also go in there post matches, and you do get a regular crowd of Blaze fans in there too, so over time you'll likely become well-known and make friends if you're a "regular".

It basically depends on what you want-the Old Orleans is the "official" pub (ie sponsors, players post-match, and newer Blaze fans), but a lot of long-time Blaze fans seem to prefer the Windmill now, since it's quieter and you get a good mix of home and away fans.

It helps that both the landlord and his other half (who frequents this forum so will no doubt correct me on anything if I'm wrong) are also die-hard Blaze fans, the dog (Buster) is possibly the friendliest one this side of Lassie, and there may well be a Blaze DVD on in the back room, particularly for Sunday games...Saturday is slightly busier with the pre-club crowd...

To get there, head past the entertainment complex at the back of the arena heading away from the rink (IKEA is on your right, the bars are on your left, and at the end of that path, you'll find the top of Spon Street. Turn right, walk about fifty yards and you can't miss it.

[Claret & Blue Army]

PW mentions the dog. It reminds me of the pub in London with the fireplace and that canine ;D

[hanson17]

Cheers for all the great suggestions! I'm a little out of my element, so any help I can get is most appreciated. I'll definitely get myself over to the Old Windmill sometime in the near future to check it out and hopefully meet some fellow hockey fans.

To be honest I'm just happy to find out there ARE people over here who actually LIKE hockey (and I'm not talking about that game played on a field with walking sticks).

[sallymahers]

Nov 6, 2008 18:17:57 GMT 1 PW said:

Go to the Old Windmill on Spon Street (two minutes from the rink), which is fast becoming a hockey pub in its own right...I'm not a hundred percent sure but I think they do food discounts if you're wearing a hockey shirt. Plus it's "proper" British pub food...and proper British beer too. I'm in there most pre-matches, many of the same people also go in there post matches, and you do get a regular crowd of Blaze fans in there too, so over time you'll likely become well-known and make friends if you're a "regular".

It basically depends on what you want-the Old Orleans is the "official" pub (ie sponsors, players post-match, and newer Blaze fans), but a lot of long-time Blaze fans seem to prefer the Windmill now, since it's quieter and you get a good mix of home and away fans.

It helps that both the landlord and his other half (who frequents this forum so will no doubt correct me on anything if I'm wrong) are also die-hard Blaze fans, the dog (Buster) is possibly the friendliest one this side of Lassie, and there may well be a Blaze DVD on in the back room, particularly for Sunday games...Saturday is slightly busier with the pre-club crowd...

To get there, head past the entertainment complex at the back of the arena heading away from the rink (IKEA is on your right, the bars are on your left, and at the end of that path, you'll find the top of Spon Street. Turn right, walk about fifty yards and you can't miss it.

I didn't know the Windmill did food! You learn something new every day! The Windmill is great to mix with a hockey crowd. As Paul says Old Orleans is our official post game venue if you fancy perhaps grabbing an autograph but many people also go in the windmill. Both places are full of friendly hockey folk so you wont feel out in the cold - excuse the pun!