Dennis, thank you for the article on the Rex Cafe — it brought back a lot of memories. On Friday and Saturday nights it was often hard to get a booth once the bar closed. There was certainly no such thing as a no-smoking section, and I can still picture the cloud of smoke hanging in the air.
If we did get a booth, we’d throw our coins into the jukebox. Each booth had one, so you can imagine the noise. I remember Bish and his buddies playing “bullshit poker” at coffee time, using dollar bills to decide who paid. I joined in the odd time, and I’m pretty sure the old buggers felt sorry for me and let me win. As a teenager I thought they were old — though they were likely 30 years younger than I am now.
Gin was a strong supporter of the Beavers, and the three stars of each game received a free meal at the restaurant. The Rex was a gathering place for all ages, and when the kids weren’t there, they were at Geordie’s Pool Hall next door. Sometimes we’d annoy Cunnie at the pool hall and he’d chase us around the tables with the ball rack.
Those were the days. Thanks again, Dennis.
— Barry McKay
