Wellington Tavern

View Comments

• Interesting as this divey west side bar may be to some, architecturally I consider it an eyesore comperable to the current "Cheatah's" a block away. Of much more interest historically and architecturally are some of the rapidly deteriorating buildings in the "Wellington Industrial Estates" next door. It appears at this point that the property is largely abandoned and derelick. Many good private parties were held there back in the day. It will be a shame when they condemn this property and tear down some of the few existing brick industrial buildings still left in Windsor. Please do a piece on this sight Andrew.

• I meant to say Leopard's- the mutant offspring of Cheatah's, but I could mention any number of divey Windsor bars (strip and otherwise). What about the other Wellington Road tavern i.e. The Southwood. Somewhat of a dive, yes, but a stately old tavern with real intrinsic value and a history which includes fire, murder and ghosts.

• Had some good times there. It was once known as,"Mr C's". The guy tried to turn it into a nightclub like the Elmwood or Top Hat. The owners at the time would wear white tux's. Well, that format didn't last long,it closed.

• IIRC Ice T actually played there in the 90's some time.

• I was a cocktail waitress at Tune-Ups Tavern from day 1 to day close. That was a 5 year run from 1982-87. I had the most fun and such great memories. Player's Band, Stumbling Blind and DBonk and DBoys. Lineups out the door almost everynight of the week. I still maintain a friendship with people I worked with. How ya doing Scotty H?

• used to open car doors as a kid there for tips in early 70's then became a favorite hangout in my teens-doug and al chambers opened as mr c's after closing of wellington-saw the platters and some other recording artists there at that time-was a rough and tuumble spot with nightly parking lot fights when i was a kid-saw clarence talbot pull a knife out one night when bouncer wouldnt let him cut in long line up in early 70's
  lot of shady characters there-remember the "well"?

• It seems to be Najme Flooring, now.

• GINA?! Hey, you were our waitress almost every Fri. and Sat. night when my friends and I went there during those first few years of Tune-Ups. We'd always sit at a table right next to a pillar by the dance floor. I probably drove you crazy, too, as one of the slowest beer drinkers on the planet. I'm sure you'll remember me as "Two drafts". ;-)

  Just a few weeks ago I discovered a bit of Tune-Ups history when I dropped off some stuff at Value Village. I was walking around the store and spotted some tall thin shot glasses with the Tune-Ups logo on them. Quite a surprise to see them there.

• I remember you too, Gina. I worked as a runner and bartender when it was Tune-ups in 1986 until it closed as Johnny Rockets. I remember the faces of every person who worked there including the Players Band. I also remember the wonderful people who are no longer with us like Bill Pinard and others. Art and Gail always seemed to have a smile on their faces.

  I remember every inch of the building too which is just a little creepy. The wrap around bar with the trap door. Joe fell down it a few times and I jumped down it about 20 times a night to get a pail of ice or cases of beer. The door had a piano hinge and wooden ramp below, so I timed it to slam behind me it I wasn't going to send anything back up. I sometimes went downstairs just to cool off in the beer cooler. And to blow dry my long hair! Don't tell Don or Charlie...

  I hope you see this Gina. You will always be a busty brunette in a tight white top in my memories.

  -AL

• I was there around 1972 and drove my motorcycle onto the dance floor with the organ player Kevin Adair from the band Messiah. Was called "BIG WHEELIE". I'm looking for pictures of that if anyone has any.