The on-campus bar gets caught in the crossfire of on-campus politics
For years the Lazy Owl (the Owl) has been the University of Regina’s go to student social spot – providing a bar atmosphere right on campus. In August, they were ordered to close their doors.
Following the lawsuit battle between the University of Regina Students’ Union (URSU) and the University of Regina (U of R), the university said that on-campus spaces rented by the union have to close until further notice and will no longer be funded.
The Owl has been home to many events like Trivia night, watch parties, Bingo and karaoke nights. For many years, the Owl was a beloved institution. But after years of falling behind, will it be missed? Or simply forgotten?
Established in 1967, the Owl was originally the dining institution of the Regina Students’ Society before the U of R separated from the University of Saskatchewan. It was originally supposed to be a temporary space, but many students enjoyed the atmosphere and wanted it to become a permanent fixture of the Riddell centre.
The former students’ union worked tirelessly to maintain the space and its ability to act both as a bar and a restaurant.
Now in 2025, it seems the novelty has worn off.
Many students past and present do not think The Owl lives up to its past glory. We asked students what they thought of the Owl and the general consensus was they were not going to miss it.
“I only went for organized events, never just to go. Drinks and food were over priced. The Owl also acted as a space for international students more than domestic, I found,” one student said.
Another student stated that “there really wasn’t anything that made me pick the Owl over literally anywhere else.”
A former U of R student identified issues with the Owl, dating all the way back to pre-pandemic. “I went once four years ago and it smelled horrible, the floor was sticky and gross and I never went back,” they said.
There really wasn’t anything that made me pick the Owl over literally anywhere else. – UofR Student
Another student said, “After COVID, it was not the same – there were no deals or incentives offered to get students in the door and their hours of operation changed, it was not open as late. In my first year, it used to be an extremely popular bar on campus and in my last year, it was a complete ghost town!”
As much as the current Owl might not be missed by some students, others are hoping that new life will enter the Riddell Centre: “I genuinely hope that someone opens a good university bar in the space. One that’s open late and is relatively affordable.”
Having spent time in the Owl myself, I also hope that a new spot can be brought in. When I lived in Saskatoon, I spent time at the University of Saskatchewan campus bar, Louis’. The U of R needs a Louis’-type space. Cheap but good food, cheap drinks, good entertainment, clean spaces, and most importantly, events for all students to attend and enjoy.
Perhaps finding an outside source to run the establishment is the way the university needs to approach the issue. Maybe a locally favored chain could set up shop.
Before anything can happen, the university needs to ask its student body what was wrong and what they want to see. After all, the space was created for and by students. It should continue to reflect the students they serve.
