Friday was the penultimate night at the historic Buck & Ear, which will pour its last pints this weekend after 77 years in operation.
Being the first Friday night of the month – and its last first Friday night - it was Buck Club night and people were lining up to get into the historic Steveston pub for music, drinks and dancing.
Young people outside the pub expressed their sorrow at the imminent closure, and many mentioned that their parents had spent time at the "Buck" before them.
For Sophia Newman, memories from the Buck & Ear included friend and family gatherings and celebrations.
She was among dozens in the lineup trying to get in.
“This is kind of the only thing that’s usually open in Steveston and it’s closing down, so it’s a way to support the community,” she said.
“I don’t know where anyone’s going to go because there isn’t a lot out here,” she added.
The owner, Joseph Richard Group, is planning to turn the pub area of the Buck & Ear into five boutique hotel suites.
The Steveston Café and Hotel will continue operating, and the owner is considering adding a dinner menu.
Andrea Yau, who’s been coming to the Buck & Ear for about 30 years, came with her husband on Friday night to take in the vibes on the second last night.
Memories for Yau included hanging out at the Buck with other "hockey moms" who'd come every few months for the music and dancing.
“I’m sad that it’s closing... there’s nothing in Steveston that I can see that can replace this,” she said.
“For over 40 years I’ve lived here (in Richmond) and I’m sad to see this place go,” Yau added
Saturday night (May 3) is the "Club Buck Finale" and the pub is advertising it as the "ultimate late-night party."
“After countless wild nights, unforgettable memories, and epic dance floors, Club Buck is throwing its final party ever and you won’t want to miss it,” reads a post on their website.
By the end of Friday evening, in typical Buck & Ear fashion, there were a half a dozen RCMP cars and a fire truck along Third Avenue in front of the pub with their flashing lights adding to the ambience on the street.
And on the other side of the street, there was a trail of blood on the sidewalk that followed Third Avenue and continued left onto Moncton Street.
A fire fighter told the News someone had cut their hand, and, after fire fighters took care of it, the person was sent home.
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