ICE District’s new sports bar finally opened and it’s everything you expected & more

After multiple delays and what seems like a long, long wait, the iconic Calgary sports bar, Home and Away, has finally set up shop in Edmonton. The sports bar opened doors to the public yesterday. And we have to admit, this new resident of the Ice District is every bit worth the wait and the buzz.

TBH, we were sceptical at first given the high regard we had for the space’s decade-long previous owner Mercer Tavern. But Home and Away lives up to the lively vibe we’ve come to expect from the space and from a sports bar that sits directly across from Rogers Place. From boozy delights to foodie innovations to great music to fun arcade games, there’s plenty here to impress and entertain.

Let’s talk food and drinks first, ‘cause why not, eh? So, the menu has all the classic comfort food you’d want in your sports bar, only with creative twists that make them better. You have your chicken wings and chicken sliders (which are great btw) but you also have the many versions of Tacos. And you have Fried Chicken everything and O.G. pepperoni pizza.

Now, you’d think that with such a chicken-heavy menu and the usual sports bar stereotype, there’d be little to nothing for vegetarians here. But the bar will surprise you with the sheer number of choices vegetarians have on the menu.

The drinks won’t disappoint either. There are wines and cans and coolers but you want to focus solely on the 20 odd drafts here.

Then there is a mini arcade where you can enjoy a few fun rounds of popular faves including basketball, shuffleboard, skeeball, foosball, bubble hockey and buck hunter. And let’s be honest, no matter our age, dominating the dome-covered hockey field is always satisfying.

So, whether you want to catch the game sipping on a cold one with your friends or indulge in a fun competition with the gang after you’ve downed a few beers, they’ve got you covered either way.

Now imagine doing all this with crazy upbeat music!

Long story short, the place is lit AF. Definitely something you want to try out for your next outing with your squad.

Home & Away Edmonton

Where: 10363 104 St NW, Edmonton