Hi readers!
Hopefully you’re all settled into your new term routine by now. Our yearly club fair appearance was a success, and we’ve welcomed some new members who have contributed comics and puzzles to this issue. We also have a very important discussion about campus walking etiquette, and we’ve brought back a historical IW column with our first Point vs. Counterpoint since 2021. Remember when you read it that it’s a debate that was just for fun! Finally, make sure to take a look at the winning photos from our OWeek contest. Congrats to the winners and thank you to all who submitted!
When I started writing for the Iron Warrior, my dad — who is not a UW alumnus or an engineer — suggested an article idea to me called, “Memories of the Bomber.” For those of you who don’t know, there used to be a WUSA-run pub in SLC called the Bombshelter (aka the Bomber) which ran for over 40 years before shutting down in early 2019. He suggested an article asking alumni about their favourite memories from the pub, but I never saw the relevance of it because it’s unlikely that any current undergrad student would know of the Bomber. However, that has changed… the Bomber is back!
WUSA email-blasted everyone back in August with the announcement, but it was also reported by Imprint in July. It’s open now while WUSA finishes the remaining student lounge renovations with daily bar service (which for some reason ends at 5pm…), food, the ability for clubs to book the space, and 1-2 monthly bar nights throwing back to the Bomber of old.
So, in honour of the Bomber being back, I thought it would be fitting to finally do something with that article idea. I was able to get some alumni to share their favourite memory from the Bomber during their time at UW, and I’ve included their responses here. I personally had a fun time looking through them. Thanks to all the alumni who shared a story with us!
~ Julia (Editor-In-Chief)
What’s your favourite memory from the Bomber during your time at UW?
“I had a LOT of great times at the Bomber – celebrating birthdays with a special mug, great concerts with local and national bands, spring terms on the patio, and of course, legendary Bomber Wednesdays. It’s hard to pick just one favourite memory. I will always remember the Bomber as a welcoming place where you would always be bumping into people you knew (even if it was just waiting in the massively long lines through the SLC). One question, now that the Bomber is re-opening – are all the lifetime bans now rescinded? Some people probably need to know!”
– Peter Johnson, REC/GEOG ‘02
“The Comfort of a Familiar Drink Order: When I think about my years at Waterloo, so many memories float to the surface—countless lectures, group projects, late-night study sessions—but the ones from the Bombshelter hold a special place in my heart. I couldn’t possibly pick a single favorite moment there; it’s more like a patchwork quilt of little experiences stitched together over time. But if I had to choose something to share, I’d go with one that’s more cute than epic.
For many terms—probably stretching across all of third and fourth year, and even into my extra 3N term when I was taking a mix of arts courses and a few higher-level engineering ones—I developed a quiet little ritual. On busy Wednesday nights – without fail – this one waiter would catch my eye and give a small wave. He always seemed to remember my strange, very specific drink order: gin and Diet Coke. A weird drink order – and a dollar tip on a $2.40 drink – meant I would have my drink waiting for me right as I passed the “bouncer” to be let in.
Sometimes, if the line was long, he’d pass it to me mid-wait, almost like a secret handshake in beverage form.
It made me feel welcome :)”
– Derrek Lennox, ME ‘95
“Favourite Memory of the Bomber: playing our last show during TalEng95 at the Bomber in the spring of 1995, just before graduating. We (Rollickin’ Good Times Punk Rock BANNED) played our last show, and wanting to go out with a bang even rented some proper amps etc. We were 2nd to last on the bill, and had a bit more material than our allotted slot :=) The fans loved it, but the organizers shut down the power on us at some point. The fans did not like it. Some “slight altercations with Campus Police” ensued, and the Bomber needed to replace a bit of furniture. We had to go get our instruments & gear from the Campus Sheriffs and were “strongly advised” to not play on campus again if we were planning on graduating. A fitting sign-off for “the BANNED”. Glad to hear of the reopening, tried to show the spot to my 18yr old son during homecoming weekend this year, but it was closed at the time. Cheers from Germany!”
– Leif Reinhold, ME ‘95
“I don’t recall any crazy stories, but I spent a fair bit of time there. I mostly remember pitchers, friends, good times, and wooden tabletops.”
– Stephan “Schwag” Schweighofer, ME ‘96
“Taking tequila shots on the patio for my 19th birthday during 1B summer term!”
– Linea Miller, ENVE ‘20
Leave a Reply