Just reading an article on the topic and curious - how many member of BMR still belong to a fraternal organization/men’s club ?
By men’s club - I mean social organization with a bar/lounge - think one of the fraternal animal organizations (Moose/Elks/Eagles), veterans clubs (VFW/Legion/DAV) or other/religious (K of C/Masons) - not the kind you find in the rougher parts of town and near the airports.
Basically article says these groups have fallen off by 75% last 50 years and I believe it. Membership aging out and no new blood to keep it alive.
Came from a town growing up that was “dry” - only way to have a bar was be a social club - so we had many - like 6 in a town of 2500 people - but zero bars. Over time that rule changes and think they are down to 3.
Gambling fueled these places too - and as that rule changed it killed their income stream. That’s why I was a member of so many - gambling opened doors and had to stay a member to maintain access to clients. I’m down to 1 these days - and that’s more of a spite thing than out of loyalty. Haven’t been in the local lodge in the 15 years I’ve belonged - hell didn’t live in the area 10 of them. But local place pissed me off with some of their petty politics and decision to reject a female family member from membership only to allow the biggest bitch in the county to join a month later - so I transferred my membership to where I lived at the time and live now just so local crooks didn’t get my dues money.
Seems like they are just failing like the retail brands we all remember. No one hangs out in clubs anymore for some reason - now it’s overpriced chain sports bars. Miss the days of sitting around day drinking with a bunch of old geezers and playing cards. Wasn’t perfect - but was a hell of a lot cheaper and better company too than the traditional bar scene. Forums remind me alot of those clubs in a way - good and bad.
By men’s club - I mean social organization with a bar/lounge - think one of the fraternal animal organizations (Moose/Elks/Eagles), veterans clubs (VFW/Legion/DAV) or other/religious (K of C/Masons) - not the kind you find in the rougher parts of town and near the airports.
Basically article says these groups have fallen off by 75% last 50 years and I believe it. Membership aging out and no new blood to keep it alive.
Came from a town growing up that was “dry” - only way to have a bar was be a social club - so we had many - like 6 in a town of 2500 people - but zero bars. Over time that rule changes and think they are down to 3.
Gambling fueled these places too - and as that rule changed it killed their income stream. That’s why I was a member of so many - gambling opened doors and had to stay a member to maintain access to clients. I’m down to 1 these days - and that’s more of a spite thing than out of loyalty. Haven’t been in the local lodge in the 15 years I’ve belonged - hell didn’t live in the area 10 of them. But local place pissed me off with some of their petty politics and decision to reject a female family member from membership only to allow the biggest bitch in the county to join a month later - so I transferred my membership to where I lived at the time and live now just so local crooks didn’t get my dues money.
Seems like they are just failing like the retail brands we all remember. No one hangs out in clubs anymore for some reason - now it’s overpriced chain sports bars. Miss the days of sitting around day drinking with a bunch of old geezers and playing cards. Wasn’t perfect - but was a hell of a lot cheaper and better company too than the traditional bar scene. Forums remind me alot of those clubs in a way - good and bad.
