Jun 17 2005
The Flying Emu - Australian Style Restaurant and Pub
I just got back from a trip to Canada as I had to go up to Calgary for an interview for my Visa with the US Consulate and this time around seeing how it wasn’t just after Christmas The Flying Emu was open and what a relief that was!
For those that don’t know The Flying Emu is the best (if not only) place in North America that sells a variety of beers that us Aussies actually drink including the classic VB (Victoria Bitter), Cascade Premium Lager, Carlton Cold and Tooheys Extra Dry, along with selling Meat Pies plus chicko rolls! Now if only they had Tim Tams for dessert they would have the whole Aussie experience down pat!
The decor has a lot of Australian memorabilia as well (I will post some photo’s soon) with a personal favourite being the big boxing kangaroo Australian flag and all the staff there are super friendly so that is an added bonus! The music isn’t bad either on Thursday night they had an up and coming singer, Amy someone who was quite good, then on Friday night they had a jam session that attracted some good talent, including a fellow Aussie. 
So if you are ever in Calgary be sure to check them out and let them know that you heard about The Flying Emu from Jason the guy that was there in June drinking all the VB he could possibly drink. 
Useless trivia: The original Flying Emu’s (Pron. EEM-YOU, for you yanks, not EEM-OO) were actually a group of Royal Australian Navy and U.S. Army helicopter pilots who were joined together for action in the Vietnam war and were designated Experimental Military Unit(EMU).
I don’t know if this bar is named after those guys or in anyway associated with them.
Much more likely to be named after the bird on the Aussie coat of arms. Emus can’t fly - ever - so a “flying enu” would fit the laconic, “pull your leg” type of Aussie humour. Especially in North America where it’s often easy to convince the locals that kangaroos really do hop down the main streets of the cities! (no, they really DON’T - we’re just kidding you!). There’s even a cute Flash game about non-flying emus at http://www.leedungarees.com/emulander/.
Unfortunately it looks as though the flying emu has disappeared.
I have been looking for it online and tried to call the number listed, and all to no avail…:-(
Sadly for me as I am in Calgary from Brisbane for a month, and after only 2 days am crippled with homesickness.
I want a XXXX gold, or a crownie.
where else can I get a decent beer here??????
Also where else can I watch the Rugby league next wednesday, it is state of origin 2 and I really need to see the Queenslanders give the Cockroaches a belting.