When MacEwan University students are looking for a place to unwind, socialize, or grab a cold beer after a long day, they usually find themselves at the campus bar: Towers.

Opened alongside MacEwan University’s City Centre Campus in 1993, the Towers on Fourth Pub was founded with the intention of being a social hub for students. Still bearing its original name, the bar was named after the iconic City Centre Campus towers.

As MacEwan has grown, Towers has remained an integral part of campus culture. “I think our community is extra special,” says Lukas Gibson, Towers manager and eight-year veteran.

“We value, as much as anyone, the integration and the unity of peoples’ goals on campus at MacEwan and their academic goals,” says Gibson.

And while a post-secondary experience filled with good music and tasty food (seriously, have you tried the signature burger?) is great, there’s more to Towers than just that. The pub hosts a wide variety of events, including fundraisers, birthday parties, live music and seminars — and it’s not just MacEwan students and faculty who enjoy the festivities.

Towers has earned a name outside of MacEwan, and has opened its doors to Edmonton artists, as well as a few celebrities, who have either passed through or performed.

“The Trailer Park Boys . . . were playing pool with us here when they were visiting,” says Gibson. “Edmonton Juno award nominee, the band Souljah Fyah, they’ve played here.”

Despite its ever-growing popularity, Towers hasn’t changed too much over the years. While it has undergone some renovations and menu changes, the atmosphere that characterizes the pub remains the same.

The Towers team plans to hold onto that identity as the pub expands.

“We have a lot on our minds about continuing to live out this space while staying true to Towers’ identity of just being a friendly, welcoming, casual atmosphere, while we still execute quality with our menu and service,” says Gibson.

As for the menu, Gibson recommends the butter chicken flatbread and the grilled chicken club to newcomers and regulars alike.

So, if you’re craving good food, a good atmosphere and good company, Towers might be the right place for you.

Photo by Madison Kerr