Constantly mentioned as a must-visit by many locals bringing visitors to Ottawa, Zaphod Beeblebrox is celebrating its 20th anniversary this week.
The York Street venue is both a nightclub and a live music showpiece, named after a character in A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
"I think in those days it was closed one night a week and that was the only night a week that we weren't here," said Nicola Morry. "It was like all roads led to Zaphod's."
"They've always had an eclectic roster of bands and it's been a great place to hang out too," said Peter Hicks.
With a slogan of "Heard Before the Herd" it's no wonder owner Eugene Haslam said he takes pride in bringing in soon-to-be-big acts to play, sometimes for free on Monday nights.
"Ben Harper, Jewel, Alanis Morissette, Nickelback, Yo La Tengo, so a lot of bands that play in here become hugely world famous after," he said. "I don't think at the time that I think so much ‘Oh my God', it's usually after."
Perhaps the biggest act to play was certainly well-known at the time, as The Rolling Stones shot a music video there in 2005.
Those who have been a part of Zaphod's since the beginning said Eugene is sticking to the idea he had in the club's early days.
"I used to play when it first opened with Eugene and I remember painting the stools in the first one up at Rideau Street," said Dave Balfour of Dog Day Afternoon, playing the club Sunday afternoon. "He had a vision back then and that vision has been true to this day."
"This little tiny humble place is known worldwide and so people come here to see the Parliament buildings, the national gallery, the (Byward) Market and Zaphod's," Haslam said.
Anniversary celebrations continue all week.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Katie Griffin
