The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (RCHA) Club has existed in downtown Kingston (193 Ontario Street to be precise) since 1947. Nestled in an almost secret-club-like spot above The Raging Bull Chop House, it has served as a meeting spot for Kingston military members and retirees, hosted private parties, run golf tournaments and turkey shoots and has provided a great performance space for many local musicians over the years.
During its lifespan, the RCHA Club has given back to the community with care packages sent to local soldiers overseas, a Benevolent Fund for members who are ill or can’t make ends meet as well as making donations to orphanages and welfare homes. In 1969 the club organized the now-annual historic hockey series between Queen’s and RMC to commemorate the original game back in 1886.
As a local musician myself, I have played at the RCHA more times than I can count. In addition to hiring bands to provide entertainment on the weekends, the club hosts the monthly Blues Society Jam, the biweekly Folk Club meet ups and a weekly jazz show on Friday afternoons. I always love heading over to the RCHA because the atmosphere there is great. The people are welcoming and always happy to see you. The decor is pretty much what you would expect – lots of plaques and photos, medals and swords on the walls, miniature cannons in the windowsill – typical legion-type stuff. But it is also very well-maintained, clean and freshly painted with two televisions for sports lovers. There is a shuffleboard table on the second floor and bars on both floors. The bar is another great part of this place. The prices are amazing. I’m a big fan of Strongbow and I can get one there for less than $5. I haven’t found a price like that anywhere else (it’s usually priced around $6.50 elsewhere). Cover to get into the club if you aren’t a member is usually about $3 making a night out extremely affordable.
As of late the club has run into some trouble. A lack of membership renewals has lead to the possible closure of the RCHA. In fact, it did close for about 2 weeks while current members worked hard to find a way to make it work. Musicians and music lovers of all kinds have come out to help keep the club alive. A facebook group was started to alert people to the current financial needs of the club.
The RCHA is now accepting (well, is always accepting, but now more than ever) new members. A yearly membership is $150 and can be paid in several ways. This may seem pricey to some but if you consider that you would pay $3 every time you go, and know that your money is going to help keep this great place open, then it really does seem worth it. It is rare to find live entertainment with a cover price like that. Another option is a corporate membership. All you need is yourself and 9 friends to join together and the price becomes $25 per person.
If you haven’t been to the RCHA, I highly recommend you check it out. It’s a neat little place, full of history and great people. When you enter the blue door off Ontario St., simply go up the elevator to the 3rd floor. Everyone is welcome – just be sure to remove your hat.
Special thanks and credit to David Tyner for today’s photo of the lively crowd at the monthly Blues Jam.
