Mike’s Place, Carleton University’s graduate student pub since 1972, will not operate this academic year.
The university’s Graduate Students’ Association announced the closure on Instagram, citing an ongoing financial deficit.
“This decision was not made lightly and has factored in growing costs towards operations and the realities of running a student pub that is still financially accessible towards student demographics,” the GSA wrote in its statement. “Despite multiple efforts at revenue generation by the Mike’s Place it is clear that these losses risk the viability of the GSA as an organization.”
Graduate students voted in March 2025 to create a dedicated $7 student levy for Mike’s Place, with 59 per cent of the 24.4 per cent of grad students who voted supporting the measure.
The levy, which took effect last fall, allowed the pub return to a full five-day-a-week operation. Last year, the pub was open from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Wednesday, and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
The pub offered students a place to play darts and participate in weekly trivia, surrounded by the echoes of pop music and live sporting events on its TVs. The pub was known for its “Open Mike” nights, a live music series that gave student musicians exposure.
Mike’s Place was named after former Canadian prime minister and Carleton alumnus Lester B. Pearson, who earned the nickname “Mike” during the Second World War. A comic of Pearson was hanging on the pub walls.
The GSA said that it remains committed to financial transparency and said it recognizes the need for “third spaces” on campus, but that continuing to absorb the Mike’s Place’s financial losses was no longer sustainable for the organization.
While the pub’s closed its doors, the GSA said that they’re turning their attention to their other student services and job opportunities in its place.
“This closure will offer an opportunity to reflect and work towards other student initiatives and supportive services for Carleton graduate students, including potential for more student jobs through other GSA services.”
Earlier this year, the Charlatan explored Mike’s Place’s decades-long history, its decline and efforts to revive the longtime campus pub. Click here to read the full feature.
Featured graphic by Alisha Velji/ the Charlatan
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