I grew up in Quebec in the 60's and 70's. At that time there were pubs called taverns that were exclusively for men. They were decidedly down market and no one sane would have argued that an elite patriarchy was hiding in there plotting the increased oppression of women. It was mostly a bunch of blue collar guys drinking cheap draught beer arguing about hockey, baseball and how hot it was in the boiler room we were working in all day. At some point, feminists (no idea which "wave") protested and the government shut them down and re-licensed them as "Brasseries" (breweries in English) which allowed women, just like every other bar or restaurant in the province. The mere existence of places where tired men could just go and hang with the boys was too much to bear. I still miss them.
I grew up in Quebec in the 60's and 70's. At that time there were pubs called taverns that were exclusively for men. They were decidedly down market and no one sane would have argued that an elite patriarchy was hiding in there plotting the increased oppression of women. It was mostly a bunch of blue collar guys drinking cheap draught beer arguing about hockey, baseball and how hot it was in the boiler room we were working in all day. At some point, feminists (no idea which "wave") protested and the government shut them down and re-licensed them as "Brasseries" (breweries in English) which allowed women, just like every other bar or restaurant in the province. The mere existence of places where tired men could just go and hang with the boys was too much to bear. I still miss them.