‘King of the good times’: John (Bull) Cook remembered as a pioneer of St. John’s nightlife

Despite the sombre nature of funerals, Kathie Hicks says the buzz was loud at Carnell’s Funeral Home on Aug. 5 — exactly how John Cook would have wanted it. 

“People were talking because there is so much to say and I thought, that’s the noise he sets out to generate,” Hicks told CBC Radio’s St. John’s Morning Show. 

Hicks said that Cook, or Bull, which he was more commonly known as, was not only iconic for his name but for being “the true architect and pioneer” of downtown bar culture in St. John’s. Bull was the founder of Big Ben’s Pub alongside his family, as well as the Sundance Saloon. 

Hicks saw Bull as the king of hospitality, someone who loved people and nightlife. So, she thought it was fitting that his final send off was in a crowded room, filled with memories and love. 

“I loved it that he heard all the stories last night about the legacy he left behind,” added Hicks. 

Bull died on July 31 at 81 years old.

‘He knew pubs’

Bull’s Sundance Saloon is what Hicks believes set the pace for the George Street that everyone knows now. In fact, she says George Street Fest started in the Sundance Parking lot. 

She says at the height of the disco era, Bull also operated Uncle Albert’s, which was located where the restaurant Grotto is now on Water Street, and Peppers. 

Bull even had a hand in getting things up and running with Georgetown Pub, Hicks added.  

“Anything to do with gathering in bars, he knew pubs,” said Hicks. “His fingers touched everywhere when it came to nightlife.”

She thinks that if it wasn’t for Bull, entertainment downtown wouldn’t be the same.

Hicks worked closely with Bull as the CEO of Spirit of Newfoundland Productions, and still remembers meeting him at happy hour down at the Sundance 30 years ago. She thought at the time it was so cool to get the chance to work with him. 

She said even though he had a knack for bars and pubs, he loved show business and taught her the ropes on the goods and beverage side of the business. 

“Bull could come into a room and in one quick glance knew the inefficiencies. He had a brilliant business mind,” said Hicks. 

But Hicks didn’t just lose a business partner, or mentor, she also lost a friend. She says what she’ll miss most about Bull is his larger-than-life personality. 

“He was a gentle soul… truly the king of the good times [when it comes] to finding a place for people to gather to have a little laugh and dance,” said Hicks. 

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