Best nightclubs in Calgary

Calgary’s nightlife brings the perfect balance of big-city rush and community comfort. When the sun goes down, Calgary’s diverse nightclubs offer pumping dance floors, intimate live music, and boot-stomping fun.

Back Alley Calgary

Back Alley Calgary is the place to go for events, concerts or shows where you can dance until you drop. It spans 12,000 square feet featuring four themed bars, a massive dance floor and major ambience. The Jameson-themed bar serves Back Alley’s custom-made draft beer alongside a selection of other craft delights.

Address: 4630 Macleod Trail

Twisted Element

This hopping LGBTQ+ club combines a celebration of diversity with a unique nightlife experience. With the goal to promote quality by creating a safe space, Twisted Element ensures an environment where everyone can enjoy the same rights and a night of fun. Each night brings something new to enjoy from karaoke, drag shows, dancing, billiards, and plenty of good food and drinks.

Address: 1006 – 11 Ave SW

Sweet Loretta Bar

Sweet Loretta Bar brings a mix of vintage charm and modern nightlife to Calgary’s Beltline district. This late-night spot features curated cocktails, live DJs, and an intimate dance floor that keeps the energy high. Whether you’re sipping a craft cocktail or moving to the beat, Sweet Loretta delivers a unique and unforgettable night out.

Address: 715 11 Ave SW

Rated Ultra Lounge

The newest addition to Calgary’s nightlife scene, Rated Ultra Lounge features talented local DJs, curated drink and bottle menus, and an electronic experience designed to fuel your dancing spirit.

Address: 314 3 St SE

Commonwealth Bar and Stage

Born from a shared passion for music, Commonwealth Bar and Stage transformed an old warehouse into a celebrated nightclub destination. As the only venue in Calgary with two distinct floors of music, the club presents a fashionable local favourite for music lovers and partiers alike. From club weeklies to a full lineup of events to attend, there are always options to get out and support the local music scene.

Address: 731 10 Ave SW

The Palomino

Love a barbecue paired with great live music? The Palomino is Calgary’s favourite smokehouse offering meats that are smoked low and slow in the largest smoker in Western Canada. While dining and drinking, enjoy the live music showcased here, spanning genres from all around the world. Pop by for a night of folk, garage, blues, punk, country, or hip-hop.

Address: 109 7 Ave SW

Modern Love YYC

The team behind The Buckingham in Edmonton brings a new venue to Calgary, that pairs vegan cuisine with punk music. Modern Love YYC will fill the gap left by the much-loved Broken City.

Address: 613 11 Ave SW

Whiskey Rose Saloon

The Whiskey Rose Saloon is a place to come together, listen to all kinds of music, knock back a few bourbons, and enjoy a night of true cowboy fun. Weekly specials offer a range of drinks and food to enjoy in a venue that brings the Stampede feeling every day of the year.

Address: 1012 17 Ave SW

Ranchman’s

For the last 50 years, Ranchman’s has been a favourite country nightclub destination. If you are new to country dance or interested in honing your skills, Ranchman’s provides free dance lessons so you can be a part of the action at this favourite Stampede hotspot.

Address: 9615 Macleod Trail S

Cowboy’s Nightclub

Since 1996 this iconic club offers “the most fun you can have with your boots on”. As Calgary’s biggest nightclub spanning a 70,000 square foot dance hall, Cowboy’s Nightclub features the best of country and top 40 music through its regular live shows. Weekly events include lip sync battles, an annual wing-eating challenge, drag shows and more.

Address: 421 12 Ave SE

Spanky's Saloon

This western style bar brings a dedicated dance floor where you can Jitterbug, Honky Tonk, or two-step the night away with boot-tapping live music. Spanky's Saloon adds country themed-cocktails, local craft beer, aged whiskeys, and rustic wood décor to pull together a straight-out-of-the-Old West feel.

Address: 219 10 Ave SW

Papi  

This one-of-a-kind House of Tequila and Margarita Dance Club comes together with exceptional experiences for a high-end night out. Papi really gets going at 9 p.m. with dazzling lights and a wide variety of entertainment, from dance parties to live performances. Papi has three rooms with four different atmospheres to enjoy, such as Pablo’s Secret Taqueria, offering Mexican-inspired street food and an open-concept kitchen to watch the chefs at work.

Address: 630 8 Ave SW

Sub Rosa

Escape from the ordinary and indulge in the extraordinary at Sub Rosa . This elevated lounge is located below a heritage building just off Stephen Ave. Its vintage-style furniture and century-old brick walls will transport you back in time for the evening.

Address: Lower level, 200 – 8 Ave SW

Please N Thanks

This underground nightclub, nestled in the heart of downtown Calgary, offers an upscale nightlife experience. A bar and nightclub for ages 21 and over only, Please N Thanks recommends dressing to the nines to really embrace the vibe.

Address: 811 1 St SW

CRAFT

Now in six cities across Canada, the original CRAFT is in the Beltline neighbourhood on 10th Ave. SW. What sets this location of CRAFT apart is the three-season rooftop patio providing 360-degree views of Calgary’s skyline. There is plenty of fun inside too with bocce courts and shuffleboard.

Address: 345 10 Ave SW  and 100 Anderson Rd SE

Greta Bar

Over 50 arcade games will bring out the kid in everyone at Greta Bar . In between playing Donkey Kong and Air Hockey, grab some street food like arancini cheese balls or ginger beef bao buns.

Address: 213 10 Ave SW

National

National has become a local institution with four locations, including three downtown. They are the perfect place to meet friends for a beer or two and on weekends they are buzzing. National on 10th has a stylish bowling alley that makes a fun time even better. Local tip - bowling is free every Friday from 3 - 5 p.m.

Address: 341 10 Ave SW , 550 17 Ave SW , and 180 Stewart Green SW