When it comes to clubbing in Calgary, there is definitely no shortage of eclectic options. Although the city’s nightlife scene and venues go through their fair share of switch ups and gear changes, there are also a few established hot spots that are twice their age in “bar years”, considering how difficult it can be to survive in the fickle club industry. Calgary’s nightlife can feel part big city, part small town. The city’s work-hard, play-hard attitude, access to great live shows, concentrated collection of venues, friendly people, mosaic of music options, and supportive music scene all play a part in developing its unique night culture. As Calgary grows, so does its nightlife, and as you’ll find there is a little something for everyone.
Nightclubs in Calgary
Calgary Club Scene
Nightclubs in Calgary
Habitat Living Sound is DJ owned and operated (Photo credit: @mcg.captures on Instagram).
Habitat Living Sound
Habitat Living Sound has been around for more than 10 years and what a decade it has been. A little club that could, Habitat has been instrumental in developing Calgary’s house music scene, hosting some legendary DJ over the years, long-time residencies, and developing events like “Studio Social” which see participants get together to learn from other producers and DJs. “A boutique electronic music micro-club” Habitat is DJ owned and operated, and home to both seasoned vets up & comers, always pushing community and an authentic and deeply curated space. Wanna go out on a Wednesday? Check Habitat’s Hump Day House Party for some mid-week fun.
Address: 1217 1 St SW
The Ace Nightclub
The Ace Nightclub is the newest kid on the block, located right behind the Palomino and a “fusion of street art, fashion, and the music we love”. Ace is easy to get to, right on the train line and in the heart of downtown. With tons of dancing space, several bars, blaring music on the sound and a glowing white premium round bar to order your drinks at, you can be sure you’ll have a good time. Set up a guestlist and VIP deals for all of your friends to avoid the line. Friday night’s feature today’s hip hop, trap, and club bangers, while Saturday bring classic to contemporary hip hop, R&B, and top 40 hits.
Address: 111 7 Ave SW
Marquee Beer Market & Stage
Voted Best of Calgary’s Best Place to Dance, Marquee Beer Market & Stage is both bar and a larger music venue than most in town, bringing in big acts and the crowds to go with them. If there’s a band or a DJ coming to Calgary that you just gotta see, chances are they are playing the Marquee. Located a little out of downtown on MacLeod Trail, you can catch the train or grab one of the many taxis always waiting out front.
Address: 4630 Macleod Trail S
It’s always a great party at Twisted Element (Photo credit: @dzphotoyyc on Instagram).
Twisted Element
Twisted Element is only one of a couple gay bars in Calgary but has been one of the best places for a night out in the city since 2004. Every night brings an adventure, whether you’re on the dance floor, playing pool, hanging out by the fireplace, or in the shower (you’ll just have to go and see what we mean!) From weekly themed evenings, to karaoke, burlesque, drag and variety shows, Twisted Element is a space dedicated to a great party, every time.
Address: 1006 11 Ave SW
Rio Bar & Grill
This one pairs two great things together—good food and dancing. Fine dining in a contemporary space, Rio Bar & Grill offers Italian, Spanish and other globally inspired fare. You can eat a great meal and then spend your evening shaking it off! Catch a salsa night on Thursdays, a Latino DJ on Fridays and a live Latino band on Saturday.
Address: 800 6 Ave SW
WURST
As one of Calgary’s first beer halls, WURST takes its cue from the traditional German Bierpalast, and is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. The beautiful upstairs restaurant (with indoor petrified olive trees imported from Sicily) is no stranger to wine nights and weddings, while the communal seating basement can see dinner guests sharing Bavarian pretzels and enormous meat platters morphing into an epic evening of Oktoberfest-esque proportions with a traditional oompha band (German horn group) egging guests to drink 2-litre boots of beer and dance on the tables. When the DJ starts at 10:00 p.m., the entire place turns into a nightclub playing Top 40 and club hits.
Address: 2437 4 St SW
The HiFi Club has legendary status in the electronic music world.
The HiFi Club
Known as “your favourite DJ’s favorite club”, The HiFi Club has built quite the legendary status in the electronic music world in the last couple of decades. The longest-running night club in Calgary, (with the longest running consecutive house music residency in North America, “Sunday Skool”) HiFi Club is a place supportive of its local arts and music scene, with a knack of bringing some of the best underground electronic acts to its small 2000 square foot space just before they blow up. Enjoy a hot, sweaty evening making friends and dancing the night away to the incredible PK sound system and an impressive light rig.
Address: 219 10 Ave SW
Get your line-dance on at Cowboys Dance Hall.
Cowboys Dance Hall
If you forgot that Calgary has a cowboy rep and hosts a little thing called The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth – aka the Calgary Stampede – every year, take a trip to Cowboys Dance Hall. With a motto like "The Most Fun You Can Have With Your Boots On!" and situated right inside the Cowboys Casino, this place celebrates excess, country music, Top 40 and straight-up revelry. Almost a must-do in Calgary for its notoriety, get your line-dance on to some dangerous drink specials.
Address: 421 12 Ave SE
Jam-packed dance floors at Commonwealth Bar & Stage (Photo credit: @chrisfocused on Instagram).
Commonwealth Bar & Stage
Commonwealth Bar & Stage is another venue that is open during the week for both live shows, and as a nightclub for Wednesday, Friday & Saturday DJ residencies. Boasting jam-packed dance floors, cool vibe and décor, two levels and four bars, this sprawling venue truly lives up to its name as the “Uncommon Bar for Common People” – a place where you can catch a wide berth of music – sometimes on the same night – including hip hop, trap, rock n’ roll and everything in between.
Address: 731 10 Ave SW
Greta Bar
One thing about Calgary’s bar scene is its tendency to ebb and flow together through current trends. Barcades (bar + arcade) are the hottest thing in clubs since a dance floor these days and new kid on the block Greta Bar pulls out all the stops. With its colorful atmosphere, pumping music, 50 games, two floors, indoor food truck serving globally inspired street eats and yes, even a dance floor, Greta takes adult entertainment (of a different kind) to the next level.
Address: 213 10 Ave SW
Music Calgary
It’s all in the name – the true hallmark of a nightclub is the tunes. You couldn’t legitimately call yourself one without them. Music Calgary is a nightclub that celebrates everything about a club – bottle service, international DJs, party antics, drink specials, theme nights and a crazy light rig. You’ll find nightclub, stag, stagette, and birthday packages for when you want to take your crew for an evening at the club.
Address: 1140 10 Ave SW
Fire n Ice
Calgary’s extensive nightclub scene means you can find a huge variety as far as what you might be in the mood for – which in Fire n Ice’s case, means a packed, neon-lit lounge where you can imbibe in both swanky cocktails and shisha. From ladies’ specials, champagne deals, themed evenings like Latin nights to half-price wine nights – prepare yourself for a sensory experience.
Address: 854 16 Ave SW
Knoxville’s Tavern
Knoxville Tavern (formerly the Roadhouse) is a notorious big-room, traditional take on what you might imagine if you think of the “nightclub”. Situated along 9th avenue, which separates downtown from uptown, you’ll find dozens of cabs outside, and revelers darting across the street to jump in the weekend line that always signifies tons of people are there and ready to party. Grab a hotdog from the vendors outside while you wait, and make sure you’re ready for a big night, full of college students, multiple bars, country and Top 40 music.
Address: 840 9 Ave SW
The Palomino Smokehouse
The Pal, as many locals call it, is a rustic, raucous joint serving slow-roasted BBQ and live music. The Palomino Smokehouse is just as popular with the downtown lunch crowd as it is with those looking for everything from punk, rockabilly, glam, old school hip-hop, folk, metal, country and rock n’ roll at night. With two levels and a great summer patio, you can catch great shows at all hours in the best-smelling venue in town.
Address: 109 7 Ave SW
Broken City
With a rise in the popularity of “dive bars” (some of which look like they bought the dive-bar-in-a-box kit) Broken City is the real deal. One of Calgary’s beloved music venues, the authentic vibe captures the thriving yyc music scene. From graffiti-ed bathrooms to an amazing hand-painted rooftop patio; from cultivating local bands to hosting big shows year-round during the Big Winter Classic and Sled Island festivals, and from hip-hop club nights to rock n’ roll, this little bar’s got it all.
Address: 613 11 Ave SW
The Palace Theatre
Built in 1921 during the Golden Age of movie houses, the beautiful Palace Theatre on Stephen Ave was declared a National Historic site in 1996. The theatre had a nine-year hiatus as a sports bar and grill decorated in ill-fitting sports regalia in the 2000s, but the 1,200 patron live entertainment venue has recently gone back to its historic routes, restored the theatre, and now hosts excellent live concerts. Grab a spot on the ground or up the gorgeous mezzanine. Only open for shows: check www.thepalacetheatre.ca for event listings.
Address: 219 8 Ave SW
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