The Best Nightlife In Calgary Alberta

Itching to get out on the town? These suggestions from our Calgary insiders have you covered, whether you’re looking for sophisticated cocktails, live music venues or opportunities to party into the wee hours.

1. Shelter

Cocktail Bar, Cocktails

“Small but otherworldly” is how our local insider describes this southwest cocktail joint. You’ll certainly be struck by the decor as you walk in, with gorgeous light fixtures that feature over 5,000 individually hung bulbs providing somewhat of a contrast with the apocalypse chic of the gas mask wall. Come for the exciting cocktail menu, and visit often to try out the ever-evolving selection of drinks that the bar’s team of expert mixologists comes up with. Recommended by local insider Yamila Godoy

2. Proof

Cocktail Bar, Cocktails

Even the Instagram-ambivalent won’t be able to resist taking a snap or two while at Proof. Their drinks really are stunning to behold – you may need to take a while to get over the artistry behind each cocktail before you feel able to drink it. Film and literature buffs will love that their cocktails are inspired by books and movies, with works as diverse as The Lord of the Rings, The Shining, Fantastic Mr Fox and The Sun Also Rises all represented. The menu is even divided up by genre, which is a far more novel way of choosing a drink than the usual longs/shorts division. Recommended by local insider Yamila Godoy

3. The Blues Can

Music Venue

The Blues Can brings all the joys of a night out in New Orleans to the frozen North, offering drinks, dinner and live music in an intimate venue. It draws in local musicians and well-known blues acts alike – grab a beer or a cocktail and enjoy the show. Those looking for food will be treated to a mouthwatering selection of Southern-style comfort, including po’ boy sandwiches, jambalaya, ribs, burgers and blackened catfish. Recommended by local insider Stuart Forster

5. Greta Bar

Bar, Cocktails

Greta Bar is a glorious mashup of sports bar, retro gaming arcade and a trendy street-food spot. Grab a beer, select your ’80s arcade game of choice, or sit back and watch the hockey, and prepare for a great night. Fuel your evening with the internationally inspired street-food menu from the truck at the back, which offers North American classics like hot dogs and cinnamon donuts alongside bao buns, shawarma wraps and Indonesian fried rice. Recommended by local insider Coco Hiu Tung Yuen

6. The Rec Room

Bar, Restaurant, Canadian

If you’re big on nights out, but not so hot on traditional nightclubs, the Rec Room might just be your new favorite spot for late-night socializing. Grab a pint from the bar, load up your RFID bracelets with credits and head off to explore the arcade games. If you amass enough game points, you’ll be able to claim a prize from the trophy case – this includes guitars, Michael Kors purses and even iPads alongside firmly established arcade favorites like stuffed animals and those terrible temporary tattoos you loved as a child. Recommended by local insider Coco Hiu Tung Yuen

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.