Getting turnt without getting burnt
Liam Rockliffe, Features Editor & Bella Coco, News Editor |
Calgary offers many great clubbing opportunities for all types of people and ways of life; whether you’re looking to get your cowboy boots on, or if you just want to dance with your friends, there’s a club for you!
Ranchmans is located in southern Calgary along Macleod Trail. This club sports the most country vibe and holds all the hospitality and friendliness of a small town. Most people dress in full Western attire including boots, jeans, and a hat. Ranchmans also has a mechanical bull and a large patio which is fully open during stampede. The music played here is (as you guessed) is country with the odd hit 90’s or 2000’s song. This music is accompanied by two-stepping, line dancing, and swing dancing, and if you ever don’t know how to do a dance–don’t be shy to ask anyone around you for help. Ranchmans also offers free dance lessons every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday–they teach everything from swing dancing to the cha cha and also offer line dance lessons, check out their website to know exactly when to drop by!
The Back Alley leans heavily into the nightclub EDM (electronic dance music) scene, having dark fog, lasers and club lights, it’s an ever-going rave open every weekend. The Back Alley also hosts musicians from all over the world, check out their events page to learn what’s coming up! The Back Alley, however, is aptly named, as it’s good to stay aware of your surroundings while at this club and while commuting to the club, bring a friend and travel in groups!
Commonwealth hosts weekly live music performances and is one of the best places to go in the city to broaden your musical horizons. Sporting a two-floor, abandoned warehouse, the club holds an “underground” vibe; each floor has its own music each night, so there’s always a beat you can groove to. The lower stage is played by some of the best hip-hop DJs in the country. Commonwealth, just like every club in Calgary, has its own unique feel and deserves to be on everyone’s radar at least once.
Twisted Element, Calgary’s most popular queer nightclub is known for its electric drag shows and inclusive experiences, leaving it to be a highly sought out venue for a night out of drinking and dancing. Whether you want to be up on the centre circular stage in the spotlight or hanging down in the lower level of the club, Twisted never leaves its patrons bored. Each weekend is jam-packed with events, shows, and engagement. The DJ prioritizes pop music’s greatest of all time artists, from ABBA to Chappell Roan. Best known for being a safe and inclusive space for all, Twisted is open to all for a good time.
Greta offers not only a club with bumping music, but also a fully fledged arcade, and “The Alley” which has street art created by six of Calgary’s most influential street artists. Greta is the perfect club to visit if you’re looking to experience a different side of clubbing, while slightly turned down from the other clubs on this list the arcade, food, and people make up for this, creating an environment where no one is ever bored.
National is an ever expanding club with four locations dotted around Calgary. National on 17th is the club’s original location and still holds the interest and hearts of many Calgarians. It has long tables and is the perfect place for a sit down to enjoy food and friends. National Westhills is very similar to National 17th and is more food-focused. National on 10th has an arcade-like appeal, with ping pong, foosball tables, and even 8 lanes of bowling available. National on 8th is your traditional nightclub but also has the biggest rooftop patio in western Canada perfect to throw a chair off of like Morgan Wallen – but we don’t endorse destructive behaviour of course
Modern Love is a fairly new venue to Calgary which serves food and replaces what is left of the beloved club Broken City. Run by the same people who brought The Buckingham to Edmonton, Modern Love will no doubt integrate itself into the hearts of Calgarians. From summer patio parties to Monday night comedy shows, Modern Love doesn’t fall short on events to spend an evening of fun on.
Last on this list of clubs for your enjoyment is none other than Cowboys. Cowboys produces mixed opinions, with some hailing it as the happiest place on earth, and others absolutely despising it. It boasts the largest venue in Calgary, featuring music of all genres, with a focus on modern country. Inside the club, there are several games and activities, and many bars fit to serve any type of beverage a person would want, there is also a large central dancefloor. Cowboys is connected to Cowboys Casino but operates as a completely separate business. Cowboys Casino is a gigantic Casino with table games, poker, and nearly every available slot machine in Calgary. Overall, Cowboys does have something for everyone and can certainly provide some fun nights.
Calgary is home to some of the hottest clubs in Canada, and hopefully, this guide has provided some insight before you venture to explore them yourselves.
