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9 Calgary Music Venues That’ll Get You Dancing in No Time
If you’re one to revel in live music, you should definitely include Calgary in your list of places to visit in Canada. The city is home to tons of bustling live music venues that host talented local and sometimes international acts!
As someone who constantly feels the need to discover new artists and songs regularly, I thank my lucky stars that Calgary is just a stone’s throw away from our home. Whether I’m craving jazz, blues or full-on orchestras, I can just search for upcoming acts in the city.
After countless tickets, door charges, entrance fees, etc., I’ve now ended up with a list of the best places to enjoy live music in Calgary to help you and your loved ones find your next show! Keep on reading to discover these venues and why we love them.
Studio Bell: Home of the National Music Centre
Media credit: nmc_canada
Address: 850 4 St. SE
Contact details: +1 403-543-5115
Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost:
- Weekday:
- Adults: CAD24.50
- Students/Seniors: CAD19.50
- Youth (4 to 12 years): CAD16.50
- Weekends:
- Adults: CAD39.75
- Students/Seniors: CAD34.75
- Youth (4 to 12 years): CAD31.75
Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre (NMC), is more than just a live music venue, as it also houses exhibits that tell the story of Canada’s musical history. It also features studios and rentals, so check them out if you’re looking for a place to rehearse as well!
Talents from NMC itself usually perform their hearts out at the Performance Hall, which features tiered seating. It doesn’t matter which seat you get, however, as the room features superb acoustics.
One of our favourite shows to catch here is the “Candlelight” series, which aims to pay tribute to talented international acts, like Adele, Pink Floyd, ABBA, and more. They don’t just cover these artists’ hits as well, as they offer a more elegant arrangement, complete with candlelit interiors!
Pro tip:
If you’re 65+ years of age or you’re visiting with a senior, consider stopping by on Wednesdays! They hold a special promo called “Senior Wednesdays”, where they can enjoy admissions at just CAD10.
King Eddy
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Address: 438 9 Ave SE
Contact details: +1 403-829-6016
Operating hours:
- Thursday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
King Eddy is located right next to Studio Bell, and it’s a must-visit after exploring the exhibits of the Musical Centre. It’s a hotel and bar that offers an intimate live music venue that hosts local and international artists.
Visiting this place is like a gamble with no risk because you can either fall in love with laid-back acoustic sets or get up and groove with live jazz acts. One thing’s for certain, however, and that is you’ll get to enjoy amazing food like brisket poutine, BBQ pork sliders, burgers, and more!
To get you in the mood, you can also order your favourite drink from their bar and believe me, whichever your go-to is, they have it! From different types of draft beers to whiskey, cocktails, wines, and more, their shelf has them all.
Pro tip:
Follow their official Instagram to stay in the loop of their upcoming events and musical acts! For instance, they’ll sometimes open the patio, where you can sip on different types of wines while vibing out to live DJ sets.
Ironwood Stage and Grill
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Address: 1229 9 Ave SE
Contact details: +1 403-269-5581
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
As you may have gleaned from its name, Ironwood Stage and Grill offers amazing live acts and perfectly seared dishes. For instance, one of the prime offerings from their menu is the braised beef short ribs due to their fall-off-the-bone texture and perfectly seasoned meat.
We also love the overall intimate vibes of the bar, as it can only accommodate up to 100 people. This setting is just right, as the performances here usually focus on folk and roots music, so expect acoustic guitars, blues, jazz, and more!
Meanwhile, if you’ve been meaning to share your musical abilities, you may want to consider visiting on Wednesdays during their open mics. Who knows, maybe the owners will love you enough to turn you into a regular act!
Pro tip:
You can take the bus and drop off at the WB 9 Av @ 12 St SE station (located across the bar), if you want a cheap and convenient way to get here. Plus, it’s also the better option if you’re planning on getting a few drinks during the night.
The Blues Can
Media credit: thebluescancalgary
Address: 2002 16 Ave NW
Contact details: +1 403-262-2666
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 4:00 PM to 2:00 AM
- Friday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM
When it comes to offering amazing vibes, The Blues Can is one of the best! This spot is the perfect mix between a speakeasy and a bar reminiscent of those blues bars typically found in the bayous of South America, where this music originated.
Speaking of, you can also expect to enjoy homestyle Southern cooking from their menu, among which is their famous Louisiana-style BBQ pork ribs! If you ask us, however, their best offering is the mildly spicy jambalaya, which features savoury sausages, big prawns, and chicken.
Every night, this place comes alive because aside from the talented blues acts from all over the country, the dance floor becomes the main gathering area!
Pro tip:
Don’t miss out on their sweet potato fries! They come with an amazing chipotle aioli dip that’s equal parts smoky, creamy, sweet, and spicy!
The Palace Theatre
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Address: 219 8 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 587-393-6993
Cost: CAD49 to CAD119+ depending on the act
Website
The Palace Theatre is the epitome of a live music venue, from its tiered seating to the marquee displaying upcoming acts, near-perfect acoustics, and a perfectly sized stage. It’s over a hundred years old and started as a movie theatre, which you can still see remnants of today.
Today, it welcomes musical acts worldwide, from heavy metal bands to live DJs, acoustic artists, and everything in between. It can accommodate up to 1,200 guests, but the straightforward layout allows it to maintain a somewhat intimate feel.
However, what makes this place one of the best live music venues in Calgary is its crisp sound and intricate lighting systems. This is perfectly showcased during EDM nights where a symphony of lights and sounds takes centre stage.
Pro tip:
Consider this place if you’re looking for a venue for your special events! They also offer bookings that include cocktails and suites.
Dickens
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Address: 1000 9 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403-233-7550
Cost: $
Website
Menu
Dickens is one of the hippest live music venues in Calgary, offering a no-judgment zone for people in the punk, metal, and alternative scene. It’s also inclusive, offering people in the LGBTQIA+ community a safe space to jam out to their favourite live acts.
You’ll also fall in love with Dickens’ underground atmosphere, which offers a far more raw experience compared to nightclubs and rooftop bars. For instance, instead of elegant light fixtures and wallpapers, you’ll find graffiti-covered walls and dim lights.
Lastly, Dickens also offers a mean selection of grub ranging from burgers to pizza, tacos, fries, and quesadillas. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without a wide selection of draft beers, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages!
Pro tip:
Check out the fry bar, where you can mix and match different seasonings and sauces. Extra tip: go for the maple bacon and buffalo ranch combo, you won’t regret it!
Palomino Smokehouse
Media credit: sledisland
Address: 109 7 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403-532-1911
Operating hours: Daily from 11:30 AM to 12:00 AM
Cost: $$
Website
Menu
The Palomino Smokehouse oozes with Texan charm with its exposed brick walls, vintage wooden furniture, and open-concept kitchen. It also features a beautiful patio that’s dazzled by light bulbs and surrounded by retro murals.
However, the main highlight here is the stage, which is hidden in their basement. This is where energetic live acts happen in their rawest form, with the artists themselves only being an arm’s reach away from the dance floor.
You can expect to have your hunger and taste buds satisfied as well, as this place is home to some of the best slow-cooked meat in Calgary! We usually recommend ribs because of the gnaw factor, but we’ll make an exception here and encourage you to order the juicy brisket.
Pro tip:
If you can’t get enough of their dry ribs but can’t bring yourself to justify their prices, we recommend visiting on Tuesdays after 4:00 PM! This is when they’ll sell their rib (per bone) at CAD2 a bone.
Bella Concert Hall
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Address: 4825 Mt Royal Gate SW
Contact details: +1 403-440-7770
Cost: $$-$$$
Website
Many Calgarians rave about Bella Concert Hall because of its unreal sound quality. Looking closer, this aspect can be attributed to its customizable acoustics. This results in a crisper sound that resonates no matter which seat you’re in.
We also love how cozy and inviting the overall ambience is, thanks to the beautiful cherry wood interiors and warm lighting. Furthermore, the lighting can be configured as well, depending on the act!
Speaking of, the acts they feature here are impressively varied, from tribute bands to full-on symphonies, and more. Furthermore, it’s a common stop for various local and international artists.
Pro tip:
There are several parking lots in Mount Royal University, but be sure to pin your location to the East Parkade, as it’s the closest one to Bella Concert Hall.
Modern Love
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Address: 613 11 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 368-993-5683
Operating hours: Daily from 4:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Cost: $
Website
Menu
Modern Love offers one of the most affordable live music venues in Calgary, along with cold beer and a wide variety of cocktails. Their beer comes from 18 different taps, with each one varying in notes and mouth feel.
One of the highlights here is the extended rooftop patio, which transforms into a lively dance floor during live DJ shows. We also love the different themes they have each night, as it keeps the music and party experience fresh!
For instance, you could be dancing to 2010s pop hits, and rock out to emo and indie pop live bands the next night. They’ll also hold trivia nights at random throughout the week, so stay alert if you want to showcase your pop culture knowledge!
Pro tip:
If you get the munchies in the middle of your party, we recommend getting the buffalo chicken dip to share.
