Top 10 Bars and Clubs in Alberta

Description:

This party den at the Athabasca Hotel is usually just called the Atha'B, or simply The B. It caters to a young clientele with its changing lineup of Top 40 bands, dance floor, and movies shown on the large-screen TV. In action Monday through Saturday until 2am.

Description:

Located in the 1920s era Athabasca Hotel, "The Atha B" marks the very center of Jasper. This is the spot to really kick up your heels and socialize; it's hopping year round and attracts a youthful crowd. You can hear live music most nights and dance every night. You can play pool or sit in at the long, two-sided bar and have a few pints. Be ready to party, though, because this is more of a rocking nightclub than a sit and chat pub.

Description:

If you would like to travel the whole world without moving, you can do so right at the Blue Chair Café. With its international cuisine, delicious drinks from around the globe, and artists that have scaled the seven seas to perform before you, this place is sure to take you on a trip of a lifetime! The live entertainment is varied and rich in culture, and streams across genres like folk, rock, nu-jazz, pop, alternative, acoustic, Latin, Celtic, experimental, and other fantastic sounds. Call for event timings and additional information.

Description:

If you are a North-end resident in Edmonton, you probably already know of this happening downtown nightclub. If not, it's time you introduced yourself to it. With the perfect combination of cool dance tracks, a vibrant atmoshphere, and a crowd that knows how to party, the New City Likwid Lounge is the ideal place to chill out with buddies, meet new people, or simply dance the night away. There's a wide range of DJ music that's played here, most of which revolves around rock, punk, pop, electronica, alternative, and house beats. On certain nights the New City Likwid Lounge also features live music performances and theme nights. Call for event timings, and additional information.

Description:

It took the ultra-cool cocktail lounge format a while to reach Banff, but here it is. Dance to DJ-spun rock while sipping something delicious in a martini glass

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The Rose and Crown Irish pub is a great way to get the 'craic' started. Take a seat in front of the fireplace on cold days, or on the large second-floor patio on sunny ones. There is live music nightly and a games room with pool tables and video games. Like its sister bar in Calgary, the Rose serves up great pub food such as steak sandwiches, shepherd's pie and tasty burgers. But beer is the big draw here, and there is a wide selection of domestic and import brews.

Description:

One of four restaurants housed inside the Chateau Lake Louise, Walliser Stube brings home the Swiss influence in decor and casual excellence. The Swiss invented cheese fondue, and the version you'll have here would put most of what you'd find in Switzerland to shame -- it's simply excellent. Cozy and casual (the back room, called the library, lines its shelves with wine, not books), Walliser Stube is as much an experience as a meal. But even if it were just a meal, it would be fantastic; an incredibly comfortable space, in one of the best hotels in the world, in one of the most majestic settings on the planet, is hard to beat.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best live jazz venue in Calgary

Description:

Put your cool on and head down (literally) to this hip spot perched in the basement underneath the Piq Niq Café. It may be tricky to find but that just enhances the modish demeanor, and once you do find it and get a martini in hand you can easily hop on the hepcat spirit with surrounding seductive atmosphere and funky vibes brewing in the joint. The club is a gateway for rising local artists and established players on the local and national circuit. The bar serves drinks throughout the evening and there is a small snack menu available.

Description:

As far as we can tell, Hop In Brew Coffee and Beer House is Calgary's first and only coffee and beer house. Because most coffee and beer lovers are passionate about what they drink, the owners decided to combine the two in a comfortable and down-home atmosphere and offer a number of specialty coffees and micro-brewed beers. Play darts or pool or simply enjoy one of their many table games. The menu sticks to the tried and true and offers deli sandwiches and delicious homemade pizza as well as a daily soup and salad special.

Our Local Expert Says:

Cleanest taps in the City - if you're willing to pay a slightly higher price, this is one of the best places around to have a pint

Description:

A visitor walking through the wide front doors of this revived heritage bank building may quickly feel they've died and gone to Dublin. From the brews on tap (Guinness at three different temperatures and many other ales), to the acres of dark wood and utter absence of TVs or pinging video gaming machines, this is the green isle revisited. The food includes modestly priced pub fare such as soups, stews and carvery meats. For a big snack, try their Irish take on nachos.