CALGARY - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 462

NIGHTLIFE
Country-Music Bars
With a nickname like Cowtown, it's not surprising that some of Calgary's hottest night-
spots play country music. Ranchman's (9615 Macleod Trail SW, 403/253-1100) is the
place to check out first, especially during Stampede Week. Some of country's hottest stars
have played this authentic honky-tonk. Food is served at a bar out front all day, then at
7pm the large dance hall opens with a band keeping the crowd boot-scootin' most nights.
The hall is a museum of rodeo memorabilia and photographs, with a chuck wagon hanging
from the ceiling. On the south side of the railway tracks from downtown is hip Cowboys
(1088 Olympic Way SE, 403/265-0699). The crowd is urban-slick, but when country mu-
sic plays, the fancy-dancing crowd seems to know every word. Both of these bars are open
for lunch and offer a quiet atmosphere through the afternoon.
Other Bars and Dance Clubs
Options for a quiet drink include lounge bars in major downtown hotels. Of these, the
Sandstone Lounge (Hyatt Regency, 700 Centre St., 403/717-1234) stands out for its cent-
ral location (off Stephen Avenue Walk), classy surroundings, and extensive drink selection.
Raw Bar (Hotel Arts, 119 12th Ave. SW, 403/266-4611, 11am-9pm daily) is as exotic as
it gets in Calgary—a cabana-like setting around an outdoor pool. Back on Stephen Avenue
Walk, in an old bank building, James Joyce Irish Pub (114 8th Ave. SW, 403/262-0708)
has Guinness on tap and a menu of traditional British dishes. Nearby is Ceilis (803 8th
Ave. SW, 403/265-1200), an Irish pub with over 60 beers on tap.
Downtown in a grandly restored theater, The Palace (218 8th Ave. SW, 403/263-9980)
has a large dance floor and big-time lighting and sound systems. Mercury Lounge (550
17th Ave. SW, 403/229-0222) attracts a young, hip crowd for its cocktail-bar ambien-
ce—the perfect pre-nightclub hangout. For many Mercury patrons, the next stop is Tequila
(219 17th Ave. SW, 403/209-2215), where a DJ spins house and hip-hop for a young
party crowd. Also within walking distance is the Metropolitan Grill (880 16th Ave. SW,
403/802-2393), where the over-25 crowd gravitates to the outdoor patio on warm sum-
mer nights. Glitzy 355 Mansion (355 10th Ave. SW, 403/264-0202) attracts the beautiful,
high-end crowd but remains welcoming.