Calgary Music: Popular Neighbourhoods for Musical Entertainment

The Best Calgary Neighborhoods for Great Music

The city of Calgary is overflowing with unique and wonderful dining and entertainment options. No matter what your favourite foods, evening events, or musical preferences are, Calgary is guaranteed to have something for everyone. In particular, Calgary has always been an explosion of musical richness. This vibrant city has a place for each genre, and new and local music can be found throughout the quadrants. The Scotiabank Saddledome, for example, is known to host some of the world’s top recording artists; the Philharmonic Orchestra is sought out for their moving renditions of classic and modern compositions; and of course, each year the Calgary Stampede’s extravagant musical performances at the Grand Stand Show will keep you on your feet. If you are seeking the next foot-tapping, heart-pumping musical experience, you do not have to look far! Here are the most popular neighbourhoods for musical entertainment to find the best Calgary music.

Kensington

For local and trending new Calgary music, the neighbourhood of Kensington is one of the top locations that come to mind. This hip, comfortable, and community-centric neighbourhood is known for it’s many quaint cafes, tasty restaurants, and local shops. Here it is easy to find open mic nights, smaller performing artists, and musical events. Many businesses host the opportunity for locals and visitors to come and listen to the music of the city in comfortable environments. Each of these music-supporting locations are found along the main shopping strip on Kensington Road:

Kensington, Calgary Music Venues:

  • 1918 Tap and Table (live music)
  • Oak Tree Tavern (live music)
  • Pizza Bob’s (live music)
  • Fionn MacCool’s (live music)

Downtown

In the neighbourhood of Downtown, Calgary, a number of exciting and sophisticated music events can be found. This central neighbourhood is home to many musical entertainment venues, such as the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, which has been lighting up Calgary with live music since 1955. In addition to the Philharmonic Orchestra, there are other great art venues in the downtown core that share an abundance of concerts, plays, and shows year-round. Aside from the larger more refined venues, the local music scene is also a constant buzz. Cafes, pubs, restaurants, and hotels are known to host some of the best Calgary music around. These entertainment locations can be found throughout the entirety of the city centre, with popular locations being the Saddledome, Bankers Hall, Stephen Avenue, and TD Square.

Downtown, Calgary Music Venues:

  • Scotiabank Saddledome (concerts, shows, live music)
  • Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (concerts, orchestra, chorus, classical music)
  • Arts Commons (concerts, jazz, classical, shows)
  • Alberta Ballet (classical music)
  • Telus Convention Centre (shows, presentations, specialty events)
  • Palomino Smokehouse (live music, local artists, shows, specialty events)
  • Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (shows, concerts, musicals, ballet, classical music)
  • Broken City (live music)
  • Cowboy’s (live music, concerts, nightclub)
  • Theatre Junction Grand (shows, jazz, rock, techno, experimental soundscapes, etc.)
  • The Palace Theatre (concerts, shows, specialty events)
  • Junction – Food. Stage. Bar (live music)
  • Hear’s My Soul Café (local live music)
  • Dicken’s Pub (local live music)
  • Calgary Stampede Grounds (seasonal music events)
  • Jack Singer Concert Hall (concerts, orchestra, world music, jazz, world music events)
  • The Hifi Club (live music, nightclub)
  • Studio Bell – National Music Centre (music exhibitions, shows, concerts, shows)
  • King Eddy (shows, live music, local music)

Inglewood

The Inglewood neighbourhood is one of the best spots to visit for local musical entertainment. The neighbourhood is actually part of Calgary’s Music Mile – the mile from the Studio Bell Centre all the way to The Blues Can in Inglewood. It is here that the hottest live music of YYC can be found. Places such as the Ironwood Stage & Grill (identified as “Western Canada’s finest Live Music Venue”) offer a variety of musical events throughout the year. These events at the Ironwood include jazz brunches, shows from local popular artists, evenings with Canadian artists, and other fantastic performances. Head to each of these Inglewood music venues to check out the latest in Calgary music, as well be sure to pay a visit to the cozy cafes along the main street for other live music opportunities.

Inglewood, Calgary Music Venues:

  • Ironwood Stage & Grill (concerts, shows, local live music, local bands, jazz)
  • The Blues Can (live music, blues)
  • Gravity Espresso and Wine Bar (local live music)
  • Calgary Folk Music Festival – Festival Hall (shows, music festivals, concerts)
  • Lolita’s Lounge (shows, live music, jazz)
  • The Nash (shows, concerts, local music, jazz)

For more event listings and information on the neighbourhood, visit the Inglewood neighbourhood website!

Beltline 17th Avenue

Another primary location that Calgarians visit for the bustle and excitement of nightlife is the Beltline neighbourhood (also often called 17th Avenue or the ‘red mile’). It is here that an abundance of pubs, bars, restaurants, clubs, and cafes can be found with a never-ending list of entertainment. If you are looking for a quiet restaurant to enjoy the sounds of live music, or are looking to dance to the beat the DJ plays, 17th avenue has a bit of everything for everyone. One of the most popular places to dance is National on 17th, which is an entertainment venue with a wide selection of North American foods as well as beers, games, and of course, music. Take a look at some of the other Beltline neighbourhood locations waiting for you when it comes to Calgary music:

Beltline/17th Avenue, Calgary Music Venues:

  • Commonwealth Bar & Stage (concerts, shows, jazz, nightclub)
  • Koi (live music)
  • Mikey’s on 12th (live music)
  • National on 17th (live music, shows, concerts)
  • The Ship and Anchor (live music)
  • Betty Lou’s Library (live music, shows, jazz bands, musicians)
  • Elate Lounge Beauty Bar and Café (live music)

Other Notable Calgary Music Venues:

Alongside each of these eclectic neighbourhoods, be sure to check out other musical events in surrounding communities such as MacEwan Hall in the University Heights neighbourhood for top artist performances. As well, you can always peruse the many cafes and restaurants in the other Calgary areas for further live music events! Take a look at these other notable Calgary music venues for further entertainment:

  • MacEwan Hall Concerts - University of Calgary (shows, concerts, live music)
  • Aussie Rules Piano Bar (live music, interactive piano bar)
  • Cornerstone Music Café (local live music, music lessons, shows) 
  • Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall (country music, nightclub, live music)
  • The Barn (local live music)
  • Bowness Pub (live music)
  • The Kilt and Caber Ale House (live music, bands)
  • Kawa Espresso Bar (live music)
  • Bella Concert Hall (shows, concerts, choir, classical, performances)
  • The Trop Bar and Grill (live music, bands)
  • The Gateway (live music, concerts, shows)
  • Murrieta’s Bar and Grill (live music, bands, R&B, classic rock, jazz)
  • Marquee Beer Market & Stage (concerts, shows, nightclub)

Get ready to enjoy the sounds of Calgary with these muscical venues that are guaranteed to provide every opportunity to dance and tap along!

For other upcoming music events in Calgary and for the latest artist and band information to catch the latest shows, stay tuned to Calgary event listings. For more information on these specific Calgary music events and show times you can access a list of events at Eventbrite.ca, avenuecalgary.com, the Tourism Calgary event website, or through a local events search on Facebook.

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