Calgary nightclubs/ live music venues from 1990's and later

[yorathforprez]

I am researching some of the live music venues from the 1990's and beyond in Calgary. Would appreciate any information on who played where and when.
Places I remember going:
Republik, Sparky's, Silver Dollar Action Centre, Night gallery as well as the university and colleges. If you have any info, I would appreciate it.
Thanks:

[artvandelay]

The Back Alley!

[lineman]

- Westward Club was around 'til about '94. Nirvana played there in '89.
- Studio A-Go-Go (probably more 80s though). Saw SNFU there (or was it at Skate Jungle?). Library is now being built where it once stood.
- Warehouse/Underground. I can't even remember who played in the underground because we would have one $3 jug too many (early 90s). Last show I saw at the Warehouse was The Hold Steady in '08.

[suburbia]

The Bank was quite notable. Not a regular live music place, but was still host to a number of performers. Among the legendary nightclubs in Calgary history for certain.

[Fuzz]

I wouldn't call it Legendary. It was a little unique, but nowhere near the status of somewhere like The Nightgallery, Republic or hell, even Coconut Joe's.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I wouldn't call it Legendary. It was a little unique, but nowhere near the status of somewhere like The Nightgallery, Republic or hell, even Coconut Joe's.

I suppose it depended on which crowd you fit into. The Bank was slightly more upscale and certainly more elegant. It also didn't allow in anyone under 21, so fewer snot-nosed kids. There were certainly way fewer prostitutes than some of the places you've listed.

[*Stardust*]

Tequila on 17th, Mynt (I think it was on 9th Avenue? I can't remember), Coyotes

[McMurph]

Originally Posted by suburbia

I suppose it depended on which crowd you fit into. The Bank was slightly more upscale and certainly more elegant. It also didn't allow in anyone under 21, so fewer snot-nosed kids. There were certainly way fewer prostitutes than some of the places you've listed.

Wow. To think that I never caught on to the degree of prostitution going on at the Republik. Next you're going to tell me that 10 Foot Henry's was but a front for an Opium Den.

[Fuzz]

What exactly are you looking for? Regular band/DJ nights, or only special events? I mean, I can tell you who played The Night Gallery every sunday night, but I'd guess you already know that... I can give you a bit more info for other events if you care about DJ's.

I've got a ticket stub in front of me for "Love Inc and Chris Sheppard sept 28 1998" at Cowboys.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

What exactly are you looking for? Regular band/DJ nights, or only special events? I mean, I can tell you who played The Night Gallery every sunday night, but I'd guess you already know that... I can give you a bit more info for other events if you care about DJ's.

I've got a ticket stub in front of me for "Love Inc and Chris Sheppard sept 28 1998" at Cowboys.

You've dialed 911 if you're lookin' for the 411 on the often imitated never duplicated one and you find me right here on your nationally syndicated dance music radio show.

[Barnes]

Java Sharks (I think?) on 17th next to the Shell station.

Metro had a side room where local bands would play. The Castle on first.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by McMurph

Wow. To think that I never caught on to the degree of prostitution going on at the Republik. Next you're going to tell me that 10 Foot Henry's was but a front for an Opium Den.

In addition to less prostitution (certainly in comparison to short-lived dives like Coconut Joe's), a more elegant facility and client, The Bank was also in operation for longer than most other places, a measure of its relative success. I'd estimate it was in place pushing 20 years under the same name and operation. Loved their indoor fireworks for new years - and these were legit, not like those at the other places.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by suburbia

In addition to less prostitution (certainly in comparison to short-lived dives like Coconut Joe's), a more elegant facility and client, The Bank was also in operation for longer than most other places, a measure of its relative success. I'd estimate it was in place pushing 20 years under the same name and operation. Loved their indoor fireworks for new years - and these were legit, not like those at the other places.

Calgary's hottest club is Bank.

Club promoter D-bag Chopra has gone all out and finally answers the question 'sup?'

This place has everything: Elegant facilities, clients, less prostitutes, botanist Richard Buxton, retired steam engine conductors, a golden turkey, indoor fireworks...

Indoor fireworks? It's that thing where a midget with sparklers jumps on a trampoline at midnight.

[Calgarian]

My favourite club in the city from the 90's until the mid 00's was the Embassy. Too bad it became a total bar star type place when it was changed to Mynt. Now it's the atrium of EAP lol.

[Fuzz]

Ya, Embassy was fantastic, apart from that goddamn stairwell. So narrow. The rooftop patio was awesome when it was open.

[CorporateWhore]

Yeah, I had some great times at the Embassy as well. It was a place that managed to get a nice cross-section of different people, yet somehow minimized the d-bags.

The Night Gallery and Underground where always on the stop as well.

[Calgarian]

Originally Posted by CorporateWhore

Yeah, I had some great times at the Embassy as well. It was a place that managed to get a nice cross-section of different people, yet somehow minimized the d-bags.

Kind of like the Hi-Fi does today.

[Lookingforasong]

I've been racking my brain for years now... at the Rebublik there was an alternative dance song that sounded German that had only a few lyrics like "dee sa coo shay.... das das das das."

If anybody remembers dancing to this song please let me know what the heck it was called. It was so good!!!

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Lookingforasong

I've been racking my brain for years now... at the Rebublik there was an alternative dance song that sounded German that had only a few lyrics like "dee sa coo shay.... das das das das."

If anybody remembers dancing to this song please let me know what the heck it was called. It was so good!!!

• Video Link

[speedog]

Originally Posted by artvandelay

The Back Alley!

You mean Denny Andrews American Bar.