Is Calgary becoming a dead town?

[curves2000]

Is anybody else noticing that Calgary these days really doesn't have much action when going out anymore? I have noticed it more and more lately with everything from bars, restaurants, clubs, movie theaters and even Flames games.

For a city of almost 1.3 million people, the youngest city in the country and a city where the income average is still much higher than others, we seem to be very blah on the entertainment front in terms of business.

Pubs and bars seem fairly slow unless its happy hour or a weekend and than even than not a lot of action later on in the evening (after midnight)

Restaurants are slow, not much action and nothing really exciting and the worse part are that a lot of them are closing earlier now too. Some of my favorite places have started closing their kitchens at like 9:30 pm so that everybody has eaten and left around 11.

I recently went to see a few movies and all 3 times the theaters were dead. Granted this was a weekday and was 9:30 and 10 pm but still?? What got me the last time was the theatre was Chinook, which used to ALWAYS be busy.

I was born in this city but I recall growing up that a lot of the bars were busy, there were a TON of nightclubs where young guys could go and hangout, even on weekdays etc. I'm 33 now and a lot of my friends have been complaining about Calgary being a dead town for a while and I would always defend it but I am starting to see more and more of it. I don't know if the city is just very blah due to the economy, the jobless recovery, the political situation the lack of excitement event wise or what. It just seems that everybody wants to work their shift at work and then go home and watch tv after grocery shopping.

Thoughts?

[Reggie Dunlop]

Thoughts and prayers.

[btimbit]

I personally like when I go to a restaurant and it's completely dead. Hate going somewhere and it's way too loud

[1qqaaz]

Calgary is more of a family-friendly city. We have the largest zoo, museum, municipal ski hill, shopping malls, science centre, theme park, and parks in all of Western Canada.
Does Calgary have as many night clubs, music festivals, or concerts as Vancouver? No, but those things are just a small part of the dynamic of a city.

[curves2000]

Opps!! I just noticed I posted this in the wrong forum!! Should have been off topic.

Mods, can you please move the thread?

[Buff]

Not every place can be like Las Vegas or New York.

[dino7c]

You are getting old...what young people do now is different then when you were in your early 20s

[ST20]

City planning doesn't help. Everything is so spread out and they don't give people much of a reason to go downtown on weekends.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by dino7c

You are getting old...what young people do now is different then when you were in your early 20s

Hmm, interesting observation. What are they doing? My early 20s were working my ass off at an junior level professional position, mixed in with binge drinking at the bars/clubs all weekend (not in CGY, but Toronto mind you).

[shogged]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

Hmm, interesting observation. What are they doing? My early 20s were working my ass off at an junior level professional position, mixed in with binge drinking at the bars/clubs all weekend (not in CGY, but Toronto mind you).

The same things, but at different places than the late 20s to early 30s crowds

[Finger Cookin]

This is because of the Flames not acquiring a long term starting goalie.

Oh wait, that's hockey talk.

It's probably always been like this in Calgary and you're noticing it more because you're getting older.

[SportsJunky]

This man needs some action!

[GranteedEV]

National is becoming the Starbucks of nightlife in Calgary.

[OutOfTheCube]

I'd let you know, if I ever went out anymore...

[Shin Pad]

I didn't like the crowded bars and clubs when I was in my 20s, and I certainly avoid such places these days. Now - a big night out is going out for diner and a drink (one) and be back home at 7:30 pm - Good times

[topfiverecords]

Hexagon was absolutely packed and hopping last night.

[Classic_Sniper]

You’re not wrong OP. But the same can be said everywhere. Just google it and you’ll hear people complaining all the time and even in bigger cities than Calgary.

Nightclubs are dying out real fast right now. I remember 5-6 years ago when it was a party zone every weekend. Calgary is ultimately a family oriented city and when you hit a certain age, you go out less and you get home early.

The younger generation just isn’t as big into the nightlife as previous generations and they aren’t picking up the slack. They’ve gone elsewhere and with tinder ans netflix, you just don’t need to play the “game” the same way anymore.

[Geeoff]

Kids are at home playing video games and dating on Tinder instead of going to the club

[tripin_billie]

The problem with Calgary, in comparison to Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, New York, DC, Philly, Boston, and any other older city is that in all of those cities, there is effecient public transportation and the cities themselves are very walkable with neighborhoods typically having walkable amenities. Calgary is a hellscape of planned communities that are spread over way too much area. Driving to go out is a complete bummer. In my neighborhood (in DC), I can walk to 5 or more different hotspot areas that are full of nightlife. It's just easier when you can walk.

[curves2000]

Just in case anybody thinks I am comparing Calgary to Las Vegas, NY, Toronto or London, that's not what I mean. In my recent travels to Edmonton for a variety of events, I have found Edmonton to have a LOT more action around town.

Even a few restaurants that I visit have taken a few hours off their business hours, they used to be open till 11:30 or midnight 6 days a week for late business, which they always had and I know since we're friends with the owners and I worked there. Now? The order needs to be placed prior to 9:30 pm, even on a Saturday!!! Previously they would keep the kitchen open till 11:45 pm. This is a well known and established steakhouse downtown by the way.

I just remember even a few years ago that this wasn't the case, there was action around town and at events both indoor and outdoor. Even Calgary Flames games, an event that USED to be difficult to get tickets to, isn't anymore. A lot of people can't be bothered.


Just my opinion I guess