The simple truth, gentlemen, is that, knowingly or unknowingly, women prevent us from acting stupid. If you are ever a situation that finds you witnessing (or being one of) two blowhards debate Gretzky’s legacy, or lack thereof had he played in the NHL of today, it’s all-but guaranteed there’s a lack of feminine energy in the environment. Which is to say, girls like hockey, too, but they’re typically not idiots about it. Why not be sensible, guys, and head for a place where co-ed fun abounds? Here are a few surefire nights in Calgary with female followings.
Punk Rock Bingo/Wingo
A contemporary Cowtown nightlife institution, Punk Rock Bingo (or Wingo) draws a mixed crowd of some of the city’s most congenial bar folk. It’s undergone several incarnations and moved around town a few times over the last decade (before settling at Ship and Anchor and Broken City, Tuesday nights), but current hosts Steve B. and Dobber Dave bring the same hilarious enthusiasm that made the original PRB a hit since pretty much year one. Broken City, 613 11 Ave S.W.; Ship and Anchor Pub, 534 17 Ave. S.W.
Klub OMFG/The Fix
The second resurrection of the Republik Nightclub has officially occurred and Friday nights bring out many of the loyal female customers responsible for its renewed success. The music’s pretty good, too. Klub OMFG (a mix of electro, house, dubstep, trance and hip-hop) is a stirring buffet of DJs, spinning in three different rooms simultaneously; The Fix, hosted by C-Sik, Rein, Johnny Rawkit and Lady C, keeps the upper-level of the Republik alive with fresh urban tunes.219 17th Avenue S.W.
Hai Karate
The Smalltown DJs (duo Mike Grimes and Pete Emes) have been playing together in Calgary since the mid-’90s. When they opened the HiFi Club in 2005, a true showcase venue for underground music was born. It’s no surprise the liveliest night of the week at HiFi is usually Grimes and Emes’ Hai Karate (Thursday nights), with Ivan Rankic and local legend DJ Pump rounding out the bill. A new Smalltown DJs’ venue, Commonwealth Bar, is set to open in mere weeks and will likely expand on the pair’s tradition of providing weekly live entertainment, adored by both sexes. 219 10th Avenue S.W.
Dub at the Pub
Calgarians have been suppressing the chilly weather for years now by visiting the Drum & Monkey on Tuesday nights for Dub at the Pub. Veteran hosts DJ High & I and MC Ouda Ouda transform the small pub space into a laid-back Jamaican block party. Combine the pros of solid drink specials and dollar tacos with the presence of a cool female clientele, and the evening offers more than a few reasons to get you off the couch. Drum & Monkey, 1201 1 St. S.W.
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Image courtesy of Juan Felipe Rubio.
