Edmonton Nightlife • A Complete Guide

Welcome to Edmonton’s premier nightlife guide.

On this page, you’ll discover the vibrant and varied nightlife scene in Edmonton. You’ll find the perfect venue for you and your preferred night out. Whether you want to go all-out clubbing or if you’d like a more laid back dinner and drinks with a view, we’ve got your covered.

Enjoy!

An Intro to Edmonton

Edmonton, city, capital of Alberta, Canada. It lies along the North Saskatchewan River in the center of the province, 185 miles (300 km) north of Calgary. Transportation has been the cornerstone of the settlement and development of Edmonton. The North Saskatchewan River was a major conduit for the historic fur trade, which established trading posts near what is now Edmonton. The advent in the early 1900s of railways and later of roads, oil and gas pipelines, and an international airport transformed the city into a transportation center known as the “Gateway to the North.” It is the service and supply center for the oil industry as well as the petrochemical center for western Canada.

Edmonton at Night

The North Saskatchewan River and its tributaries that flow into the city dissects the urban landscape with steep ravines. North of the river lies the central business district, with its many high-rise offices and condominium buildings. Two distinctive structures that transformed the skyline in the early 21st century are the 28-story EPCOR Tower and, a short distance away, the low-rise curvilinear steel-and-glass Art Gallery of Alberta. The architecture of the downtown core is not entirely modern, however; the Alberta Legislature Building is notable for its Beaux-Arts style. South of the river, the historic neighborhood of Old Strathcona has retained its 19th-century brick buildings.
The dominant factor in Edmonton’s economy (as in that of Alberta as a whole) has long been the production of oil. Its industrial base includes oil refining (including synthetic fuels) and the production of many other petrochemicals, plastics, and fertilizers. The host of industries and services related to oil and gas production include engineering, equipment manufacturing, transportation, finance, insurance, and accounting. Other services, such as those associated with coal, agriculture, tourism, education, and public administration, are also important. Edmonton has diversified into other areas as well, notably high technology and software development. Oil and gas pipelines radiate from the city, and its international airport, major rail lines, and highways support its role as the wholesale, retail, and distribution center of northwestern Canada.

Edmonton is the location of a number of colleges and universities, including the University of Alberta (1908), the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (1960), and Athabasca University (an “open university” founded in 1970). Among the city’s cultural institutions are the Royal Alberta Museum, the Art Gallery of Alberta, and the Edmonton Valley Zoo. In August is the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival—the oldest, and one of the largest, fringe festivals in North America.

The Nightlife

The Nightlife

Edmonton serves a wide variety of activities that one can enjoy in the night. There are some of the renowned bars, lounges, museums, and dance clubs for partying hard or you could simply enjoy a relaxing conversation with your other half while having a drink. The city has all sort of activities like you can take a beautiful ride, visit the historical places or you can just go to the Café and can enjoy your nightlife with your friends. Keeping in mind the diversity of people coming there. Edmonton is known for its cultural activities. There are other famous activities that you can do and enjoy a lot with like Ukraine Cultural Village, Fort Edmonton Park, West Edmonton Mall and Art Gallery of Alberta. This is why it is loved for its amazing nightlife that it offers to its tourists and locals. You can enjoy the following activities especially music or visit the historical place and museum to delight your tour with the true experience of Edmonton’s culture.

Royal Alberta Museum

Royal Alberta Museum

The Royal Alberta Museum is home to a mix of permanent cultural and natural history exhibits, as well as always-changing temporary installations. Particularly impressive are the fossils from dinosaur and ice age eras, aquaria of native fish, and live insects – including some exotic and enormous species. The museum’s cultural history departments explore aboriginal cultures with artifacts from Blackfoot, Cree, and other First Nations.

Elk Island National Park & Beaver Hills

Elk Island National Park & Beaver Hills

This national park covers a wooded area with lakes and wetlands and is home to all kinds of wildlife, including moose, elk, deer, and beaver. But the main attraction of Elk Island National Park is the large herd of buffalo (bison), which graze over a special enclosure. Anyone driving slowly along the road through the park cannot fail to catch sight of one of these massive shaggy beasts.
The Beaver Hills area was originally the tribal home of the Sarcee Indians. The Cree drove them out, however, hunting beaver and buffalo pelts for the large fur-trading companies. With hunting and settlement, the buffalo were almost wiped out, though some Beaver Hills buffalo are thought to have been captured in 1909 and placed in a reserve of their own. These are the forebears of the animals now living in Elk Island National Park.

West Edmonton Mall

West Edmonton Mall

Canada’s largest shopping center and one of the largest in the world, West Edmonton Mall is a major tourist attraction. In addition to hundreds of shops and restaurants, the facility contains a hotel, movie theaters, a huge water park, ice rink, and much more. In Europa Boulevard many of the shops have European-style fronts and carry the names of international fashion designers. Bourbon Street, a copy of the famous New Orleans Street, is a destination for Creole food and live music. The mall’s Galaxy land is one of the largest covered, indoor amusement parks in the world. There are all kinds of rides including a triple-loop rollercoaster.

Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village

Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village

Established in the 1970s along the Yellowhead Highway, this open-air museum preserves the cultural heritage of the many immigrants from Bukovina and Ukraine, who settled in what is now Alberta in the 1890s. Various historic buildings have been reconstructed on the site, and the pale onion dome of a Ukrainian church is visible from afar. There are many living history elements to explore, including a blacksmith, market, and an old-fashioned general store.

Fort Edmonton Park

Fort Edmonton Park

Another open-air museum, Fort Edmonton Park has old buildings faithfully reconstructed to reflect Edmonton’s historical development. The buildings include a typical 1846 fort belonging to the Hudson’s Bay Company, a street from a pioneer town of 1885, the up-and-coming provincial capital in 1905, as well as buildings from the 1920s. Among the different forms of old transport, visitors can ride a horse-drawn wagon or a steam train. At the John Janzen Nature Centre nearby, beautiful exhibits about local geology and ecology are also there.

Art Gallery of Alberta

Art Gallery of Alberta

A twisting modernist building on Sir Winston Churchill Square, the Art Gallery of Alberta in Edmonton is dedicated to visual arts with an emphasis on Western Canada. The gallery features changing and traveling exhibitions, and maintains an extensive collection of more than 6,000 pieces.

Best Bars in Edmonton

Best Bars in Edmonton

If your idea of nightlife includes go into the bar for drinks and socializing with your besties, then Edmonton is just the best place where you can enjoy your holiday. We’ve located the best bars in Edmonton for hanging out and kicking back in. From long-lived mainstays like Billiard Club to busy places like Metropolitan Billiards Café. We present the top bars in town and offer details about them all.

Bunkers Sports Pub

Bunkers Sports Pub

Bunkers Sports Pub is the place for you. There is always a good reason to come to this Edmonton dive bar because of its attractive night theme and of course because of its delicious food and drinks. Karaoke is offered by the pub every Tuesday and Thursday as well as live music and open mic nights with large cash prizes. Bring the boys to watch the big game, as there are plenty of televisions showing Edmonton Oilers and Eskimos games every season.

Finnagan’s Bar Bisto and Billiards

Finnagan’s Bar Bisto and Billiards

A popular north-east sports bar, Finnagan’s boasts 18 pool tables and a host of TVs showing everything from hockey to American football to cricket. There’s also NTN trivia, darts (an indoor game) and great pub grub (burgers, steaks, pasta, pizza and lots of appetizers). The atmosphere is friendly and fun with good food and drinks specials throughout the week to draw in the crowds. The space itself is divided into two sections. One is family friendly until about 9 or 10 pm.

Druid

Druid

This is the Irish Pub. The bar occupies a place of prominence in the center of the area, and a stone inscribed with runic symbols pays homage to the pub’s name. The alcohol is also there in the bar as well; you’ll find 18 draft beers, 30 malt beers, and a wide array of Irish whiskeys. If you get hungry, hearty pub food is eminently satisfying. Among the offerings are a rich Irish stew and the classic boxty, a delicious potato pancake stuffed with meats, vegetables, and sauce. You’ll also find live music performances, DJs playing favorite tunes, and patrons getting down on the small dance floor.

Black Dog

Black Dog

This establishment touches the line between being an alternative venue and a traditional pub. You’ll find it a great equalizer, welcoming suits and skateboards with equivalent gusto. The three-levels encompass the main floor with its bar, as well as a lower room that is more secluded and a “Woof top Patio,” where patrons can sit and enjoy in the pleasant and open air and look out across the traffic (foot and cars) of Whyte Avenue. Although the place gets crowded, regulars love it all the same. There is also one of the biggest and famous draws is the Saturday afternoon event called “Hair of the Dog,” where vocalists and musicians play for the spectators. Wednesdays are alternative country, and throughout the week, you’ll find other performers, along with DJ-spun tunes. Laid-back and relaxed.

Billiard Club

Billiard Club

If you’re tired of the same old bar routine, standing around, hoping to meet someone new, the Billiards Club is a fun alternative. Shooting pool gives a focus to the evening and lets you hone your skills and your understanding of physics. The venue, located in a refurbished post office, is historical and charming. If you have to wait for a table you can try one of their draft beers, or sample the Billiard Burger or a tasty, internationally-influenced appetizer. You’ll also find TVs, lounges, and video games. Plus, the patio offers you the opportunity to grab a breath of fresh air and look out over Old Strathcona. And who knows, you may meet someone anyway.

Best Restaurants in Edmonton

Best Restaurants in Edmonton

Edmonton is the capital of Canada’s largest beef producing province, Alberta. It follows, then, that the local food scene is filled to the brim with BBQ smoked sandwiches and potato-based soul food. But foodies should expect much more than the typical meat-based dishes: Edmonton chefs step it up on a daily basis. The best restaurants in Edmonton are charming European-style cafes offering delectable takes on traditional foods, classic hotel eateries with a bustling scene and, in true Western Canadian flair, wood-clad eateries overlooking the stunning Rocky Mountains. It turns out, ladies and gentlemen, that eating in Edmonton is one of the very best things to do while in town.

Three Boar

Three Boar

South of the historic High-Level Bridge, this casual dining spot is a meetup for birthdays, first dates and after-work drinks to have with your friends and family. Those craving a locally-inspired dish have found their heaven. Try the peach teriyaki wings alongside a Grandma Gwen cocktail, made with gin and cherry liqueur as these are very delicious.

Corso 32

Corso 32

The ultimate steak in Edmonton can be found at this Italian restaurant, which is one of the city’s fanciest dining hotspots. The restaurants are led by Chef Daniel Costa, all ingredients are locally sourced and all the pastas are made by hand. For a standout experience, try the local Chinook salmon mandorla or share the pasta tasting menu.

Hardware Grill

Hardware Grill

 

With a homey vibe, this comfortable restaurant offers traditional Canadian comfort food with touches of French and Italian classics. Chef Larry Stewart presents a seasonal menu that includes French-Canadian foie gras and a crispy duck leg confit with cherry marmalade. Those seeking a more traditional flavor should opt for the very hearty (and very delicious) pastas.

Café Leva

Café Leva

This European-inspired cafe is a part bakery, part wine bar and all around, above-average coffee house. They offer a wide selection of hot drinks, from the classic espresso to soy and milk-based specialties, in a chill setting overlooking the leafy downtown streets. Their cappuccino is a legendary classic. Pair it with the sumptuous Neapolitan pizza and you’ve got yourself an oh-so-delicious lunch that you won’t soon forget.

Rosso Pizzeria

Rosso Pizzeria

Located in one of Edmonton’s oldest neighborhoods, this organic restaurant offers Italian classics fused with a local flair. All of the Sicilian-inspired pizzas here are cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven, so expect doughy crust made the Italian way. Try the pizza rucola, which is made with organic flour, Parmigiano and amorosa tomatoes and pair it with the kale Caesar salad.

Best Nightclubs in Edmonton

Best Nightclubs in Edmonton

There’s something for everyone after the sun sets in Edmonton, Alberta. You can eat, shop and dance all under one roof at Yeg Dance Club, an essential destination for some of the city’s best nightlife. Following are some of the nightclubs to enjoy a night out:

Yeg Dance Club

Yeg Dance Club

It has won the reputation of being of one of the best dance clubs in the town to enjoy with your friends. The venue and its staff pride themselves on providing an open, unpretentious party environment that hosts awesome weekly and special events with great drink specials. YEG’s resident DJ TNT is known for keeping the dance floor rocking until the early hours with the best RnB and Hip Hop tunes. The club’s central location within the heart of the city’s nightlife district makes it a breeze to get to and a great choice for those of you who might want to check out multiple venues in town. So, whether it’s just another weeknight, a special event/concert, or your very own private party, make sure you check out YEG Dance Club and experience one of Edmonton’s favorite party venues!

Club 9 Ultralounge

Club 9 Ultralounge

Club 9 is a high-end cocktail bar and lounge where you can go for drinks right after work and the party never stops so you don’t have to ever go home. The dance floor is pretty huge and bumps all night long. The moment you enter you know you have arrived at a top end lounge, form the leather VIP area with glass fireplace. To the genuine Gucci and leather booths right down to the ostorige leather chairs and all that slate work gives club 9 a warm and inviting feel just like home. This is no home like you have ever known because the martinis and drink flow freely.

Azucar-Picante Restaurant and Club

Azucar-Picante Restaurant and Club

Azucar’s restaurant features an extensive, hand-crafted menu, complete with all the traditional Latino dishes you could dream of. The large list of appetizers includes fresh ceviche, traditional tamales, mouth-watering quesadillas, and much more. A huge variety of main meals are also available, including delicious tacos, lomo saltado, enchiladas, and pretty much every other famous Mexican/Peruvian dish you could think of. The weekend night events have become a favorite destination for a loyal, fun crowd of people who love great music, getting on the dance floor, and having a genuinely good time. The club also entertains the guest by hosting special events which always feature guest DJs, mixtape giveaways, and much more. Great VIP bottle service is also available for those who like to feel that little bit extra special.

Cook County Saloon

Cook County Saloon

This is the official Cook County Saloon group. Voted Canada’s number one Country night club 11 times, And again this year at the CCMA’s. It is for all of those who admire everything country from the boots to the bull.

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Conclusion

If we sum up, it can be said that Edmonton has various historical places in the city. We went through a brief history of the city along with the details of how it came into being. We also discussed the renowned festivals and events which are held throughout the year in the city.
We then discussed several places to hang out with your friends and family in the night time. Ukraine Cultural Village, Fort Edmonton Park, West Edmonton Mall and Art Gallery of Alberta topped the list.
Coming to the adult nightlife of the city, we established how easy it is to find a good bar to enjoy with your friends or family or a date. Such bars could really offer some great pre-made cocktails for you or you could just ask for a special drink to be served especially for you.
You don’t feel hungry during your tour that is why we also suggested some of the finest restaurants in the Edmonton that offer exotic and delicious food along with your favorite drinks. You can really enjoy the taste of good food along with some great booze. And lastly, we went through a comprehensive list of Nightclubs that offered great music with some delightfully exotic options for drinks and cocktail that will polish your overall experience.
Make sure to check out the above recommendations whenever you visit Edmonton so that you won’t miss the best options.

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