The imposing venue at the back of Macleod Village has been a significant presence in the Calgary music scene for many years, although not always in the same form. The space was formerly home to The Back Alley nightclub from 1991 onward.
From 2013 to 2019, the location was known as the Marquee Beer Market and Stage, a venue more oriented towards concerts. The Back Alley reopened with a vengeance in early 2020, only to be temporarily shuttered by the COVID-19 pandemic. It ultimately closed its doors for good this past spring.
As of October, the space has a new lease on both the building and on life as The Arrowhead. “It’s just time for a change,” said events and concerts director Jamal Ali just before opening night. “The nightlife is just not like how it used to be, once upon a time in Canada.
Special events and concerts seem to be the trend, and that’s where the concept of The Arrowhead originated. The room is going to specialize in special events, concerts, corporate events, corporate parties, weddings … everything and anything event-oriented.”
The Arrowhead will book and promote its own shows, in addition to working with outside promoters and event planners. Future bookings include hard rock bands, rappers, EDM acts, DJs, comedians and burlesque shows. “This is no longer a traditional nightclub,” said Ali. The Arrowhead is designed to be a versatile event space that can serve as a nightclub one night and a wedding hall or theatre the next.
Canadian rock legends Harlequin performed one of the first shows at the venue on October 10, with opening act TORONTO The Legacy, a tribute to the band Toronto featuring former drummer Barry Connors.
Upon entering, attendees are greeted by clean, minimalist decor, high ceilings, and lots of elbow room, even with a packed crowd. The main room has been updated with a brand-new sound system, an LED lighting array and a large video screen behind the stage. A movable set of walls can change the room’s size to suit the needs of a particular event. All in all, it’s a versatile room, and the vibes are very welcoming.
The stage itself is spacious and elevated a few feet above the dance floor, with the venue arranged to provide ample sightlines. Performers can be clearly seen from almost anywhere in the room, even by the vertically-challenged among us. While it’s mostly standing-room, there’s plenty of seating at the bars as well as restaurant-style booths and tables available for reservation.
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The bar offers a selection of reasonably priced bottled and canned drinks and cocktails, and the food menu is a bit more elevated than typical pub grub. Some menu standouts include the chicken spring rolls, which are satisfying without being too hearty, and the grilled cheese sandwich made to order with a refreshingly sweet bacon jam.
When bands play, the sound is clear as a bell: each instrument can be heard distinctly, with none of the sonic muddiness, excessive reverb, or bass one sometimes expects in a cavernous nightclub where DJs are the primary focus and rock bands are an afterthought. For the first rock concert to actually take place at The Arrowhead, the crew was in fine form, with the changeover between the first and second acts happening quickly and smoothly.
While there’s no particular genre focus when it comes to The Arrowhead’s own events, attention is being paid to Canadian acts. On the docket for November is a performance by ‘80s CanRock hitmaker Lee Aaron with support from the Killer Dwarfs. “We can never forget about our Canadian classic rock,” said Ali. “I mean, they’ve done so much for the Canadian music scene back in the ‘80s and ‘90s … So you’re gonna see a lot of Canadian stuff come through our stage.” And it’s not just the touring acts who will light up Arrowhead’s stage.
“You’re gonna see a lot of local stuff,” said Ali. “It’s important for us to support the local community … It is a Calgary venue, made by Calgary, for Calgary.”
Whether you’re a rock-and-roll fan looking for a night out in a big space or an EDM-head hungry for a rave, The Arrowhead just might be the newest place to be.
Check out their events calendar at thearrowheadcalgary.com.
QUICK FACTS
Address: 4630 Macleod Tr. S
Hours: Depends on the event.
Capacity: Up to 800
Food and drink: No beer on tap, but a selection of canned and bottled drinks in addition to cocktails. Food is a modern, fusion-y twist on traditional pub grub and appetizers.
Atmosphere: Classy, but straightforward.
Getting there: The venue has a large parking lot and is a 10-15 minute walk from the 39th Avenue CTrain station.
