It takes a professional partier to enjoy Calgary’s nightlife on a budget. Luckily, The Scene is home to some pro-level cheapskates who still like to live the night up.
On this edition, we teach you how to start the night right with these late-night eats, sips, and happy hours that don’t break the bank.
Welcome to the cheapskates guide to nightlife!
Late-Night Eats & Drinks
Last Best Brewing & Distilling
With its central location on what used to be Electric Avenue and plush interior, Last Best is a great spot to start or end your night. Split a $15 pizza (the pepperoni with hot honey is my favourite) or some wings and wash it down with a $6.50 glass of Tokyo Drift or any of LB’s other tasty beverages during their late-night happy hour.
Monday to Thursday from 9 p.m. to close, Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., 607 11 Ave. S.W., lastbestbrewing.com
Ship & Anchor
You saw this one coming. The Ship & Anchor is Calgary’s melting pot and the perfect spot for pre-gaming or afters. The Late Night Snacks menu only goes into effect after 9 p.m. and includes ginger chicken wings, spicy Hawaiian pizza, and even a poutine hot dog. Grab a Ship Boat to complete the savings: pick five of any can or bottle and save $5 on the total price!
Open until 2 a.m. any night of the week, 534 17 Ave. S.W., shipandanchor.com
Blowers & Grafton (Mission)
Got a hankering for donair, pizza, or garlic fingers at a low price? Blowers & Grafton has been bringing a taste of Nova Scotia to Calgary since 2017, and their late-night “Hali hour” is to die for. Their Grafton Street lager is only five bucks, and their $10.95 eight-inch pepperoni pizza is perfect for soaking up a night of drinking… not that I know from personal experience or anything.
9 p.m. to close every day of the week, 2120 4th St. S.W., blowersgrafton.com
Tubby’s
It warms my heart that the neon spirit of Tubby Dog still lives on through ridiculous hot dogs served late. Tubby’s may be “just a bar” these days, but you can still grab a Tubby Dog or (my personal favourite) an A-Bomb piled high with crushed chips and bacon for only $7 (add a buck if you wanna take it to go). However, with the impressive cocktail and craft beer selection on deck, it’s hard not to make a night of it.
Kitchen open until 10 p.m. on weekdays and 12 a.m. on weekends, 100A, 1210 8 St. S.W., tubbybar.com
Cold Garden
Long after most craft breweries in town have closed, Cold Garden keeps the party going in Inglewood. The (dog-friendly) taproom and patio are open until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and massive 20-oz pints go for only seven bucks! I would like to grab the Pool Party Blonde and a cheap bag of chips here before heading to the nearby Inglewood 9th Ave strip to party further on a budget.
Open until 1 a.m. on weekends and midnight all other days, 1100 11 St. S.E., coldgarden.ca
Central Taps + Food
The aptly named “Power Hour” is when the night heats up at Central. From 10 until 11 p.m, highballs and OG Shaft on Draft are only five bucks, while plates of sushi rolls and cheeseburger sliders drop down to a wicked price. Located in the new-ish District at Beltline area, Central makes a great leaping-off point for a night of shenanigans.
10 p.m to 11 p.m. every day, 224 12 Ave. S.W., centralrestaurants.ca
Shawarma-Licious
You can’t go wrong with shawarma, right? Shawarma-Licious is stumbling distance from some of Calgary’s haunts, like Pinbar or the Ship, and it’s open until 4 a.m. on weekends. Nothing pre-games a quiet ride home in an Uber like a spicy chicken wrap with falafel and sweet sauce. The pricing isn’t half bad either because you’ll likely have leftovers for the hangover.
Open until 3 a.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 502 17 Ave. S.W., 403 283 0309
Hayden Block
I’d be remiss if I didn’t shout out Hayden Block. Yes, the barbecue is smoked for 10-to-14 hours, and dozens of whiskeys are poured daily… but the real draw for us cheapskates lies in the evening. From 10 p.m. until closing, you can grab pulled pork, sausage, and other meats at Hayden Block for half price while supplies last. In my experience, they don’t last long, so head to Kensington and start the night with some brisket drizzled in that sumptuous espresso sauce!
Any day after 10 p.m., 1136 Kensington Rd. N.W., haydenblockyyc.com
[Correction: The print version of this story included a suggestion to visit Cibo on 17th. That restaurant is closed and has been removed from the story.]
