The night character of your city

[kool maudit]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

More tired cliches than should really be allowed in any single post.

your post exceeds mine on several levels, that one included. you may be an oldtimer, but try a little bit at least, fuck.

i wrote about things that happened and that i saw happen. you just employed a device. but i'm sure your next thread will be like 6 pages in the end because you're such an unconventional, idiosyncratic, "out of the box thinker." or maybe it won't. whatever.

anyway, yes, vancouver is weird. unjoinable worlds. heroin and, like, having a really good mountain bike with the best manitou forks don't go together. there's no comfy, half-sleazy middle like in toronto and montreal. calgary sounds awful. halifax is rednecky and wild and a lot of people who see themselves in vastly disparate ways share space sometimes. i kind of like it.

[vid]

Smaller cities are always like that though. A lot of bars in Thunder Bay have a bizarre combination of at least one example of every kind of person there is here. Cities like Halifax and Thunder Bay simply don't have the population necessary to have a wide variety of bars that appeal to very specific clientele.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by vid

Cities like Halifax and Thunder Bay simply don't have the population necessary to have a wide variety of bars that appeal to very specific clientele.

I don't think this is very true in Halifax. There are dozens of downtown bars and most of them feature a particular theme. Some are generic dive bars or cheap clubs but then you have places that might have some particular type of live music (e.g. blues bar), a wine or martini bar, actual gay places like Menz Bar or the Company House, the pub type places like the Triangle (probably by far the biggest category), etc. They don't remind me at all of the sort of places you see in smaller towns and cities where you get old guys sitting around playing Keno during the day and then a mixed crowd at night.

Halifax's nightlife scene is markedly smaller than, say, Montreal's, but it's pretty big and varied as far as Canada goes. Part of the reason for that is probably that people in Halifax go out a lot and part of it is that the city attracts a lot of visitors from around the regional and abroad. It's the "big city" of the Maritimes and a major port town.

[MonkeyRonin]

What I was going to say: sweaty, sticky, blanketing warmth; hazy light filtering through soaring trees; ethereal light emitting out of rambling old houses; the din of patios & parties; a weed aroma wafting through the air; mysterious, beckoning ravines; skyscrapers & lights pulsing overhead in the distance.

But then I saw that this was more about characteristics of nightlife than the city itself. In which case, I dunno, I'm not really perceptive enough to pick out how people differ between cities. But for me anyway, as far as stuff goes, I guess warehouse parties; divey-but-not-quite-cool clubs; raves in the park; doobies on rooftops; sunrise bus odysseys.

(this is all for Summer Toronto of course, Winter Toronto is a different city)

[kool maudit]

toronto can be very dreamy. you wouldn't think, but it is. gables in the druggy morning, flickering at 12 frames per second through the window of a turquoise and orange beck taxi. in that light, and in that state, it is like this ghostly lovechild of amsterdam and cleveland. i really do like toronto.

[kool maudit]

Originally Posted by MTLskyline

I would say the most riff-raffy people in Montreal at night are those with Ontario plates (no offense meant). Douchey-types from Ontario are really attracted to Crescent Street. (I'm talking about the single earring wearing fauxhawk types with the manicured eyebrows) Montreal's got its fair share of those too, but it seems the ones from Ontario are more aggressive. They seem to love Infiniti coupes.

oh i don't know. i feel like we're canada's douche capital. st. leo and ahuntsic alone...


me and my girlfriend have this thing where when we see a white belt or pointy shoes, we just wink and say "514." then it became "five one."

now we play with it, and when a portugal soccer fan of this type passes us we say something like "there are five hundred and fourteen reasons why he thinks those jeans are awesome."

it's subtle. montreal meds, though...

[Copes]

Originally Posted by Ayreonaut

St. John's I would sort of break into two scenes. There's George Street, which is way too young for me (and I just turned 23!), and feels like high school. Loud music, vomit everywhere, girls wearing miniskirts in December flaked out on the sidewalks. George Street really isn't for me (though Yellowbelly/Underbelly is pretty classy, and has the best beer). It seems that Duckworth and Water are more mature, and are definitely more for me.

I would agree that Duckworth and Water are more mature, however I have to disagree with your characterization of George Street as a whole. I'm 22 (23 in July) and I'm largely moving in the direction you are. Girls stumbling all over the place, dudes vomiting in the corner, and being in a place that you're sweating like a donkey as you grind a random are no longer for me. That being said, I feel like there are far more classy bars on George than there are bars like Lotties, Trapper John's, Rob Roys or Konfusion. Try checking out O'Reiley's or Bridie Molloys when they have live bands. The Brimstone and Greensleeves are also nice spots. Even the Rockhouse can have a few decent bands every now and again if the live music at the pubs isn't for you.

But yeah, I've moved away from the Lottie's scene myself. I've yet to feel like I can't be on George Street though. If anything, the walk between pubs is simply more entertaining when you're laughing at the first-year students instead of joining them.

[The_Architect]

Originally Posted by kool maudit

oh i don't know. i feel like we're canada's douche capital. st. leo and ahuntsic alone...

Have you not been to Mississauga? Lucky.

[Kilgore Trout]

night in hong kong: hot, sweaty, noisy, bright with neon. cheap beers from 7-11 to accompany you while you walk. too many bars to count, most of them not very good. private parties and people with more money than you. boozy art openings spilling into the street. middle-aged white men with filipino hookers. drinking in back-alley bars haunted by cats. if you're feeling really self-destructive, 75 cent triple shots of indian whisky with nigerians at a nepalese bar. heading home at 5am on an angry red minibus driving too fast.

[MolsonExport]

^sounds a bit like Shanghai nights, but without the Nigerians.

[harls]

Originally Posted by MTLskyline

I would say the most riff-raffy people in Montreal at night are those with Ontario plates (no offense meant). Douchey-types from Ontario are really attracted to Crescent Street. (I'm talking about the single earring wearing fauxhawk types with the manicured eyebrows) Montreal's got its fair share of those too, but it seems the ones from Ontario are more aggressive. They seem to love Infiniti coupes.

That Quality Inn on Crescent has a discount rate if you wear Abercrombie & Fitch and are in a group of 5 or more men for one single bed room. Bonus rebates are applied if you have a Massachusetts plate on your dad's car.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by Doug

-outdoors oriented meaning that lots of people come in early so they can leave early for a round of golf or an early start to a weekend in mountains

This. Also, there's the "sleep cycle" factor:

If you are accustomed to always getting up at 6am, then waking up early on Sunday to hit the slopes for lift opening is a breeze. Same with hiking/kayaking/etc - you'd be an idiot to start a decent hike at 2pm unless it's the height of summer. And you'd be a complete moron to try to leave work at 6pm, get home, pack, make it to Banff, and try to get a campsite in the middle of July.

I find that a lot of younger folks (early-mid 20s) come to Calgary, and try to do the nightlife. They generally make it to work at 9 or even 10, and leave at 6 or 7. Then on Friday they wanna party, LATE. Because they worked into the evening. Saturday morning, sleep in. Then Sunday comes, and they feel like complete crap trying to wake up at 6am. But over time, they start to enjoy the outdoor life far more than the clubs/pubs. And they adjust their schedules accordingly - start waking up earlier every day, so that the weekend is a breeze.

When you leave work at 4, you can get the campsite. And when you wake up at 6, you get the fresh powder. It's as simple as that.

Obviously this doesn't apply to everyone, but it's a pattern I see repeated time and again. And as a result (plus the fact that freaking EVERYONE in Calgary has kids in their 20s/early 30s), our clubs have a much more age-limited demographic than many cities I've been to.

Part of it is the workaholic stereotype for sure, but a larger part in my experience is that there's just so much more to do than booze it up every weekend for 10 years straight. The people working crazy workaholic hours are in the minority - we're not getting up early and avoiding the bars because we work 12 hours a day, it's because we have a lot of other activities that revolve around waking up early.

And then Stampede happens, and everyone completely forgets about the outdoors and drinks as much as their liver can handle.

[Ayreonaut]

Originally Posted by Copes

I would agree that Duckworth and Water are more mature, however I have to disagree with your characterization of George Street as a whole. I'm 22 (23 in July) and I'm largely moving in the direction you are. Girls stumbling all over the place, dudes vomiting in the corner, and being in a place that you're sweating like a donkey as you grind a random are no longer for me. That being said, I feel like there are far more classy bars on George than there are bars like Lotties, Trapper John's, Rob Roys or Konfusion. Try checking out O'Reiley's or Bridie Molloys when they have live bands. The Brimstone and Greensleeves are also nice spots. Even the Rockhouse can have a few decent bands every now and again if the live music at the pubs isn't for you.

But yeah, I've moved away from the Lottie's scene myself. I've yet to feel like I can't be on George Street though. If anything, the walk between pubs is simply more entertaining when you're laughing at the first-year students instead of joining them.

I agree that those bars don't really fit what I said earlier about George Street (and I don't mind going to them), but they are still all very loud for the most part, which I don't usually enjoy. I guess the Ship is loud too, but places like the Grapevine, Underbelly, or Franklin Hotel are more what I like (and any would be a decent place for SSPers to grab some drinks ). That said, most of my friends tend to enjoy the Ship, Brimstone, or Christian's (one friend works there, and the bartender upstairs (Mike?) is entertaining as hell), so I usually end up in those places anyway.

And yeah, I'll steer clear of Lotties and the like if I have any say whatsoever.

[Copes]

Originally Posted by Ayreonaut

I agree that those bars don't really fit what I said earlier about George Street (and I don't mind going to them), but they are still all very loud for the most part, which I don't usually enjoy. I guess the Ship is loud too, but places like the Grapevine, Underbelly, or Franklin Hotel are more what I like (and any would be a decent place for SSPers to grab some drinks ). That said, most of my friends tend to enjoy the Ship, Brimstone, or Christian's (one friend works there, and the bartender upstairs (Mike?) is entertaining as hell), so I usually end up in those places anyway.

And yeah, I'll steer clear of Lotties and the like if I have any say whatsoever.

I hear ya. The noise is undoubtedly the style. The whole live-music / pub scene is my favorite, however its not very welcoming of a relaxing conversation. Christian's is another great one. Aside from their spectacular screech-ins, they do have a very enjoyable atmosphere.

In terms of the three you mentioned on Water, I honestly can't say I've ventured down to that side of Water street on any nights out. Nautical Nellie's once, but I wasn't a fan. Going to have to try and rally the gents and see if anyone wants to be a bit adventurous and check out a new spot. I certainly have no opposition to anywhere off George, it just seems that George is always where people want to go.

[kw5150]

Night life in any city is good.

Calgary:

I love what happens to Stephen Ave downtown Calgary at night. Many of the patios play music onto the street and lots of them are starting to design walls that open completely onto the strip. I'm craving a good night out soon. The patio on Stephen Ave are packed on any nice night any day of the week. All Stephen ave needs is some lanterns in the trees or something cool like that.

Edmonton:

White ave! Downtown is starting to be fun place to club it up a bit as well. Lanterns in trees please!!

Vancouver:

Great place to just hit the streets and walk n' club as well. Such a nice climate on the summer nights. Lots of rooftops, lots of people having parties in condos. Palm trees, banana plants.........Ahhhhhhh......vancouver

[patm]

Originally Posted by kw5150

Night life in any city is good.

Calgary:

I love what happens to Stephen Ave downtown Calgary at night. Many of the patios play music onto the street and lots of them are starting to design walls that open completely onto the strip. I'm craving a good night out soon. The patio on Stephen Ave are packed on any nice night any day of the week. All Stephen ave needs is some lanterns in the trees or something cool like that.

This is where I'm torn.

On the one hand Stephen Ave is great for the older crowd but for the younger crowd, outside of West, The Bank and concerts at Flames Central, it's dead after one. If you opened another club there that didn't position itself as "classy" (something like Commonwealth or Rihno) and then some how got an afterhours club I think it would become an amazing destination for night life in Calgary.

[kw5150]

Originally Posted by patm

This is where I'm torn.

On the one hand Stephen Ave is great for the older crowd but for the younger crowd, outside of West, The Bank and concerts at Flames Central, it's dead after one. If you opened another club there that didn't position itself as "classy" (something like Commonwealth or Rihno) and then some how got an afterhours club I think it would become an amazing destination for night life in Calgary.

Exactly Cheers to all the 25 to 40's out there who get their drink on in a great setting.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by patm

This is where I'm torn.

On the one hand Stephen Ave is great for the older crowd but for the younger crowd, outside of West, The Bank and concerts at Flames Central, it's dead after one. If you opened another club there that didn't position itself as "classy" (something like Commonwealth or Rihno) and then some how got an afterhours club I think it would become an amazing destination for night life in Calgary.

What about the Unicorn Pub? Original Joe's?

[patm]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

What about the Unicorn Pub? Original Joe's?

Those are an older/more subdued crowd (only been to Unicorn before 10 though). Basically if you want to dance with chicks on Stephen Avenue you have to go to either Bank or West.

[Ayreonaut]

The Unicorn is where Mr. Jersey Shore showed up a couple weeks ago buying everyone everything. He was exactly the kind of guy I try to avoid. It was great until then.

I think 8th Ave is great because it's for an older crowd, not in spite of the fact.

I've never had the urge to just go dance with random girls (really terrible time IMO), which is probably why I like it so much.