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Aurora

110 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1C8 · 403-760-5300

User Rating:  Rating: 4 / 5   (Rate It)

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Expansive and hip, this dance club offers a wealth of activities within its cerulean blue walls. The basement-level establishment offers 4 bars (plus a shooters bar), a cigar and martini lounge, dance floor, pool tables, and a big-screen TV. Its upscale ambience welcomes a late-night clientele, who come either to dance the night away or to relax in the lounge with a Cuban cigar. On certain nights, you'll also find attention diverted to onscreen football games or to off-track betting. As the largest nightclub in town, Aurora is well-equipped to handle large crowds and to meet a variety of after-hours needs.

Drake

909 Railway Ave, Canmore, AB · 403-678-5131

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Music: Varies
Dress: CC: Casual
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Along with its near-legendary weekday happy hour (Mon-Fri 4pm-7pm), The Drake wins big kudos for booking live entertainment every weekend (from bands to hypnotists) and for having a friendly, fun atmosphere. Its status as a local favorite is bolstered by numerous "Best Pub" awards, bestowed by publications such as Skier Magazine and the Pub Lovers Guide. This is a fine pub, with all the accoutrements: 18 draft beers, 2 heated patios, 14 satellite TVs, and awesome pub grub. Owner Stan Walker, a former high school principal, has fashioned a winner!

Elk & Oarsman

119 Banff Ave, Banff, AB · 403-762-4616

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Music: Rock
Dress: CC: Casual
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The Elk and Oarsman's crowning glory is a rooftop terrace, the highest in town, with 360° views of the surrounding mountains. It's a fabulous spot for a meal of tasty and substantial pub fare, washed down with a cold local microbrew. A classic mountain pub atmosphere inside (lots of wood, a stone fireplace, old winter sports equipment and vintage photos on the walls) is augmented by big windows that nicely frame the mountain scenery. For sports fans there are several LCD televisions, tuned to whatever the big game of the moment happens to be.

HooDoo Lounge

137 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A6 · 403-760-8636

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Cover Charge: $$1 - $15
Music: Hip-Hop
Rock
Top 40
Dress: C, TC: Casual
T: Trendy
Food Served:

The HooDoo Lounge, sister of the hip Aurora nightclub, is every bit as happening. The club has a roster of popular resident DJs and brings in additional talent from all over Canada – music ranges from hip-hop to rock and pop. Theme nights and drink specials really pack in the crowds, and the vibe is young energetic. If you're looking for a place to let your hair down and party late into the night, the HooDoo is ideal.

Magpie & Stump

203 Caribou St, Banff, AB T0L 0C0 · 403-762-4067

User Rating:  Rating: 4 / 5   (Rate It)

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Dress: CC: Casual
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Sheathed in rough-hewn wood inside and out, this place is dim and kitschy, as evidenced by the neon beer signs, gaudy sombreros, and mounted animal heads. Still, it's a local favorite and offers any Mexican dish imaginable, from burritos to quesadillas and fajitas. During the day, it has a high turnover, so it's not hard to get a table. In the evenings, patrons come to hang out at the bar, drink and socialize, so things don't move quite as fast. On occasion, live music fills the space, and it's usually rockabilly or blues. Day and night, the Stump is lively and fun. Plus, they serve food until they close, so if you get the munchies late at night, this is the place to go.

Pump and Tap Tavern

215 Banff Ave, Sundance Mall, Banff, AB T0L 0C0 · 403-760-6610

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Dress: CC: Casual
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Somewhat hidden in the Sundance Mall, this compact, low-ceilinged pub is a favorite local hangout. During the afternoon and after work, townspeople head over for a beer or to shoot a few rounds of pool. They also partake of hearty British comfort food, which satisfies hungry workday appetites. Daily drink specials bring similar pleasure to the pocketbook and to the soul. Visitors are welcome to stop by; just don't be put off by the short-lived sizing-up you'll get at first. Order a brew and relax the mountain way. You'll fit in without too much trouble.

Rose & Crown

202 Banff Ave, above Aardvark's Pizza & Sub, Banff, AB T1L 1B5 · 403-762-2121

User Rating:  Rating: 4 / 5   (Rate It)

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Cover Charge: $$1 - $15
Music: Blues
Jazz
Piano
Rock
Dress: C, TC: Casual
T: Trendy
Food Served:

Traditional pub decor, including dark woodwork, pale yellow walls, and an abundance of memorabilia, animates this expansive space. The neighborhood hangout takes care of those who crave pub food and those who want to nurse a pint and while away a few hours. Along with TVs and pool tables, you'll find a full-service rooftop patio with incredible views and a fireplace surrounded by leather chairs. Live bands frequently play, and the music ranges from reggae to rock and blues. Showtime is generally 10pm. A piano even resides in one corner of the space, available for spontaneous merry-making and group sing-a-longs.

St James's Gate Olde Irish Pub

205 Wolf St, Banff, AB T1L 1C2 · 403-762-9355

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Dress: CC: Casual
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Old World pub style dominates this place, which runs rife with posters, photos and memorabilia. Dark woods and etched glass dividers contribute further to the theme, and there's charm throughout. Classic pub food satisfies the stomach, and 10 Irish whiskies, 32 draft beers, and 55 scotches do their part to aid digestion. At the huge central bar, fun comes in a glass, and friends gather to spread it around, reminisce, and just hang out. Everyone is welcome, and a mug of Guinness breaks down all barriers. So have a bite to eat, raise a glass, and do your part to make the world a smaller place.

Tommy's Neighbourhood Pub

120 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T0L 0C0 · 403-762-8888

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Dress: CC: Casual
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A neighborhood favorite, Tommy's is a local hangout all day long. Inside, you'll find lots of bare wood and a decor of photographs, vintage model cars and license plates. The bar is the focus, and that's not unintentional. Having a beer here is a time-tested tradition, and cheap drink specials run Sunday to Wednesday, rotating vodka, rum and rye. Food is basic pub fare, heavy on sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads. Ribs, fried fish, quesadillas and shepherd's pie round out the offerings, and daily specials can be found on the blackboard. If you're up for some activity, dart boards are available. If not, a few outside tables let you keep an eye on passers-by.

Wild Bill's Legendary Saloon

201 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1C4 · 403-762-0333

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Music: Varies
Dress: CC: Casual
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Named for one of Banff's early residents and tour guides, this easy-going place is rustic and inviting. Saddles, farm tools and beer signs adorn walls and rafters, and a wagon hangs overhead. The menu is hearty and substantial, featuring burgers, ribs, steaks and Tex-Mex fare. Signature dishes include big steaks, beef, chicken or veggie fajitas, and a burger loaded with bacon, cheese and mushrooms. Several bars serve up libations, and there's a separate games lounge and a large dance floor for evening festivities. Live bands, many of them Canadian, play frequently, and you're likely to hear country, rock, reggae or ska on any given night. Popular with both tourists and locals.

Nightlife

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About 10Best's recommendations for Banff's Best Nightlife:



10Best's editors and local contacts have searched all over Banff for the best places to find yourself once the sun goes down and have decided that these businesses represent the best Banff, Alberta has to offer. Want to relax and unwind in Banff? Let us show you the best places in town to do it!

 

Nightlife

Check out the great nightlife you can find in Banff.

Aurora
A Banff 10Best Bet
Nightlife - Best Nightlife

Read the 10Best Review: Expansive and hip, this dance... More

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