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Flames Central
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Event Planning & Services Venues & Event Spaces Restaurants Canadian (New) Music Venues, Venues & Event Spaces, Canadian (New)
219 8th Ave SWCalgary, AB T2P 1B7
(403) 935-2637
- Hours:
Mon 9 am - 5 pm
Tue-Thu 11 am - 5 pm
Fri 11 am - 2 am
Sat 4 pm - 2 am
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
17 reviews for Flames Central
17 reviews in English
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Review from Joel K.
12/3/2011
I didn't come here to dance.
I didn't come here to drink and bump and grind up on fly honies.
That's not me.
I came here for one reason and one reason only: a marketing networking event with free food. "Free" tends to get me out to these things, and the shoulder rubbing can't hurt.
Anyways, I was wicked impressed. This is a classy looking joint. It's well laid out and there's lots of room to sit, stand and - if you're so inclined - dance.
The food was limited to sliders and appetizers, but what I did have was excellent. The sliders were flavorful and not overly greasy. I had a burger slider and a salmon burger - both were great. Stuffed mushrooms were excellent too (if not a little garlicy), and the shephard's pie bites were delicious.
The sound was good for the band, but I was too busy being awesome to really pay much attention. Sorry, blues-brothers-cover-band.
All in all, if you're going to host an event somewhere in this city, this is certainly not a bad place to do it. -
Review from Nyssa R.
8/28/2011
Not a bad place. Nice layout, very roomy. Way too much staff for the amount of people in there I think. Bartenders and security looked quite bored.
Service was OK. Typical bar. Really nice layout though which makes it a fun place, and not too busy so easy to get a drink. Not a big fan of places that free pour alcohol, because as people get drunker you can see them short pouring like mad if you're still sober enough. It's not bad for like restaurants but for places that are more like bars they should have gun well liquor.
I think it'd be a nice place to catch a game for sure, but wasn't overly impressed with service, crowd (maybe it'd be good on a sports night when the crowd was more laid back people than chachi boys and Snooki wanna-be's), security, or liquor service. Meh. A-OK just like the rating says. -
Review from Cathrine A.
Sechelt, BC
2/11/2012
Went to see Pauly D @ $60.00 a ticket....not a problem with the price. Pauly D should stick to The Jersey Shore because he is horrible as a DJ!!! The patrons at this place are young, rude and low lifish....I witnessed not one, not two, but THREE girl fights!! WTF??? The tall, attractive bartender (long dark wavy hair) poured me 'water' with cranberry juice - 7 drinks and I was as sober as when I arrived....I guarantee you, owner of this bar, you have some staff pocketing drink tabs...come on...two drinks I and I am usually wasted....what a rip off place....filthy bathrooms (women's) and overall, a dive!!!
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Review from Van B.
2/6/2012
I love Flames Central, probably one of my favorite venues to see my favorite DJ's and artists/musicians perform. I love the fact that there are two levels to this place so you can see the action from different levels of awesomeness. This establishment boasts a main bar right when you walk in, a bar on each side the dance floor as well as another man bar on the upper level. There are plenty of booths to hang out at if dancing isn't your thing which is awesome. I love how cool the interior is with the big Calgary flames C on the ceiling. The board screens that go around the dance floor area is a nice touch as well.
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Review from Sabahat N.
Calgary, AB
6/7/2011
Ah Flames Central.
A forewarning: My review of Flames Central might a bit biased, but here we are anyway.
I have never been to Flames Central to watch a game. Its not everyday that you'll find me at a sports bar watching hockey/football/whatever. Unless its the Habs playing and I'm decked out in my Habs shirt, cheering on Price and Kostitsyn. But that doesnt last very long either..
However, I have been to Flames Central for other events. And I LOVE the venue. The first time I went was for a Timeraiser function, and was impressed right off the bat. The space is HUGE, swanky, and super slick. The staff are great, the decor is sexy, and the drinks come fast. The next time I went to Flames Central was for a Halloween party, and there were live DJs, MCs, the works. Thats when I fell in LOVE with Flames Central. The sound system was off the charts, and the layout was PERFECT for live music and dancing. The crowd was perfect, the lighting was perfect, the music was perfect, and the Djs and MCs blew my mind. The party was probably one of the best I had been to in my life, and I know that if it was any other venue, the vibe would not have been so fantastic. Flames Central houses some of the best acts/concerts in town, and I am so glad this place exists.
Also, since it is so close to the C-train, it is extremely convenient to get back home after a night of partying or after celebrating a Flames win. -
Review from Wendy P.
6/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been to Flames Central on a few different occasions throughout my years in Calgary. Hockey games, concerts, pre-drinks for other events... and I must say, I'm pleased.
The layout is wonderful, with the stage at the front, some seating on the sides and the balcony above. Smart thinking turning an old theatre. I've only had appys and drinks here, but the food is good, the drinks are cold and the service is fast, efficient and professional. The placement of the bars is also quite useful. Two on either side of the main floor, one at the back... and having the coat check downstairs and out of the way? Works for me!
Sound-wise, it's far better to see a concert here than at the Saddledome, yet another advantage to the fact that it was a theatre once upon a time. It's a great event space. I'm looking forward to more fun things to attend at Flames Central! -
Review from J P.
Calgary, AB
Place is empty, service was poor but generally a good place to have some beers.
On a hockey game this place is packed, but come here on a summer Friday after work and you will find the atmosphere stale. I rather kick at a place with a little life like the palomino. -
Review from Danelle W.
Calgary, AB
1/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
All in all, Flames Central is a great venue to catch a game. The decor is cool and they have tons of seating of various types throughout, including "suites" on the upper levels. However, if you're having a group on a game night, a reservation is highly recommended.
The food is fairly good - although, the menu is a little small. Typical "bar" fare, for the most part. The service is always awesome. The servers are very attentive and staff are wandering around helping to take empty glasses and finished plates all the time. -
Review from Fred F.
2/16/2010
After grudgingly leaving Joey Tomatoes down the street I came here to watch my Anaheim Ducks take on the Calgary Flames. This place is a converted theater turned sports bar thats awesome.
Sat down and no sooner had we started in on our beers did the friendly bachelor party right next to us insist that we sit with them and have fun.
They really howled when they found out that I was from Orange County and promptly informed me that the Ducks would probably kick the Flames arse-holes.
This place has a screen the size of a movie theater to show the action and the waitresses were great.
A very cool feature was that before the game started they passed out hockey pucks with a Flames players number on it. If your particular player either scored a goal, got in a fight or got a penalty, you got a free beer.
Very fun place with a great crowd, Our new Canadian buddies were awesome and I'll be back soon.
Only downfall is that they currently serve ONLY Molson Canadian on tap while the Olympic games are going. Muddled through anyway and had an excellent time.
Flames won 3-1 and my new chums had a good laugh at my expense. -
Review from Katie C.
Calgary, AB
11/3/2009 1 photo
Flames Central is located in an old converted theatre and it shows. You walk through the main entrance and into the main area and it is majestic. High ceilings and balconies, a wide open space, a huge screen on the dance floor... A visit here is definitely an experience. It has a very classy and contemporary interior which is a bit at odds with the brightly lit, giant fluorescent sign outside.
On game nights, there are lineups out the door. But what I really go for are the shows. There's a lot of seating - it's a big place, and it's nice to have a place to sit down. But the ceilings open over the dance floor, and it gives it the feeling of a wide open space. The stage is big, and it is easy to see from any point in the big theatre. It is conveniently located about a block away from the C-train, so you don't even need to worry about parking.
It is a nice space to occupy. It can fit a lot of people, with the downside being that it takes a lot of people to fill it up (which is not always the case). It is also a bit on the pricey side. But overall, a visit here, whether for a DJ, a show or a game is well worth it. -
Review from Ant L.
Burnaby, BC
5/12/2010 3 photos
It's a great venue for catching a game. Great atmosphere. And how can any other place compete with the gigantic screen?
However, the food kind of sucks. My burger pattie was as dry as a hockey puck. And the wings appy had 6 tiny wings and 1 carrot and 1 celery stick with a price tag of $11.70 (did they drop some on the way to the table?). I would recommend to go have an early dinner somewhere else, and then come and watch the game. -
Review from Christopher W.
Calgary, AB
10/23/2008 1 photo
This is probably the coolest bar in town. It's in an old theatre, right down town on Stephen Ave, and has a touch of elegance to it. The hockey game is on the biggest screen I've ever seen at a bar and there are tvs everywhere with any game you want on. You don't even have to miss a minute, with tvs above the urinals in the mens' room.
You can tell it used to be a theatre; they've kept the balconies and furnished them with sofas and tables. It's not cheap but it is a cool place to check out sometime. They also offer Flames ticket packages with dinner included.
I've heard it gets busy on weekends and that some players go there after the game.... -
Review from C T.
Calgary, AB
3/25/2010
Had an office function there. The food was not too bad. I must say it has improved a lot since I last ate in the restaurant when it first opened.
When you first get to the restaurant, get accustomed to the darkness and the redness. It took me a few minutes to get used to the dim light in there. The only bright lights are the TV screens and huge jumbotrons.
Love my virgin Caesar! Spicy and tasty. -
Review from Moez T.
Calgary, AB
11/27/2009
Being an avid Oilers fan, visiting Flames Central for the first time wasn't high on my "must visit" list. But, living in Calgary, buying my first home here, and discovering years ago that Calgary is where I want to raise a family, the visit was inevitable.
Let me tell you, I am glad I went. Looking past the Calgary Flames overload, Flames Central is an awesome sportsbar in it's own right. The massive 30 foot HD projection screen makes my 100 inch HD projection screen look sad. And watching a game on the equivalent of a movie screen is nothing short of awesome.
On our first visit and the few visits since, the food was always really good. Flames Central isn't your typical sportsbar there, as the food they offer is equivalent to earls or Moxies. The service we received was always pretty good, even during very busy nights. It's not perfect, but most places fall apart when busy, so it's not a surprise. If you're looking for somewhere to watch the game, definitely try out Flames Central. If it's a PPV night though, go early! -
Review from Chad W.
Calgary, AB
11/21/2008 1 photo
Now, let's get something straight: I'm not into hockey. I think it's totally lame. Sure, you might hate me for saying so, but I don't go to Flames Central because of hockey or a love for the Calgary Flames. I go there for one reason: this is probably one of the best live music venues in the city.
Flames Central offers a beautiful stage surrounded by a dancefloor, slick tables, comfortable chairs, and a second floor that provides patrons with a sweet vantage point to check out the action on stage.
Drinks are pricey and the crowd is usually more subdued than in other clubs, but Flames Central brings in some of the best acts from all over North America to rock the block for an evening.
I love Flames Central.
Soon, I hope to be the one on its stage. -
Review from gordon m.
Calgary, AB
1/27/2009
If you've ever walked past Flames Central and thought "that's a bit tacky", I wonder what it looks like on the inside... well just you wait.
I'm not a big hockey fan. I can appreciate this would be a fun venue for watching games. And the venue helped fill a void for medium sized venues since the original Republik shut down.
But did they have to stick a Calgary Flames logo on EVERYTHING? Did they have to put a big red C in the middle of the ceiling? There's displaying sports paraphernalia, and then there's bat-shit-crazy plastering of a corporate logo EVERYWHERE.
Do bands know they'll have a bright red flaming "C" projected on them while they're playing? They have rider contracts to avoid far less humiliating scenarios, so I'm sure the possibility of this happening hadn't occurred to them yet.
Aesthetics aside, its a decent venue to enjoy a show. Drinks are a bit pricey but no more than you'd expect.
Most seats have an excellent view of the stage, but if you can't claim a seat (by sending in someone in early to claim territory) then you'll probably have a hard time finding a decent viewing location, unless you position yourself close to the stage with the standing/dancing audience.
The venue would benefit from projecting a video of the performance above that stage, due to visibility issues with non-seated locations. But it's small enough that not having a video screen is certainly understandable. Bigger venues have done fine without them.
I find the biggest feature of Flames Central is its location, you can walk there after work and enjoy some drinks until your show starts.
And they DO get decent acts. -
Review from Air F.
Calgary, AB
12/14/2009
I'm sorry for what I will say next. After trying the yam fries and dipping them in the three diff. sauce. We had terrible stomach pangs and worse which I can't even write down. The service was the worse I have ever experience. As paying patrons coming to Central for the first time we were brush off and ignored. It is the first and last time we will go back unless it is converted back to the great theatre it once was.
