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Ironwood Stage & Grill
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Nightlife Bars Music Venues, Bars [Edit]
1429 9 Ave SECalgary, AB T2G 0S9
(403) 269-5581
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
11 reviews for Ironwood Stage & Grill
11 reviews in English
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Review from Philippe G.
Calgary, AB
7/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
The new (for me) Ironwood deserves a 5 star. The sound is perfect, the hall setup is classic and the booze is cheap.
Service was great for us, ate some appetizers and went onto the show.
Eventually shut the place down with the band and loved every second of it. -
Review from Cory R.
Calgary, AB
11/14/2011
I suppose, you, the reader of this will have to confirm or deny for youself the truth about Ironwood.
People on here are saying things like "its cheap booze" and "been loving it for years" and " the sound was perfect" etc..
Well.... in my "opinion" then, The Ironwood is expensive. $12 cover and $6+ beers. I guess its cheap if youre a lawyer hahah.
The Ironwood has only been there for a couple years, max. Sorry dude, you didnt haunt it when you were in college ok because it wasnt there. It was still the old runned down garry theatre up until recently.
I found the service to be average. The music, while subjective, I thought wasnt any good at all. We paid this cover charge to see a BAND, and it was just 3 guys with like a banjo, and 2 acoustic guitars. It went on and on and on. I periodically check to see whos playing at the Ironwood, and its ALWAYS an unremarkable no-name "blue-grass fusion" group, or a folk trio from saskatoon, with alleged lyrics and esoteric meanings that are so intense you MUST be sophisticated if you are a fan. LOL whata joke.
Its a shame really, that the Ironwood is so aweful. Its in a neat historic building, the stage is located well, and the bar and seating all make sense and are laid out well. Also its on the fringe of downtown.
Whatever image or genre they are trying to appeal to is not working, for this reviewer at least. -
Review from Chris S.
Calgary, AB
8/30/2011
I came here during the Calgary Fringe Festival and after the service I got I am not sure I want to go back.
Waited 90 minutes and still my food did not come and finally I just paid the drinks bill and left. Very annoying. Every 20 min I would ask for an update (we had a play to see and we missed it!) and every time I was told 5-10 min tops. Well never got a chance to eat the food. I was furious.
I'm going to maybe give it one more chance as the atmosphere was nice and it may have been just a really bad night when I had came. Many of the Inglewood businesses do not allocate extra staff for Fringe and usually service is pretty bad everywhere those weeks.
To the owners; I expected more from you. If you are having trouble with the kitchen staff just have your servers tell the customers. I would have not been upset if there was communication. -
Review from Angela M.
Calgary, AB
5/20/2011
Certainly, one of the best salads I've ever had.
Freshly made apple cider vinaigrette, which was more apple cider puree than anything, drizzled over avocado, fire-grilled chicken breast, strawberries and other veggies on a mound of lettuce.
The service, and thus the experience, was crap.
There's an obvious greeting area when you enter the Ironwood. Except there's no one staffing the desk. It's Friday night, so all the tables in the bar area are reserved.
The front section, all with low tables and a lovely view of the Inglewood denizen walking past on Ninth Avenue, was empty.
But for one couple, who left because they weren't getting served.
We eventually were approached for a drink order and another couple came in. They left because they weren't getting served.
Our drinks and then our meals came in an adequate amount of time.
The server came 'round for one last time about 45 minutes later to ask if there would be anything else. We said no.
We figured she would be back with our bill, but she disappeared. Nowhere to be found, lost among the artsy, more cultured folk who folded into the bowels of the Ironwood.
She finally came back about 15 minutes later, whereupon we showed her the broken wine glass and shiraz all over the floor. Sigh ... me and my Maritime talky hands ...
She registered an 'oh' and then disappeared again.
I asked my companion 'what should we do.'
She replied 'we should just leave.'
The thought crossed my mind but it just isn't something I can do. We struck a deal. We would hang out at the host desk for up to 10 minutes and if she didn't reappear with the bill, we would leave.
She reappeared and exclaimed 'oh, did you want your bill?'
It isn't often I don't tip. I normally will leave at least a couple of bucks but there was no way in hell this server or establishment was making
any more off me than they absolutely could.
The broken wine glass? It was still there when we left.Listed in: Oh hell to the no 1
-
Review from Carrie P.
5/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I went to the CD Release Party for Scott Cook at hte Ironwood Stage and Grill. Admittedly, I have not been in this establishment since it was Loose Moose, so it was a real treat to see what they have done with the place since then.
The sound of the band in this space was unbelievable. They are a good band to begin with, but the acoustics were fantastic.
This is definately a bit more of a rough-and-tumble atmosphere compared to what I am use to. Usually when I go to a pub type atmosphere, it is usually more of an upscale place. However, the ruggedness of the Ironwood Stage and Grill was not a turn-off for me at all. It had a real small-town feel.
What really created my 4 out of 5 rating was the experience of hearing Scott Cook play. He had never sounded better, mostly because of the acoustics in that space, compared to other venues I have heard him perform in. I will not hesitate to go to Ironwood for live music again.
I did not order any food, but we did order drinks and the service was good. No complaints! If I was ever booking a music venue, I would definately consider the Ironwood! -
Review from Bryan H.
Calgary, AB
3/2/2011
I have never seen a better Open Mic Night (Wednesdays) anywhere in the City. The local talent that emerges always astounds me - it is my favourite spot to go in Inglewood, hands down.
The service is always fast and friendly, and the beer's always good. Their new location, while not as "homey," is conducive to music performances.
The food is always good however the menu could use a few updates (it's been the same for quite some time now).
All in all - ALWAYS an excellent night out! -
Review from George D.
Calgary, AB
1/4/2011
I've gotta let people know about this great little place in charming Inglewood. I went here on the eve of New Years Eve and it was just so nice and comfortable. We sat at the bar and got super service from two of the most accomodating young men you'd ever meet.
It was our first visit to the new location and 3rd visit ever to the Ironwood Stage. We ordered beer and an appetizer, broiled Spolumbo's sausage, and it was hot and delicious. The music was pretty good too. Greg Cockerell and his band were playing their final night. Their sound is countryish with a bluesy tinge, maybe even a flavour of Bob Dylan with his harmonica. We bought his CD and even got to chat with Greg himself who is very engaging and modest. Got to like that. Cockerell's sound was full, rythmic and very tight and nobody went deaf in the front row, if you know what I mean.
We even got a chance to chat with the owner, Pat McIntyre when the bartenders couldn't answer one of our trivial questions about the Edmonton night club scene. He mentioned he was planning to open another location in Victoria by the way.
I can wholeheartedly recommend the Ironwood Stage & Grill to anyone who wants a relaxing night out with better than average live entertainment and a friendly informal atmosphere. Every age group was represented by the way. Check it out. It's easy to get to and a cinch to find parking. We parked not more than 100 feet way in a public lot. There's lots of other shops and restaurantsin the area too. Inglewood is so nice now. -
Review from Donna M.
Calgary, AB
11/25/2010 13 Check-ins Here
Love the Ironwood - have enjoyed it for years.
New location, the old Garry Theatre in Inglewood, has benefited artists a great deal. Both the stage & backstage areas are larger - much apprecited by those that play there.
This venue hosts a variety of musical genres - from the amatuer to the seasoned veterans.
Every 2nd week, Kit Johnson & Tim Leacock, both great muscians themselves, host an open mic nite. You must arrive early in the evening to be added to the list if you expect to be on stage before midnight!
Other regular gigs include the Blues Jams Saturdays, Chicks with Licks, Fools on Stools. *check out the website for details of each
Last week I had the opportunity to see Peter Katz, who was nominated for "New/Emerging Artist" Canadian Folk Music Artist Award. Included in the evening was a set by Roger Marin - I had never heard them before, and absolutely loved them. That's what's special about the Ironwood. Bottom line, the music is great.
Enjoyed visiting the new location on the 2nd evening that it was open in April 2010. Artist - an absolute favorite of mine - Tom Russell. The food special that evening - Bison Steak. Total awesomeness.
The menu is limited, but food is good. Wish they would add the Bison Steak to the regular menu - but so far it hasn't happened. Personal favorite is the Warm Spinach and Artichoke Dip.
They would get a rating of 5 from me if they would change 2 things... In summer it was HOT (no air-conditioning), and the chairs are wood & can be uncomfortable after hour 3!
Love this place - I check their schedule regularily! -
Review from Kait K.
Calgary, AB
11/25/2010 1 Check-in Here
The old Ironwood location was a mainstay for roots & country lovers. Its fantastic rustic feel really gives showgoers an authentic experience of a remote country bar -- think down South-type of venues.
The Ironwood recently moved to a new location only 2 blocks down which I have to say is even better than the original location. See my review of the new Ironwood.
In its place now, is a new live music venue, called the Blues Can. I have yet to go but I am so happy that the Ironwood has been replaced by another locally-run venue. -
Review from Veronica M.
Calgary, AB
3/26/2011
All Stage, no Grill...
Last night a friend and I decided to pop in to the Ironwood for a pint and some food. There was a live show on but we weren't ready to stay all night to enjoy it so we chose to sit in the divided area near the entrance - a nice option for those who want to visit this local establishment but are not in the mood for live music. There were a few other people sitting there as well, eating meals and having drinks.
We chatted to each other while we waited for a server to take our order. After at least 10 minutes and no sign of service, my friend approached a staff person to see if there was something that we were not getting - did we need to approach the bar for a pint, or some other arrangement? We were assured that there was a server for our area who would be by very shortly.
Another 5 or more minutes go by and still no service!
So we elected to leave, and went to a different neighbourhood pub instead, where we had beers and appetizers on the table in less than 10 minutes.
I've seen great music at the Ironwood and would not hesitate to go there again to catch a show, but this was not the first time I've had lousy service. I've learned my lesson - The Ironwood is about the Stage, not the Grill. -
Review from Bob M.
Calgary, AB
4/27/2011
This would be my one of my favorite places in the neighbourhood. It is a great place to stop for lunch if you are looking for unconventional pub food or a fabulous place to settle in for an evenings entertainment (diverse program every week) over dinner and a few drinks. Atmosphere still has the original theatre feel even though it has been through a couple of incarnations since its Loose Moose days.Moose improv is still only a couple minutes away.
