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Marquee Room
Categories: Nightlife Bars Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Bars, Music Venues [Edit]
612 8th Ave SWCalgary, AB T2P 1G5
(403) 264-3717
- Hours:
Thu-Sat 8 pm - 2 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
7 reviews for Marquee Room
7 reviews in English
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Review from dinah g.
Calgary, AB
12/13/2009
I went to the Marquee Room with some friends on a very cold Wednesday night; we were charged a $5.00 cover so I thought there was some sort of special event going on.
The MR inhabits a space on the second floor the Uptown Cinema. It is quite modern-ish, retro-ish and has a nice feeling about it. Tonight however a DJ was spinning but there was only a half a dozen of folks in the bar. Well I don't have to have tons of people at a bar to have a good time so we made the best of it and joined the only couple on the dance floor dancing. The DJ was playing some great 80s remixes, so it was really easy to get into the music.
Seems to be an alternative indie crowd, things are pretty laid back here at MR, and that with the relatively cheap drinks makes for a great place to hang out. Even with the 5 buck cover, it was still worth the great music and the ambiance. -
Review from Philippe G.
Calgary, AB
2/21/2011
Well, I can say that I have only been here when friends have played here. It is in a rather obscure little entrance that kind of feels like you are breaking into a theatre, after hours...the carpet brings you back 10 years.
Everything was just OK, they served what you could get most places, for a reasonable price. The memories were only brought on by the music and the company at the Marquee, the rest is rather forgettable unfortunately. -
Review from Gabe A.
5/18/2011
Located on the second level above the Uptown Cinema, the Marquee Room is a cozy, open area with a generously sized bar and performing stage, and is a great place to catch a very eclectic lineup of performers. Outlaws of Ravenhurst played here in the winter of 2009, on the day of a massive snowstorm that dumped two feet of snow on the city: only the hardiest of souls showed up, but they were treated to a blistering rock show with the Brenda Vaqueros laying down some licks. I eagerly await a return trip here.
Listed in: Outlaws of Ravenhurst Live
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Review from Katie C.
Calgary, AB
10/19/2009
Welcome to the epicentre of Calgary's artsy-indie scene. The Marquee room offers kaleidoscopic number of acts in a really chill venue. I love it, in part because I think it lacks some alot of the pretension that often accompanies such places.
I've heard some really excellent DJs who feature music far above and beyond top-40 and house, punk bands - really good bands of all kinds have played here. I even like that the featured bands are not always particularly good which leaves a lot of room for variety and experimentation, something Calgary needs more of. The weirdest and most memorable will always be the electric noise band that screeched and feedbacked their way into my next-day migraine. But you know what? I still like that they got a chance to play, and to discuss it with friends and communicate with pulled faces.
I also feel like the Marquee room has some appeal to all kinds of people, and is kind to non-scenesters which makes it less intimidating to introduce newbies to than some of Calgary's similar venues.
The decor is a sort of modern-vintage, there is always lots of dancing, and stylish and pretty people to hang out with. Add in cheap drinks and you have a place that despite its quirky location in the upstairs of a movie theatre is always prepped for some city-slickin good times. -
Review from Danny F.
Calgary, AB
9/30/2008
Upstairs at the Uptown and overlooking Steven Avenue, The Marquee Room is a great place to find up-and-coming musicians both local and international. The music is eclectic and varied with a DJ spinning psychedelic one night and a Montreal dance-punk band the next.
The patrons of the uptown are Calgary's 'indie elite' with trendy threads layering them from head to foot. In the crowd you may notice many of Calgary's musicians come to support their peers and rivals.
With great music, free pool and one of the coolest crowds in Calgary the Marquee Room is a very fun place to spend an evening.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Chad W.
Calgary, AB
10/6/2008
The Marquee Room is a popular live music venue, dancehall, and bar on Steven Avenue. The place is popular with trendy artsy folk that dig indie rock. The Marquee brings acts from all over Canada, spanning a ton of different genres, to put on hundred-person parties.
The drinks are reasonably priced and the decor is somewhat modern looking. Of course, the Marquee is far better than many of the local dens in town.
The real treat is their sound engineer. During larger events, Pat Palardy is on the mixboard. He also performs sound engineering for Mount Royal's Liberty Lounge...so you KNOW that regardless of who's playing, it's going to sound incredible.
If you're funky, artsy, or you like indie rock, this is your place. -
Review from Lindsay K.
Halifax, NS
9/12/2009 2 photos
If you think you're heading to see a movie when you enter the Marquee Room, think again. It may be conveniently located in the Uptown movie theatre on 8th Avenue, but people are hardly preparing themselves for a couple relaxing hours of independent film. In fact, there's nothing relaxing about the place. It has upbeat music, a cheerful crowd, and plenty of space for shaking your booty.
They have a playful atmosphere with a pool table that doubles as a giant doodle pad, a large wall with more paper for colouring, and a professional photographer to take all the goofy pictures you want. I'm unsure if they charge per picture, or if you can even buy them afterwards, but the experience of having your picture taken in a professional manner at a bar is pretty neat.
One of the best things about the Marquee Room was that they didn't charge cover upon entry, even though there were live bands playing that night. You'd be lucky to find a place that doesn't make you pay out the wazoo nowadays, even if it's just for dancing.
Another bonus about the place was the music itself. When there wasn't a local indie band ripping up the stage, the DJ was hard at work playing a rather random selection of music. People were dancing and having a great time all over the place; the DJ really knows his crowds! The only disappointment about the music was the closing band. It's been my experience that they always save the best for last, but this didn't seem to be the case this particular evening. The final band played at 1:00am and, my goodness, were they ever downers. We actually left earlier than expected because the place had just died. Now, I'm not saying this wasn't a good band with an interesting take on new age rock, but it just didn't seem fitting for an end-of-the-night kind of gig. They really brought the mood down to a standstill. Yawn!
Even with a depressing closing act, I would definitely, and will definitely go back time and time again. Cheap booze + no cover + nice people + decent music (mostly) = good times!
