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The Whiskey
11 reviews for The Whiskey
11 reviews in English
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Review from Dustin H.
2/8/2012
As I've mentioned in other reviews before, I'm far from the authority on night clubs. I have a general distaste for them on the whole, and never really enjoy the experience of going to one.That being said, for one reason or another I've found myself dragged to pretty much every one in Calgary, and this was probably the least offensive experience I've had, among the group.
Yes, it's expensive as hell, but not to the point of being any noticeable difference from any of the others. The music was very ho-hum, but could have been a lot worse, and the personal experience with the staff and clientele were also rather middle of the road.
Where the Whiskey won me over wasn't that anything particularly impressed me, but rather how well it limited it's offenses. It managed to give off at least a slight air of class, with a much nicer décor and better over-all atmosphere than found at places like Cowboys or The Roadhouse, and I didn't get the feeling like every time I turned around I was gonna trip over a couple of drunks fornicating on a barstool, which left The Back Alley in the dust. Probably the closest thing I got to actual ENJOYMENT from a club experience had to be Whiskey's big halloween bash a couple years ago. The ammount of effort this place put into a special decor for the night, and the quality of costumes floating around the room was a head and shoulders above anywhere else I've been. That alone was almost worth going to, just for the visuals.
All things considered, I can't say I've ever particularly had FUN at a night club... but at least after my couple of visits to the Whiskey I came home feeling largely unviolated (save for my wallet), and wasn't running to the shower. Good on ya, Whiskey! -
Review from Meghan M.
Cold Lake, AB
12/13/2010
Ahhh The Whiskey...like an old friend I never want to see again. I would go to The Whiskey in it's better days a few years ago, when the dance floor was packed, and ladies sat in the washroom selling cool little things and handing you towelettes to dry your hands. But, as Jess mentioned, this place has indeed been spiralling downhill for awhile.
The worst thing that happened to me there was a few years ago - my wallet went into the club's coat check with my coat and never came out. They refused to let me behind the counter to look for it. When I demanded an explanation, a bouncer became aggressive, calling me all sorts of fun little names. Needless to say, I haven't gone back on a club night whatsoever. Until a couple of weeks ago on my way somewhere else when I stopped in to use the washroom. I'm not sure how much further downhill this place can go. They can no longer afford to be so cocky.
Perhaps I hit a bad night, but there were maybe 20 people in the club. It just seemed run down and lonely, crying out for it's better days. I went into the washroom - no more ladies sitting in the washroom - no anything in there except the stench of urine and dark loneliness.
My personal opinion is that this place should get flipped and become a live music venue. My two most memorable nights there were seeing Billy Talent (just before fame hit) and seeing Tricky last year. It's the perfect set up for small concerts. Whenever I see a good show there, it reminds me of what this place could be. But it's not. Because it won't stop trying to relive it's heyday.
As I left The Whiskey a couple of weeks ago, Beyonce's Baby Boy was playing, trying to call me back into Whiskeyland. Sorry B, there's nobody on the dance floor and there is a whole new world to explore...I'm going to have to leave you behind with the rest of 2004. -
Review from Jess B.
Calgary, AB
10/2/2010
This place has been spiraling downhill for a long time now. I remember being underage and using fake ids to get into the Whiskey. Now I dread going here but somehow get dragged by my friends. I am not a big club person but I enjoy dancing so I go. What I do not enjoy is sweaty men wearing baggy clothing and due rags trying to dance with you after you've clearly said no. This place has somehow turned into a rap video shoot gone wrong. Advise: avoid at all cost. There is a mix of young teenagers to cougars to wanna be rap stars.
Cover is $7.00 drinks are average. Floors are sticky and washrooms dirty. -
Review from Arinn W.
9/22/2010
Just...no. This is why:
1.) I went there on a rainy night. and the dark club had all these huge puddles of water on the floor! It wasn't just from spilled drinks--some places on the dance floor, I was getting dripped on. Even worse, there was water dripping out of a light socket (fire hazard HELLO) over the tables my friends were sitting at. I even called the fire dept. about it because I don't want anyone to die in a stinkin' nightclub fire.
2.) No bottles of beer! The selection was expensive and all canned. Even awesome beer tastes like shit when it's stored in aluminum. It's a bad sign if the clientele can't handle glass bottles.
3.) I was there on a Saturday, which is usually a hoppin' night. The dj suuuuucked. S/he kept dropping the beat between samples, resulting in the awkward how-does-one-dance-to-this stutter, rather than the expected flowing continuity between samples that is conducive to moving your body rhythmically with the music. The samples were way too short: by the time we got to the dance floor for a song we liked, it was onto the chorus of another hit. I get that songs sometimes get cut up for djing, but I listen to lots of good djs and I can tell you the whiskey was on amateur night.
4.) Huge cover ($7!) expensive drinks and shiny shirts. Never again. I usually avoid places like this like the plague but got dragged down for a friend-of-a-friend's party. It was a scarring experience, really: to some people, this is excellence, and that is sad.Listed in: don't go here
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Review from dinah g.
Calgary, AB
3/14/2010
Whiskey was the a bar of choice tonight, and although it isn't my bar of choice, I thought okay just go with the flow, we arrived around 11 which was a mistake on our part because it was a Saturday night and of course people in Calgary want to party.
The line up was huge; we even had friends head there first to save us a spot and most of my friend's went jacketless, which for me is just pneumonia waiting to happen because it was cold. The line waiting was atrocious, this crowd is way too young for me, and they can be rude; there are lots of yelling, cussing, and butting in line.
I am surprised to read there is a dress and age code here because I saw tons of ripped jeans, kicks and people I swear that were in their late teens. The wait time was approximately an hour, the place was filled to its capacity, but the bouncer was actually really nice and let me know.
We didn't bother waiting the full hour, this place just isn't my scene so we left and I had to jump over something unmentionable on the way out.
I am sure this place appeals to many people; I just don't think I would return even if there wasn't a line up. -
Review from Sapna G.
Calgary, AB
10/21/2009
Sometimes I feel like I'm getting a little old to be prancing around dance clubs surrounded by 14 year olds who know all the words to the latest remixed Miley Cyrus song blaring over the speakers. I don't know what's worse: realizing that they are actually blaring a Miley Cyrus song in public, or realizing that I am old enough to be the mother of all the people dancing around me.
This is where The Whiskey comes in. I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that it's always packed with a mature crowd. Not the case. But what I like about the Whiskey is that there are at least some people my own age there. Yes, the 14 year olds are still there, but at least I can look past them and see some folks who have been on this planet for a bit longer.
The music at The Whiskey is definitely my scene. Pop, R n' B and Top 40. Plus everyone's always there to have a good time.
What I don't like about The Whiskey are that the bouncers can often be pretentious and annoying. I remember a couple of times my dates were wearing sneakers (the hot kind, NOT the worn, torn kind) and we got turned away at the door. Ahem...the REASON my boys were wearing these sneakers is because they can bust a move. They would have been smart to let them in, but hey, I guess no dance club these days is perfect.
Overall, The Whiskey is one of the better dance clubs in Calgary. Plus if you're a student, they throw the BEST Bermuda Day Shorts party in the city. I have yet to have as much fun as I did at The Whiskey back in my BSD days.
I'd recommend The Whiskey if you're up for a frivolous night. You're bound to get hit on, you're bound to get your groove on, and you're bound to have an interesting night, no matter how it ends. -
Review from Chad W.
Calgary, AB
10/6/2008
The Whiskey is a beastly cavernous nightclub that offers the some of the biggest names that ever grace Calgary with their musical presence. DJs from the UK, huge hip-hop artists from the States, and some of the biggest names in rock and roll have hit up the Whiskey.
Although the drinks are expensive, the crowd is always moving. Big beats here help to move your feet. Their PA system is ridiculously awesome, boasting some of the best sound in the city.
Beautiful people, great lighting, and a huge dancefloor away the children of the beat at the Whiskey. -
Review from Katie C.
Calgary, AB
10/31/2009 2 photos
I've been to the Whiskey a few times over the years, despite the fact that it is supposed to be a +25 bar. I find that girls usually bypass that restriction no-problemo, but they come down on the men a lot harder. They are also SERIOUS about the dress code, so not even nice sneakers will pass muster here.
My experiences here have been varied. Sometimes it truly did (and does) feel like everyone has a few years on me, and at other times I feel like I'm older than everyone there. The music varies depending on the DJ - in the past I've always enjoyed the mix of 80s and 90s with the top 40 hits. But when my friends and I decided to hit up the place for Halloween to check out the beautiful people, the music had gone downhill. Way downhill. I'm not sure that the DJ had even gotten the concept of danceable music. It started thinning out around 12, so obviously I was not the only person who noticed.
I like the bar side, where the music is toned down and the lights are turned up so you can see and hear the people you are talking to. The club side is cool too, with frosted glass and a "dance pit" along with a raised dance floor. There are usually tons of beautiful people writhing around on one of the many dance floors, so if that's what you're looking for, it's as good a place as any to score. -
Review from Moez T.
Calgary, AB
11/27/2009
The Whiskey makes me feel uncomfortable. I've been to a lot of clubs and The Whiskey is no different. But there is something about the clientele and atmosphere that made me feel uncomfortable every time I went.
The Whiskey tries to be more exclusive than it really is. Not unusual for a nightclub, they have dress codes and policies that they use at their discretion. Some would argue that they abuse it, and that would be a fair assessment depending on the night you go. Clubs like this, like most in Calgary, have a vested interest in packing the club with women and lining up desperate men outside. It works, because if you don't get in that night, you really hope you get in the next night.
Lots of young women, lots of aggressive men, lots of alcohol; what could possibly go wrong? Maybe I'm getting old, but The Whiskey is really not for me. The music is usually pretty good, with lots of opportunities to dance. But aside from that, I never feel good there. -
Review from Julianna C.
Calgary, AB
8/31/2009
Five some-odd dollars for a can of beer... handed to you by a pretty lady on a platform. The night I went (a Saturday), I heard some of the worst music- most of the songs from 5 or 6 years ago. I really enjoyed the dance floor and the atmosphere. Lots of space, and lots of things going on.
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Review from Tim K.
Calgary, AB
10/4/2009
great place and music, woman are a bit snooby thou,if trying to chat one up.
Listed in: favorties
