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Vern's
Categories: Nightlife Bars Dive Bars Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Dive Bars, Music Venues [Edit]
622 8 Ave SWCalgary, AB T2P 1G4
(403) 237-8376
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
6 reviews for Vern's
6 reviews in English
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Review from Trevor H.
Calgary, AB
4/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
I enjoy Verns, it's a total dive, but that doesn't bother me. I actually kinda like how there are old cymbals covering the walls and a sticky floor by 11. I like the owner too, he'll remind you to say please when ordering a beer, and he's got a good attitude towards his clientelle. If you're gonna act like a horse's ass, you're not welcome. If you want to get boozed up and shove around in the crowd while some heavy rock and roll blasts in your face, he's the first guy to encourage that. But he'll quickly advise you to keep your elbows down, and be considerate.
This place is a part of a community, to dismiss it as a dive is ridiculous. Chances are, if you have an issue with how Verns does business, you are probably not welcome. -
Review from Gabe A.
4/22/2011
What an honor to play here! Vern's is definitely one of the most interesting dive bars in the city, a basement suite with poor lighting, interesting decor (the wall behind the stage is covered in beat-up cymbals), cheap swill for beer, and heaps of melty nachos. The owner and sound guy, Cliff, is a stand-up guy, a grizzly with a heart of gold. Everytime the Outlaws hit the stage here, whether for Sled Island or an everyday metal show, it feels like home, and we know we will sound as good as we wished we were.
Listed in: Outlaws of Ravenhurst Live
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Review from Lindsay K.
Halifax, NS
9/29/2009 1 photo
Vern's is the ultimate dive bar. I say this because they have a regular clientele, relatively cheap drinks, and they are located in a basement.
They have a wide range of musical performances, mostly metal, punk and new age rock. The shows obviously occupy most of the night time hours, and can draw a crowd. The place really picks up at night. The shows seem to bring a lot of people to the place, since they are among the few venues with heavier music. The crowds are usually young music lovers, who party and dance no matter who the showcase band is.
The sound guy, as well as the owner, Clint, is a super friendly dude, albeit a little scary. He can be quite intimidating, but once you engage him in conversation you realize he's not so scary after all. I've been to Vern's for the sole purpose of having a couple drinks and great conversation with Clint.
Vern's is also a good place for lunch and day time hours. They often have really good specials, both drink and food, which only the regulars really know about. People will often go to Vern's just because of their lunch menu. The place sometimes fills up at lunch, but usually remains empty in the late afternoon, until the shows start at night.
Best dive bar in the city? Probably not to everyone, but it's definitely a good time if you're looking for cheap drinks, quick food and some decent, heavy music. It's by far my favourite dive bar! -
Review from James C.
Kitchener, ON
8/19/2010
As others have mentioned, Vern's is a dive bar. I knew that ahead of time. I've been to plenty of dive bars in my time. I'm from out of town, but know Calgary quite well. I went with a group of people to watch a friend's band play a set.
The smell of sewage coming from the bathroom was so gross, that several of our group had to leave in the middle of our friend's set to get fresh air. It was very disgusting. This might have been a bad night for them, but the locals I was with said Vern's bathrooms have some notoriety.
The bands we saw were good, but it was hard to enjoy the music in what felt like an outhouse. -
Review from Cory R.
Calgary, AB
11/3/2011
what a shithole. avoid this place. live bands all the time which is great but Verns smells like rotting garbage and sewage and the owner/whatever he is c_unt is a piece of work.
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Review from Chad W.
Calgary, AB
10/3/2008
Vern's is pretty cool. Heavy bands and heavy fans gather here on weekends to ride out rock and roll shows debuting some of Calgary's finer punk rock and metal bands. Of course, it's fairly dim inside and the sound isn't great, but one can always be assured of a kick-ass party coming here for a night.
Cover is usually rather reasonable and drink prices are about the same. Regardless, the crowd here is always ready to rock.
