Entertainment in Canada
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Sonar
Many Vancouverites don’t know it, but double-roomed Sonar is actually the city’s premier club for experimental DJs and live club shows from all over the globe. On any given night you’re likely to find progressive house, jazz fusion, soul, hip-hop, reggae or electronica. It’s definitely worth braving the atmosphere – which can sometimes be thick with attitude – if you know exactly what you’re looking for.
reviewed
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B
Caffè Artigiano
An international award-winner for its barista skills and latte art, Artigiano has the locals frothing at the mouth with its satisfyingly rich java beverages. The drinks appear with leaf designs adorning their foam and there's a good side attraction of gourmet sandwiches and cakes. The small patio here is almost always packed – grab a table quickly if you see one – and the interior has a classy Tuscan look.
reviewed
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Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal
This Montréal modern-dance troupe has achieved international acclaim since its birth in the 1970s. Performances are full of sensual grace and physical fireworks. When it’s not out on an international tour it plays at it home stage in Place des Arts and venues like the Théâtre de Verdure in Parc LaFontaine, where it often kicks off the fall arts season.
reviewed
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C'est What
Over 30 whiskeys and six dozen Canadian microbrews (mostly from Ontario) are on hand at this underground pub. An in-house brewmaster tightly edits the all-natural, preservative-free beers on tap. There's live music most nights at the Music Showbar next door. There's good grub as well – the menu encompasses all-local meats, including peameal bacon from St Lawrence Market next door as well as free-range bison.
reviewed
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E
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Buddies in Bad Times is an innovative venue for Canadian lesbigay and alternative theatre that's been wowing crowds since 1979. Original plays here often weave together Canadian themes, contemporary dance and jazz. It's tiny – only 300 seats for the main stage, and there are even fewer in Talullah's Cabaret, a clubby performance space for comedians, writers and singers. So book early!
reviewed
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F
Denman Place Cinema
The closest cheap-flicks cinema to the downtown core, this subterranean, almost kitsch, 1970s-style joint was a first-run movie house until the multiplexes moved into town. The owners closed it, whacked out half the seats and reopened it as a second-run theater with lots of legroom. It offers an eclectic mix of just-past-their-prime blockbusters and some lesser-known artsy flicks. The cinema is closed Sunday.
reviewed
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Cowboys
After recently relocating to a fresh location, this legendary Calgary hotspot has lost none of its hedonistic reputation. Everyone from Prince Harry, Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince ('Purple Rain' Prince, that is) have all had a boogie at Cowboys, the cavernous nightspot to see and be seen. Stetsons and tight Wranglers are the norm here, but even if that isn't your scene, the eye candy alone is worth a visit.
reviewed
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Mill Street Brewery
With 10 specialty beers brewed on-site in the atmospheric Distillery District, these guys are a leading light in local microbrewing. Order a sample platter so you can taste all the award-winning brews, including the Tankhouse Pale Ale, Stock Ale and Organic Lager. On a sunny afternoon, the courtyard is the place to be. Typical brewery fare is served, with beer-friendly pairings like burgers, sandwiches, and wraps.
reviewed
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Ginger 62
Briefly the city’s favorite bar until all those fickle fashionistas moved on a couple of years ago, this loungey spot is far more laid-back now – except on busy weekends when the Granville St clubbers stumble in for late-night refreshments. Lured by the calming décor, many of them end up staying for a final round of boogying on the small dance floor or a serious run at the extensive cocktail menu.
reviewed
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Nascar: Busch Series Event
In 2009 Nascar signed another three-year agreement with the city of Montréal to stage the race at the legendary Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Since first appearing in 2007, the event has become a major draw for Nascar lovers from all corners of North America and beyond. If all goes well, it may become a permanent fixture on Montréal’s event calendar. The race is typically held toward the end of August.
reviewed
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Mario's
A java-lover's favorite that only downtown office workers seem to know about, you'll wake up and smell the coffee long before you make it through the door here. The rich aromatic beverages served up by the man himself are the kind of ambrosia brews that should make Starbucks' drinkers weep – you might even forgive the incessant 1980s Italian pop music percolating through the shop as you sip on your perfect Americano.
reviewed
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Copacabana
Referred to simply as ‘Copa’ by the scruffy writers, actors, directors, artists and wannabes who frequent the place, this Blvd St-Laurent fixture is, in actuality, a restaurant. Plastic palm trees notwithstanding, it’s more of a drinking hole for the broke and interesting. You’re apt to eavesdrop on some fascinating conversationalists, most of whom aren’t too bad to look at, either.
reviewed
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Café Chaos
This down 'n' dirty basement bar is just the place to catch the latest up-and-coming bands for a pittance in cover. Tuesdays there are two-for-one microbrews and turntable action with 80s glam rock, old pop classics and a pinch of punk. The bar is a workers' co-op that's definitely worth its weight in bong water. The downstairs Bar les Conneries runs a Wednesday oldies evening and hosts a variety of its own rock acts.
reviewed
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Red Lite After Hour Discotheque
This 1850-sq-meter club has been around for decades, and the sketch factor – dark, pulsing, trippy – is through the roof. Its remote location in the French suburbs of Laval adds to the other-world feeling, and also explains its clientele, mostly people who live or work nights in Laval. With house and hip-hop rooms, it gets great DJs from around the world. A cab from the city should take about 20 minutes.
reviewed
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Sky Pub & Club
This is one of those popular Village complexes designed to suck you in for an entire Saturday night of partying. If you’re a gorgeous guy or looking for one, start the evening in the 1st-floor pickup pub before heading up to the dance floors (disco and energized house/hip-hop). The roof terrace is a perfect place to catch the Loto-Québec International Fireworks Competition in summer.
reviewed
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Soma
The neighborhood’s fave eponymous coffee hangout was kicked out of its popular old location but has re-emerged in a new spot as a wine bar. It’s a welcome transformation: while retaining its casual ambience, there’s now a tantalizing array of small-plate treats (the baked fondue is fun) as well as a serious BC and international wine menu, some choice local beers and a heartwarming roster of malts.
reviewed
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Le Clap
Located in the Ste-Foy-Sillery borough, Le Clap’s mandate is to show off the best of what’s going on in the film world. On any given afternoon, you’ll find an eclectic mix of films that could include the latest British hit, an old indie French film and probably one American blockbuster. Non-French-language films are almost always dubbed in French instead of subtitled but call ahead to double-check.
reviewed
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Sailor Hagar’s Brewpub
A stroll from Lonsdale Quay, this convivial, nautical-themed brewpub has smashing views of the city skyline, plenty of on-tap and bottled beers and a nice greasy menu of pub grub. It’s an ideal spot to catch European soccer on TV. The owners also brew some of their own tipples here – the Narwhal Pale Ale is recommended. There are different $4 to $5 beer specials every night and live jazz most Sunday nights.
reviewed
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Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal
This internationally renowned orchestra plays to packed audiences in its Place des Arts home. Its Christmas performance of The Nutcracker is legendary. Rock-star conductor Kent Nagano, a Californian with a leonine mane and stellar credentials, is music director. Check for free concerts at the Basilique Notre-Dame, the Olympic Stadium and in municipal parks in the Montréal area.
reviewed
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Atlantic Trap & Gill
Hanging on to the end of Robson St, this cheery East Coast tavern is a great spot to indulge in hearty seafood pub grub and a pitcher or three of Trap Lager, the house beer that's usually on special. The interior is comfy roadhouse but, in summer, make for the large patio and soak up some of the sunshine: you'll still be able to hear the Celtic-inspired bands that keep the party atmosphere going on Thursdays and Saturdays.
reviewed
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Roxy
A raucous old-school nightclub that still has plenty of fans – including lots of partying youngsters who seem to be discovering it for the first time – this brazen old hussy is downtown's least pretentious dance space. Expect to be shaking your booty next to near-teenage funsters, kid-escaping soccer moms and UBC students looking for a bit of rough. On Sunday, don your buttless chaps and drop by for a wild western night out.
reviewed
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Air Canada Centre
The 13-time Stanley Cup–winning Toronto Maple Leafs slap the puck around the Air Canada Centre in the National Hockey League (NHL). Every game sells out, but a limited number of same-day tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster at 10am and at the Air Canada Centre ticket window from 5pm. You can also buy tickets via the website from season ticket-holders who aren’t attending – expect to pay around $80 and up.
reviewed
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Ridge Theatre
A local community fave, mixing foreign films and Hollywood fare, this is a lively and convivial cinema in which to hang out with the locals. Check out the retro building's glass-enclosed 'crying room,' where parents can take wee noisemakers and still watch the movie without disturbing other patrons. Unlike most cinemas, where the food typically has the nutritional value of a hockey puck, the concession here serves organic fruit.
reviewed
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Van East Cinema
This balconied old-school cinema shows an eclectic schedule of critically acclaimed new and classic movies (plus second-run blockbusters to keep the money rolling in), with occasional late-night screenings and special events such as moviemaker lectures. It's a handy five-minute stroll north of the Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain station; continue on up the road after the show and discuss the flick at one of Commercial's chatty bars.
reviewed
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Vancouver Theatresports League
The city's most popular improv group stages its energetic romps – sometimes connected to themes such as Shakespeare or Star Trek – at a swanky new venue a couple of blocks from its old site. The format remains the same, though: if you're sitting near the front, expect to be picked on, unless you're naked – they tend to leave you alone if you're naked. The recommended 11:45pm Friday and Saturday shows are commendably ribald.
reviewed