10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Calgary

The Calgary Tower offers spectacular views of Downtown Calgary. An elevator whisks you up to its 160-metre-high observation deck, where you can watch the city lights. You'll have clear views of the surrounding skyline, with the splendid mountains of Banff National Park in the distance.

Learn more about the tower by downloading a multimedia tour to your smartphone, or watch a movie on Alberta's spectacular scenery in the theater room. If you're feeling brave, step out onto the glass platform to watch automobiles passing beneath your feet. An onsite gift shop sells souvenirs and knick-knacks by local brands.

Take an after-dinner ramble down Stephen Avenue Walk to see some of Calgary's most elegant period buildings and playful street art. Historic buildings include Hudson's Bay department store, and City Hall, which is built of local sandstone. Grab dessert at a late-night food truck, or shop for Canadian and western wear and Kanata Trading Mail or Lammle's.

As far as bars and pubs go, you're spoiled for choice. Both National on 8th and Bank & Baron have patios where you can enjoy the evening air, while James Joyce Irish Pub is popular for its exuberant atmosphere. Stephen Avenue hosts live music and other events throughout the year, such as the YYC Hot Chocolate Festival in winter.

TELUS Spark is an immersive science center with programs for all ages, but the adult fun starts after dinner. Events focus on everything from the latest robot technology to the effect of drugs on your brain or the intersection of gender and sexuality. Attend a lecture by expert scientists, or take part in one of the many hands-on science experiments.

Watch a planetarium show at the Infinity Dome and see stars turning above you or explore the inside of a volcano. All the centre's usual exhibits are open after dark, minus the crowds you'd see during the day. There's also a bar serving themed cocktails, or you can eat ice-creams named after planets at Astronaut Ice Cream.

Arts Commons is an arts center that does a little bit of everything, from cutting-edge theater to classical music. It's home to several prestigious arts organizations, including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Theater Calgary, and performing ensemble One Yellow Rabbit. Past events have included Steel Magnolias on stage, a lecture on The Secret Life of Bears, and concerts by the Canadian National Jazz Orchestra.

The venue is divided into several performance neighborhoods. The biggest one is Jack Singer Concert Hall, which can seat 1,800 people for its monumental concerts. Meanwhile, Motel accommodates just 50 people looking to enjoy experimental performances. Head to the Ledge Gallery or Lightbox Studio to see innovative performance projects by local artists.

The Grand is the oldest theater in Downtown Calgary, hosting stand-out performances in a magnificent historic venue. Opened in 1912, the theater has seen performances from famous names such as the Marx Brothers, Fred Astaire and Sarah Bernhardt. Today, the venue hosts theater, dance, and concerts, as well as lectures by distinguished speakers.

Past events have included comedy tours, international dance troupes, and theatrical performances by avant-garde ensemble One Yellow Rabbit. The Grand also promotes local and emerging performance artists with their 'Live and Local' performances in the lobby. Leave plenty of time for a drink in The Dark Arts, the theatre's cocktail lounge.

The Palace Theater was built in the 1920s as a movie house, but now hosts live music, concerts, and workshops. The line-up is varied, from country and blues to electro-pop and trance music. Come and listen to bands like The Darkness and Hanson, country icon Orville Peck, or Canadian folk band Wild Rivers.

Along with concerts, the Palace Theater also hosts fantastical performances like Le Cirque de la Nuit, participatory entertainment with a steampunk feel. Its onsite bar serves bottled and draft beer and a selection of cocktails. Most of the venue is standing-room-only, so get there early if you want a seat on the mezzanine level.

Calgary is a historic city with a colorful past and no shortage of haunting and ghostly stories. Take a tour around the city to hear about strange occurrences at the Chamber of Commerce building, a famous family curse, a ghost who loves music and the spirit of a misbehaving monkey.

Downtown Calgary ghost tours introduce you to the secret stories behind familiar landmarks, while more far-flung ones take you to some of the city's most well-preserved historical neighborhoods. There are also tours around Calgary's most haunted pubs, so you can relax with a drink while you listen to eerie tales and ghost stories. Some walking is usually involved, so remember to wear comfortable shoes.

Calgary has a wealth of independent breweries creating interesting and tasty new beers. Many are clustered in the Manchester district, unofficially known as the 'barley belt', where old industrial buildings have been repurposed as cool taprooms with soaring ceilings and mellow patios.

Make a beeline straight for Eighty-Eight Brewing Co. for their tropical IPA flavored with fruity pineapple and mango undertones, or try a tart Belgian sour beer at Village Brewery. The cozy atmosphere of Bow River Brewing is reflected in its delicious amber lagers like High Country Amber, blended with Alberta malts. Fans of dark beers will love the Mexican hot chocolate stout at Cabin Brewing Company.

There's nowhere better for retro cocktails or some smooth jazz than Calgary's stylish speakeasies. One of the most famous is Betty Lou's Library, where the entrance is by password only and there are live burlesque shows every week. Hidden basement bar Sub Rosa is another great speakeasy for music, with live DJs at the weekends and a thumping dance floor.

Head for Shelter Cocktail Bar for a more down-to-earth vibe, with a mix of glitz and grunge, as well as a cocktail menu that changes with the seasons. Try Vietnam-inspired cocktails like Saigon Sling or Morning in Hanoi at atmospheric bar Paper Lantern, or work your way through a vast choice of champagnes and champagne cocktails at Untitled.

Calgary's casinos offer a superb array of table games and slot machines in a fun, laid-back atmosphere. Cowboys Casino is great for casino novices, with learn-to-play events where you can pick up the rules of poker, blackjack, or baccarat with a craft beer in hand. Gray Eagle Casino has gorgeous views of the Canadian Rockies and live music in a world-class entertainment venue.

Elbow River Casino is a good stop for fans of horse racing, with more races than anywhere else in Calgary. They also host touring comedians at their dedicated comedy club, Yuk Yuk's. For something a bit different, try the virtual golf simulator at PURE Casino, where you can practise your swing on a wrap-around screen.