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There are many interesting and varied Calgary gay bars and Calgary gay clubs and Calgary lesbian bars and Calgary lesbian restaurants, coffee bars, accommodations, resource centers and associations. Here I will be giving a short description and a personal review from my perspective. If guests, regular customers and owners of these establishments like to comment then they can e-mail me and I will add it to the listing here. If I have missed anyone out from Calgary gay community, just let me know and I will pay a visit and add it to my listing.
I will first start with Calgary gay bars and clubs, restaurants, coffee shops and then onto Calgary gay stores and Calgary gay resource centers.
Calgary Gay Bars and Nightclubs
The Twisted Element
1006 – 11 Avenue SW, Calgary. Ph [403] 802-0230.
The dance club is upstairs and is open Wed – Sun: 9pm – 2pm, closed Monday and Tuesday. This is a very popular club with the young gay Calgary men; this gay club has a large dance floor with two bars, adjacent lounge with fireplace and street windows. Downstairs is the twisted lounge with comfortable seating and another bar. This lounge is open Tues – Friday and Sun 6pm – 1pm, Sat 9pm – 2pm and closed on Monday. Early evening until 9pm, access is of the back lane at the rear of the building. Parking is on the East side of the building and adjacent streets after 6pm.
The Backlot
209 – 10 Avenue SW, Calgary. Ph [403] 265-5211.
Access is down a recess alley on 10th Avenue Sw. The main bar is on street level, though not very large it has lounge with gas fireplace making it cozy in the winter, the bar has a few stools and a small seating area adjacent to the patio. Washroom is small but clean. Upstairs is a smaller area with a pool table and when busy another bar. Clientele mostly professional men but women are welcome. Ken the bar owner welcomes new and regular customers in an affable manner and makes time for conversation. This is also one of my regular gay bars.
Calgary Eagle
424a - 8 Avenue SE, Calgary. Ph. [403] 263-5847.
Calgary Eagle is Calgary gay leather bar and Levis, Calgary lesbian leather and straight leather crowd are welcome as well. The Calgary Eagle is located in the South East of Downtown behind City Hall. Parking is available but at the parking lot otherwise there are a few meters. Another alternative is 9th Ave and walk across past the new Salvation Army Hostel. The bar is on street level and consist an entrance lounge [non smoking] with the bar at the far end and a pool table. To the right of the bar is the entrance to another room that has a pool table, a cage another bar also a cross. Washrooms are past the kitchen.
Though the main clientele are into leather and denim everyone are welcome and the only restriction is the Dress Code on Fri & Sat night from 10pm where you have to be wearing either leather or levis. Hours are Wed, Thurs, Sun – 5pm – Midnight, Fri and Sat: 5pm – 2am, closed Monday and Tuesday. A selection of draught beers is available and though the food is limited it is quite good. Staff is friendly and helpful.
Money-Pennies Eatery & Bar
1742 – 10 Avenue SW, Calgary. Ph [403] 263-7411.
Money-Pennies is about 10 minute drive from Westways; it is best to go down 11th Ave SW, across 14th St and next turning on the right to 10th Avenue. The small open bar with dining area and pool table is on street level with lots of natural light and upstairs there is a small meeting room. In the summer the upstairs patio is open. Unisex toilet is clean and well supplied and parking is adjacent on the street. The bar is small with stools and there are also lot of tables and chairs. Food not elaborate but homely and takes a little time as it is usually cooked to order. Money-Pennies is the main Calgary lesbian bar though it has a strong gay men following and the owners are from the lesbian community. Lorrie one of the owners who welcomes all, is involved with many of our community activities and I do frequent this hospitable bar and eatery.
Texas Lounge
308 - 17 Avenue SW [Lower Level], Calgary. PH [403] 229- 0911
The Texas Lounge is at the back of Victoria’s Restaurant on the corner of 2nd St and 17Ave SW., about 10 minute walk more or less from Westways. The Texas Lounge is the bar adjacent to Calgary gay bath house called Goliath’s, both share the same entrance going down the stairs and are below street level, there is plenty of off street parking available. The bar is small and is know by the local gay Calgary community as the “Bunker” and is frequent mostly by men. Hours of operation are 11am to 2am, 7 days a week with happy hour from 3pm to 8pm; this bar also has 2 Video Lottery Terminals. Its clientele are men from age 18 and upwards and towards the end of “happy hour” its customers are very friendly and chatty though they can be difficult to understand due to influence of alcohol. This bar does not serve draught beer, mostly cans and there is a wait period of 15 to 20 minutes before being served when there is a bar staff shift change at 7pm weekdays and 7:30 pm on weekends.
Calgary Gay Stroll and Gay Cruising Areas
As with any other major city or urban area there will be parks, washrooms, gyms, bathhouses car parks that are cruising areas for men seeking men for sex. Calgary has its fair share and often or not is attended by married men who want sex with men from time to time. Having heard of various places, which seem to change from time to time and the season. The well-known areas are Glenmore Park where the washrooms are, the Calgary Zoo car park along the river, and the washrooms at Devonian Gardens, Further Education Campus at the Calgary University and some large retails stores. The problems are the police patrols, security, homeless persons and genuine users of the facilities.
The following web site has more info and comments www.squirt.org and is easy to join.
The gay stroll in Calgary is located in the Beltline area, between 14th and 13th Ave SW from 6th St to 7th St SW. Within this block is a heritage building and small park frequent by local residents with their dogs and children. Surrounding are high-rise apartments, condominiums, townhouses and a commercial building. Local residents have frequently complained to the police about the male prostitutes that hang around the block at night and the police do patrol. The male prostitutes [rent boys] usually hang out on the corners or on 6th St by the gardens from dusk to 2am – 3am. Age varies from 18 to mid thirties though most are in their twenties and many of them are not truly gay as their main reason is to obtain money to fund their drug habit. I am told the cost varies from $40.00 to $100.00 according what type of sexual activity is required and it is a 50/50 chance if you have a great time or feel ripped off. That is the gamble you do take when procuring a rent boy, though there is the possibility of the exception to the rule and you might be lucky and meet someone genuine. If you do partake in the services of a Calgary rent boy, just remember they are just as human as you are and should be treated so, not as some object to be despised because you feel bad about having to use their services. Some of the punters have refused to pay, beat them up and degraded the young men. Please do not put temptation in the way and leave valuables or money in your pockets or lying around otherwise you will be disappointed and angry. Take note, we have a new law in Alberta that if you cruise a prostitute stroll [men or women] in a car and stop to procure prostitute and are caught by the police. The police can confiscate your vehicle until the trial and if convicted they can keep the vehicle. I suggest you park the car and walk around the block; this will also give you a better perspective on the young men.
Other areas you might come across young men on the game is in the Calgary gay bars though the managers do discourage any obvious activity by young men on the game and if patrons of the gay bar complain then the young man is barred from the bar. These rent boys usually have a regular job and just supplementing their income and drugs supply. Be aware and do not jump to conclusion, as there are young men who are into and genuinely like older men.
Restaurants and Coffee Shops
Quab Gallery
Retail and Resource Centres
Priape Calgary
1322 – 17th Ave SW, Calgary. Ph [403] 215-1800
This great Calgary gay store specializes in designer clothing, leather, sex toys and is part of the Priape chain of stores. They also have extensive selection of gay porn on DVD with wider range from many sources. They also sell guidebooks, poppers, and cards catering for the Calgary lesbian and gay customers.
Hours – Mon – Fri 12pm to 9pm, Sat 10am – 9pm, Sun 12pm – 6pm
Barbies Shop
1518 – 4th St SW, Calgary. Ph [403] 262-8265
Custom made corsets, sexy boots, gothic and leather clothing or pvc, lingerie and uniforms. What ever is your life, Barbies has the fashions and accessories to enhance it.
Affordable Travel
6540 – 4th St NE, Calgary. Ph [403] 275-4116
Knowledgeable and gay friendly Calgary travel agent, they will make all the arrangements for Calgary gay weddings and other destinations. Extremely helpful and service orientated.
With The Times
2203 – 4th Street SW, Calgary. Ph [403] 244-8020
With The Times store is handy for the 4th St. coffee shops just a few minutes walk from Calgary Westways. Selling a wide range of gay magazines, newspapers, paperbacks, greeting cards besides “straight’” reading materials. They have another store in Kensington, 118 – 10th Street NW, Calgary.
Casablanca Video Store
2100 – 4th Street SW, Calgary. Ph [403] 244-4502
Casablanca Video is the nearest store to Calgary Westways that has gay titles for videos and DVDs as well as the new releases. This store is on 4th street and 21st Avenue.
GLCSA – Gay & Lesbian Community Services Association
Suite 4, 1230A – 17 Ave SW, Calgary. Ph [403] 234-8973
This organization with its trained volunteers offers information and advice on all aspects of Calgary’s gay, lesbian and transsexual communities as well one to one peer support either on the phone or in person at the office and library. The GLCSA promotes media projects to give a positive aspect of the Calgary’s gay and lesbian communities and has projects for the youth.
Aids Calgary
#200, 1509 Centre St South, Calgary. Ph [403] 508-2500
Outlooks
Suite 1B, 1230A – 17 Ave SW, Calgary. Ph [403] 228-1157
Outlooks is a free monthly paper originally for Calgary’s gay and lesbian community then Edmonton, Alberta, Vancouver, Toronto and now has aspirations to be Canada’s Gay Community paper and is well on the way in doing so. With regular feature writers from Vancouver, Winnipeg and Toronto complimented with advertising from those cities. Outlooks established the “Millennium Community Foundation” that funds new groups, research and education programs and just launch a credit card affinity program with MBNA Canada Bank and MasterCard with the royalty payments going to Outlooks Millennium Community Foundation.
GayCalgary.com
GayCalgary.com is Calgary's online resource for Business, Tourism and Entertainment for the Gay, Lesbian, Bi and Gay Positive Community.
This is a really useful sight and directory and has far more listings and categories then here. They also print a monthly magazine just for the Calgary gay and lesbian community with an excellent map of Calgary gay and lesbian bars and retail outlets.
Pride Calgary
Pride Information Line Ph. [403] 262-3410
This is the organization that plans and schedules the events for Calgary’s Pride Week in June.
Primetimers Calgary
An excellent social organization for older gay men [45 +] and their partners, with various activities.
Rocky Mountain Bears
A social club for heavier hirsute men and their cubs.
ISCCA – Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch
Fund raising and social organization and member of the Court system.
Accommodations
Goliath’s Saunatel
308 – 17 Avenue SW [Lower Level], Calgary. Ph [403] 229-0911
Goliath’s is Calgary gay bathhouse for men, it has recently been renovated and refurbish. Located in the basement at the back of the building on 17 Ave and 2nd St. SW and sharing the same entrance as Texas Lounge Bar, free parking is available. Facilities in Goliath’s bathhouse include shower rooms, a steam room, hot tub, video room, snack bar, lockers and individual rooms either with single cots or double cots with TV. As far as I remember this Calgary bathhouse do not have glory holes. Open 24 hours per day and rentals of lockers and rooms are for a six-hour period. Prices are around $27.00 for a room with single cot, $30.00 for double size cot and the one with the TV is $35.00. Lockers are around $15.00 during the day and $20.00 at nighttime, all for 6hrs periods. There is a $5.00 refund on the room prices on check out.
Goliath’s ambiance is created with subdue lighting, dark shadows, warm moist air and anonymity which many gay men prefer.
11th Street Lodging
1307 – 11 Street SW, Calgary. Ph [403] 209-0111
11th Street Lodgings are two houses next to each other from the 1910’s and offer clean rooms with single bed and shared bathroom or rooms with double bed and self-contained suite with kitchen and deck and queen bedroom. John and Peter have over the years redecorated and upgraded the rooms and the front yard is really beginning to bloom. The only parking is on the street; continental breakfast is included in the price [full breakfast is not provided for] and prices range from $50.00 to $100.00 per night.
Home Plate Comforts Bed and Breakfast
Box 31021, Bridgeland RPO Calgary, Alberta Canada T2E 9A3 Ph [403] 263-2442
Home Plate Comforts, a guest space for women, is a bed & breakfast located in the heart of Calgary, Alberta. We live on a quaint residential street close to the downtown core. The main floor of our bungalow is predominantly dedicated to the bed & breakfast. The single guest room is complemented by a private bath, living room, and kitchenette for your exclusive use. Our own living space with separate entrance is on the lower level. We've renovated our home with you in mind and developed a space intended to be casual, private, welcoming, and women-centred.
A Calgary Historic B&B at Twin Gables
611 – 25 Ave SW, Calgary. Ph [403] 271-7754
This gay friendly Calgary B&B is upscale and only 3 blocks away from us.
River Wynde Executive Bed and Breakfast
220 – 10A Street NW, Calgary. Ph [403] 270-8448
Located just outside downtown in the Kensington district and is a gay friendly Calgary B&B.
Calgary Gay Masseur
Roquest Studios Massage
Tel. [403] 619-8905 www.roquemassage.ca
Ray specializes in sensual, relaxation and therapeutic massage, this Calgary gay massage is excellent value for money.
Generally there are two categories of Calgary gay massage, one is a therapeutic using special techniques like reflexology or Swedish. The other is more sensuous, relaxing, possibly with a climatic ending. If there are any gay Calgary masseur that specialize in either of these massages and would like to promote themselves on this site with out any costs. Please contact me at info@gaywestways.com or 866 846-7038 to be listed in the category of their choice. I do have guests who request masseurs.
Gay and Lesbian Social Organizations
Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association [ARGRA]
Postal Address: Room 208, 223 - 12th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2R 0G9
The ARGRA Hotline at (403) 541-8140. Rodeo Ticket ordering: (403) 938-7329
ARGRA is the organization that is responsible for the “Canadian Rockies International Rodeo” which is held on the nearest weekend to “Canada Day” holiday [1st July]. This gay rodeo event, attended by several thousand spectators, is a fun weekend with many visitors camping out in their tents; RVs at the rodeo grounds and after the rodeo enjoy the dancing at the grounds. To help with raising funds for this Rodeo, ARGRA puts on monthly dances with a western theme and to help you improve your two stepping and horse riding, there are several courses to attend.
Apollo, Friends in Sports
Postal Address: 304, 223 – 12 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta. T2R 0G9
Apollo is an organization that set up teams and leagues for different sporting activities for gay and lesbian community. The range of sports, vary from bowling, curling, badminton, volleyball, skiing and snowboarding and in the summer there are golfing, slow pitch and tennis. The main event for Apollo is the “Western Cup” held annually at Easter. Teams from Western Canada and U.S.A. compete in various sports for the finals, which are held in Calgary.
The Rocky Mountain Cruisers Car Club
Ph [403] 660-6305
A club for the gay and lesbian car enthusiasts meeting on the third Tuesday of each month at Money-Pennies – 7:00pm. The Rocky Mountain Cruisers organize social evenings, day trips and car clinics.
GIRLSGO Productions
PO Box 51162, Beddington Postal Outlet, Calgary, AB, T3K 3V9 (403) 510-2502
GIRLSGO is a small but diverse production company specializing in concert, adventure and special event promotion for Women. Please check the website or call to find out what is happening in Calgary for women!
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