Nice interior, nice staff, nice people and great location.
But it would be great if the bar hired a sound engineer.
Someone, who would tune the sound independently of a promo group and playing artists that night. Someone, who would be with people in the middle of the dance floor and hear how the sound system performs. Then tune it on an ipad connected to the system. This person must understand what the system can and can’t do, then adjust things properly.
I’ve been there on a few different events and unfortunately had the same experience. The sound was quite fine until a headliner comes. Then the volume was turned to 120+ (someone just thought it’s cool). The sound clipped so hard so it was impossible to distinguish tones, vocal, bass and highs. It’s interesting how I couldn’t figure out what song is playing even though it was one of my favorite ones, which I listened to 100+ times. Thanks to other people around who started singing so I was like “aaah, that was a song I love”.
Unfortunately, I can’t come and listen to my favorite artists anymore, because that place is the major one for this kind of music. And my wife says she won’t go with me either, because “why? just listen to this sound mess and ruin the night?”.
Guys, not everyone comes to just hang out and drink with friends. There are people who come to listen to their favorite artists and music on a big stage, with a big sound, a dance floor and nice people around. And I suppose that’s the goal of this place.
Things, I mentioned above, are easy to fix, but they will give so much benefit.
I hope someday things will change and I’ll be able to come to Commonwealth again and listen to my favorite music with my dear friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Paige Korstrom
I was a little worried coming here for new years, because of the reviews. But I'm so glad we did. The staff were amazing!! There was the nicest bouncer at the front door, then when you walked in you were greeted by 2 more awesome staff . Bartenders were quick, and happy. There is actually 3 parts to this bar. The girls bathroom was the best party.We even had our own female bouncer in there. And she was great at the crowd control in there. You guys should set up a beer tub in there , you would make a fortune 😆
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Amal Manohar
I recently visited Commonwealth Bar and Stage in downtown Calgary, and it was a great experience! The atmosphere was vibrant, with fantastic music and a spacious layout that made the evening enjoyable.
The staff were friendly and attentive, adding to the positive vibe of the place. The live performances were definitely the highlight, showcasing amazing talent that kept the energy levels high throughout the night.
One thing to note is that they charge $5 to keep your jacket inside, and the counter accepts cash only, so be prepared if you’re planning to use this service. The entry fee was slightly higher than average, but for the ambiance and entertainment, it felt worth it. That said, I’d recommend arriving early to avoid long waits at the entrance.
Overall, Commonwealth Bar and Stage is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy a lively night out in Calgary. I’m looking forward to going back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Mike Nelson
Great little bar for a local show!
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Valerii Yanchev
Awful sound quality, don’t worth to visit at all
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 3
Taffy
Good selection of drinks (expensive but it’s a club) and lots of music and events and usually pretty busy on the weekend. Solid venue especially downstairs
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Colin L
Would be nice if they opened the whole bar when it's crazy packed
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
August W
fun spot to go out. i've had a good time everytime i've been here.
Sarah Maclellan
Went here for a concert, great venue and service was quick!! Will definitely return of the is another artist I would like to see.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Louis Ng
Came for a show, lined up way up front and early, and the woman at the front decided their Apple pass ticket machine wouldn’t work and asked me to log into Ticketmaster for the barcodes instead, letting everybody else behind in front of us first. We insisted on trying the machine after a bit and it actually worked, we lost the front row because of her bad choices. No thanks!
Great venue for all types of shows. They host some great band shows before they turn it back into a nightclub. The sound system is great, atmosphere is very welcoming and fun! Management is always very helpful and quick to reply to questions for shows. We got bottle service for my birthday and it’s something me and my friends will do again for sure!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hadiya Jutt
The most uncomfortable overpriced and disgusting place I've been to. Wouldn't say it's so much the establishment but the creeps it attracts. By far the most traumatizing bar experience, worse than back alley even
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Aaron Hill
The drink prices are bonkers but the stage provided good sound and the staff was excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Marina McDonald
Deeply disappointing experience with the bouncer at the SNRK concert that left me feeling humiliated embarrassed and disrespected. As a 4’10 girl I was caught off guard when the bouncer aggressively approached me.
I was genuinely confused and startled by his hostility. There was no line outside, and no staff outside. My boyfriend and I had parked nearby and not seen a staff member outside for a few minutes. I gently opened the door, and poked my head in only to be immediately berated by the bouncer who cussed me out and repeatedly called me, and then my boyfriend, “stupid”.
Ironically, when two people came up behind me and did the same thing the bouncer was completely understanding and apologetic.
While the concert itself was fantastic, I have no plans of returning. I felt intimidated and humiliated.
Jj Flower
I really did want to like this place. But Everytime I go in I get an unsettling vibe, and it’s always from one of the employees. I have never caught her name but she’s super tall short hair. I always feel super uncomfortable in her presence and just like how paintings eyes follow you, that’s how I feel with her. At first I thought oh maybe I know her. Nope never met her in my life. So as sad as it is I will not be coming to a place where the people who should make me feel safe don’t.
Nice interior, nice staff, nice people and great location.
But it would be great if the bar hired a sound engineer.
Someone, who would tune the sound independently of a promo group and playing artists that night. Someone, who would be with people in the middle of the dance floor and hear how the sound system performs. Then tune it on an ipad connected to the system. This person must understand what the system can and can’t do, then adjust things properly.
I’ve been there on a few different events and unfortunately had the same experience. The sound was quite fine until a headliner comes. Then the volume was turned to 120+ (someone just thought it’s cool). The sound clipped so hard so it was impossible to distinguish tones, vocal, bass and highs. It’s interesting how I couldn’t figure out what song is playing even though it was one of my favorite ones, which I listened to 100+ times. Thanks to other people around who started singing so I was like “aaah, that was a song I love”.
Unfortunately, I can’t come and listen to my favorite artists anymore, because that place is the major one for this kind of music. And my wife says she won’t go with me either, because “why? just listen to this sound mess and ruin the night?”.
Guys, not everyone comes to just hang out and drink with friends. There are people who come to listen to their favorite artists and music on a big stage, with a big sound, a dance floor and nice people around. And I suppose that’s the goal of this place.
Things, I mentioned above, are easy to fix, but they will give so much benefit.
I hope someday things will change and I’ll be able to come to Commonwealth again and listen to my favorite music with my dear friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
I was a little worried coming here for new years, because of the reviews. But I'm so glad we did. The staff were amazing!! There was the nicest bouncer at the front door, then when you walked in you were greeted by 2 more awesome staff . Bartenders were quick, and happy. There is actually 3 parts to this bar. The girls bathroom was the best party.We even had our own female bouncer in there. And she was great at the crowd control in there. You guys should set up a beer tub in there , you would make a fortune 😆
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I recently visited Commonwealth Bar and Stage in downtown Calgary, and it was a great experience! The atmosphere was vibrant, with fantastic music and a spacious layout that made the evening enjoyable.
The staff were friendly and attentive, adding to the positive vibe of the place. The live performances were definitely the highlight, showcasing amazing talent that kept the energy levels high throughout the night.
One thing to note is that they charge $5 to keep your jacket inside, and the counter accepts cash only, so be prepared if you’re planning to use this service. The entry fee was slightly higher than average, but for the ambiance and entertainment, it felt worth it. That said, I’d recommend arriving early to avoid long waits at the entrance.
Overall, Commonwealth Bar and Stage is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy a lively night out in Calgary. I’m looking forward to going back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Great little bar for a local show!
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Awful sound quality, don’t worth to visit at all
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 3
Good selection of drinks (expensive but it’s a club) and lots of music and events and usually pretty busy on the weekend. Solid venue especially downstairs
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Would be nice if they opened the whole bar when it's crazy packed
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
fun spot to go out. i've had a good time everytime i've been here.
Went here for a concert, great venue and service was quick!! Will definitely return of the is another artist I would like to see.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Came for a show, lined up way up front and early, and the woman at the front decided their Apple pass ticket machine wouldn’t work and asked me to log into Ticketmaster for the barcodes instead, letting everybody else behind in front of us first.
We insisted on trying the machine after a bit and it actually worked, we lost the front row because of her bad choices. No thanks!
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Great venue for all types of shows. They host some great band shows before they turn it back into a nightclub. The sound system is great, atmosphere is very welcoming and fun! Management is always very helpful and quick to reply to questions for shows. We got bottle service for my birthday and it’s something me and my friends will do again for sure!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The most uncomfortable overpriced and disgusting place I've been to. Wouldn't say it's so much the establishment but the creeps it attracts. By far the most traumatizing bar experience, worse than back alley even
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
The drink prices are bonkers but the stage provided good sound and the staff was excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Deeply disappointing experience with the bouncer at the SNRK concert that left me feeling humiliated embarrassed and disrespected. As a 4’10 girl I was caught off guard when the bouncer aggressively approached me.
I was genuinely confused and startled by his hostility. There was no line outside, and no staff outside. My boyfriend and I had parked nearby and not seen a staff member outside for a few minutes. I gently opened the door, and poked my head in only to be immediately berated by the bouncer who cussed me out and repeatedly called me, and then my boyfriend, “stupid”.
Ironically, when two people came up behind me and did the same thing the bouncer was completely understanding and apologetic.
While the concert itself was fantastic, I have no plans of returning. I felt intimidated and humiliated.
I really did want to like this place. But Everytime I go in I get an unsettling vibe, and it’s always from one of the employees. I have never caught her name but she’s super tall short hair. I always feel super uncomfortable in her presence and just like how paintings eyes follow you, that’s how I feel with her. At first I thought oh maybe I know her. Nope never met her in my life. So as sad as it is I will not be coming to a place where the people who should make me feel safe don’t.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
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