Went with some girlfriends for a drag show and ended up dancing until the wee hours of the morning!
Louis Lisbonis
I was accused of using a fake ID when I presented my Colorado driver’s permit. The bouncer said he had never seen one before, claimed it was obviously fake, and told me I was lucky he was even giving it back. I had to ask for a manager and show photos of my passport and U.S. visa on my phone. After waiting outside for about 25 minutes, I was finally allowed in. Even after allat, the bouncer still said he wasn’t fully convinced and that I was “lucky.” I would have happily given this place a 5-star review if the bouncer hadn’t jumped to conclusions so quickly, or at least asked for a second opinion before accusing me. Please provide better training for your staff—this situation could have easily escalated, and it would have sucked to have to involve the police just to get my real ID back.
Kevin Swayzie
How much do you pay at the doors
Christine Chuyko
The drag show was incredible. Great atmosphere, drinks and venue.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Kayla Bigras
Super disappointed with the new direction from management. The shows are fantastic but the MANDATORY coat check you MUST PAY FOR is ridiculous. I was told I could leave my coat in the car...babe, we live in a winter climate. Absolutely not. I literally didn't get anything from the bar, I was so mad.
If you're going to demand I leave my coat with you then it better be free. Additionally, after I got my jacket back I literally turned around and walked back into the club, and the bag check was minimal, so obviously it's not about security but a cash grab. And what's with all the straight people? Yeah, you can hang out but you better be cool with the gays cause this SHOULD be our place.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Calgary reviews
i used to love going to this bar with my friends to dance ,there are amazing performers, and bartenders, and security, even the bussing staff are so fun to talk to, we went so often they even knew us by name and had genuinely some of the best nights out here. but as of late the music has been egregiously bad. we will dance to pretty much anything but we went on saturday dec 6th and more often then not the DJs on both floors are playing mid tempo EDM remixes of B side pop songs with awkward transitions and almost no thought for rhythmic interpolation. but mr/mrs/xr DJ sometimes you just need to play the club banger and let it be appreciated for what it is, maybe throw a little mix in between choruses or songs that don’t render them completely un recognizable and un danceable. every DJ has an off track or even an off night, but a good DJ will know that if there’s no one dancing… maybe change it up. i’m so sorry to say we will be trying out other establishments until we hear the music has gotten better.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 5
Julian Martin
This club is fun, but it can be pretty... Meh at times. Hit or miss
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
char
i love this bar
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rye
Nathan is one of the best servers i’ve ever experienced!! genuinely such an amazing addition to twisted
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Calgary Alberta
I’ve been coming to Twisted Element since I was 18. I’m 34 now. Back then, it was fun and had a unique soft drag-bar aesthetic downstairs—chandeliers, seating, and an inviting, comfortable vibe of a welcoming gay bar. Sadly, the atmosphere has shifted a lot, and not for the better.
Now it feels more grungy and dungeon-like. The chain decor and terrible flashing LED lights that replaced the chandeliers seem to be have installed for Halloween party and never taken down. The bathrooms are in HORRENDOUS condition—broken fixtures, flimsy stalls, awful sewer smells, and harsh after-2am-style lighting that makes the whole experience unpleasant and sobers you up and has you questioning why you are there. They desperately need a full renovation.
Upstairs, things aren’t much better. The DJ has seen better days, the floors are sticky, and service at the upstairs bar is very poor. I was even served a flat drink right out of the bottle, and when I politely mentioned it, I got attitude instead of a fix. The pool tables are fine, everything is sectioned off to make it feel busier than it is.
The culture and energy of the place just isn’t what it used to be. Unless changes are made soon, I worry what’s going to happen to this venue. I just want it to get back to the Twisted vibe we all knew and loved. I’d have no problem coming back time after time if it was improved.
I will say, the patio was nice addition option during pride.
Love this club but ever since they’ve gotten new staff it’s just SO UNCOMFORTABLE. First of all your staff Desmond? Doesn’t know how to de escalate a situation, I’ve seen him scream at so many patrons it’s crazy, is he manager??
Alyssa M
I don’t think I’ve ever given a rating to a club before but I couldn’t not. First of all I love how they had seats for the drag show and the entertainment and the way they engaged the crowd and giving shots that was so fun. One of my highlighted memories for sure.
I haven’t been out in a while but I’ll definitely be going back thank you for an awesome time.
Only thing is the club gets so hot :(
V freeman
These folks definitely deserve the love and praise the community brings to it. My drink was on point handmade pretty fast. I can definitely see why so many people told me I should definitely check this out before I leave Calgary. The Duel DJs gave variety to each dance floor
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recca
We always go here and visited as this is the only good gay bar in alberta
Went with some girlfriends for a drag show and ended up dancing until the wee hours of the morning!
I was accused of using a fake ID when I presented my Colorado driver’s permit. The bouncer said he had never seen one before, claimed it was obviously fake, and told me I was lucky he was even giving it back. I had to ask for a manager and show photos of my passport and U.S. visa on my phone. After waiting outside for about 25 minutes, I was finally allowed in.
Even after allat, the bouncer still said he wasn’t fully convinced and that I was “lucky.” I would have happily given this place a 5-star review if the bouncer hadn’t jumped to conclusions so quickly, or at least asked for a second opinion before accusing me. Please provide better training for your staff—this situation could have easily escalated, and it would have sucked to have to involve the police just to get my real ID back.
How much do you pay at the doors
The drag show was incredible. Great atmosphere, drinks and venue.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Super disappointed with the new direction from management.
The shows are fantastic but the MANDATORY coat check you MUST PAY FOR is ridiculous. I was told I could leave my coat in the car...babe, we live in a winter climate. Absolutely not. I literally didn't get anything from the bar, I was so mad.
If you're going to demand I leave my coat with you then it better be free.
Additionally, after I got my jacket back I literally turned around and walked back into the club, and the bag check was minimal, so obviously it's not about security but a cash grab.
And what's with all the straight people? Yeah, you can hang out but you better be cool with the gays cause this SHOULD be our place.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
i used to love going to this bar with my friends to dance ,there are amazing performers, and bartenders, and security, even the bussing staff are so fun to talk to, we went so often they even knew us by name and had genuinely some of the best nights out here. but as of late the music has been egregiously bad. we will dance to pretty much anything but we went on saturday dec 6th and more often then not the DJs on both floors are playing mid tempo EDM remixes of B side pop songs with awkward transitions and almost no thought for rhythmic interpolation. but mr/mrs/xr DJ sometimes you just need to play the club banger and let it be appreciated for what it is, maybe throw a little mix in between choruses or songs that don’t render them completely un recognizable and un danceable. every DJ has an off track or even an off night, but a good DJ will know that if there’s no one dancing… maybe change it up. i’m so sorry to say we will be trying out other establishments until we hear the music has gotten better.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 5
This club is fun, but it can be pretty... Meh at times. Hit or miss
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
i love this bar
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nathan is one of the best servers i’ve ever experienced!! genuinely such an amazing addition to twisted
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve been coming to Twisted Element since I was 18. I’m 34 now. Back then, it was fun and had a unique soft drag-bar aesthetic downstairs—chandeliers, seating, and an inviting, comfortable vibe of a welcoming gay bar. Sadly, the atmosphere has shifted a lot, and not for the better.
Now it feels more grungy and dungeon-like. The chain decor and terrible flashing LED lights that replaced the chandeliers seem to be have installed for Halloween party and never taken down. The bathrooms are in HORRENDOUS condition—broken fixtures, flimsy stalls, awful sewer smells, and harsh after-2am-style lighting that makes the whole experience unpleasant and sobers you up and has you questioning why you are there. They desperately need a full renovation.
Upstairs, things aren’t much better. The DJ has seen better days, the floors are sticky, and service at the upstairs bar is very poor. I was even served a flat drink right out of the bottle, and when I politely mentioned it, I got attitude instead of a fix. The pool tables are fine, everything is sectioned off to make it feel busier than it is.
The culture and energy of the place just isn’t what it used to be. Unless changes are made soon, I worry what’s going to happen to this venue. I just want it to get back to the Twisted vibe we all knew and loved. I’d have no problem coming back time after time if it was improved.
I will say, the patio was nice addition option during pride.
Restaurantji Recommends
Love this club but ever since they’ve gotten new staff it’s just SO UNCOMFORTABLE. First of all your staff Desmond? Doesn’t know how to de escalate a situation, I’ve seen him scream at so many patrons it’s crazy, is he manager??
I don’t think I’ve ever given a rating to a club before but I couldn’t not. First of all I love how they had seats for the drag show and the entertainment and the way they engaged the crowd and giving shots that was so fun. One of my highlighted memories for sure.
I haven’t been out in a while but I’ll definitely be going back thank you for an awesome time.
Only thing is the club gets so hot :(
These folks definitely deserve the love and praise the community brings to it. My drink was on point handmade pretty fast. I can definitely see why so many people told me I should definitely check this out before I leave Calgary. The Duel DJs gave variety to each dance floor
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We always go here and visited as this is the only good gay bar in alberta
This bar is cute, good music, very weak pours.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
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