Where to go after dinner. Live jazz, a dance floor that isn't a college club, a heated patio with a view, and something good to eat at 1 am. For cocktails and speakeasies, see Cocktails and Wine Bars.
A prohibition-style cocktail bar with a stage on Inglewood's Music Mile, booking serious jazz most weekends. It's also home to Carly's Angels, Calgary's longest-running drag show.
Pro tip: Sets usually start around 7:30. Buy tickets ahead on Eventbrite.
1413 9 Ave SE · Map for The Attic Bar & Stage
Around 400 shows a year of jazz, folk, roots and singer-songwriters. No tickets: the cover goes on your bill.
Pro tip: Reserve a table for dinner and the show.
1229 9 Ave SE · Map for Ironwood Stage & Grill · Website for Ironwood Stage & Grill
The legendary blues hotel, restored by the National Music Centre next door at Studio Bell. Local and touring acts Thursday to Saturday nights.
Pro tip: Monday's all-star house band night is the locals' secret.
438 9 Ave SE · Map for King Eddy · Website for King Eddy
A small, speakeasy-style cocktail room with live jazz and French bites like baked brie. New this year, and a lovely way to end a night downtown.
Pro tip: Call ahead for the jazz schedule.
811 1 St SW · Map for L'Apres · Website for L'Apres
ODB's dinner-and-jazz series, with a live trio, dinner and drinks in the market's cozy room. Each volume has a theme. November 13 is A Tribute to Wu-Tang, the hip-hop classics played as jazz.
Pro tip: Book through OpenTable and pick the 6:30 or 8 pm set. An easy, different date night.
1507 29 Ave SW · Map for We've Got The Jazz! at Our Daily Brett · Website for We've Got The Jazz! at Our Daily Brett
A disco, snack bar and vinyl lounge with resident DJs spinning disco, funk, soul and house on a big dance floor. Otto, a tiki bar, is downstairs. The grown-up dance night you've been looking for.
Pro tip: Happy hour runs Thursday to Sunday from 5 to 7.
715 11 Ave SW · Map for Sweet Loretta · Website for Sweet Loretta
An elevated lounge tucked beneath a heritage building just off Stephen Avenue, with vintage furniture, century-old brick walls and DJs on weekend nights. Old-world glamour with a dance floor.
Pro tip: Check their Saturday lineup and buy tickets ahead for the bigger nights.
Lower level, 200 8 Ave SW · Map for Sub Rosa
Two floors in a converted warehouse with different music on each. It skews younger on a regular weekend, so pick a theme night.
Pro tip: Boogie Down Broadway, the singalong dance party, is the one to go to.
731 10 Ave SW · Map for Commonwealth Bar & Stage · Website for Commonwealth Bar & Stage
A heated rooftop patio behind seven-foot glass walls, with skyline views and a cocktail-led menu. Made for a date night.
525 5 Ave SW, 27th floor of The Dorian · Map for The Wilde on 27 · Website for The Wilde on 27
A licensed lounge by the pool. From fall to spring a dome goes up and keeps it at 24 degrees, so you can sip something tropical in November.
119 12 Ave SW · Map for Poolside at Hotel Arts · Website for Poolside at Hotel Arts
A deep by-the-glass wine list and a rooftop over the treetops of 4th Street, first come, first served.
Pro tip: The rooftop is seasonal. In winter, settle in downstairs.
2310 4 St SW · Map for Vin Room Mission · Website for Vin Room Mission
Dim sum, fried yee mein and dumplings long after the bars close. The industry's favourite late-night stop for years.
233 Centre St S, #201 · Map for U & Me
Sizzling rice, chow fun and big portions, steps from the 11th Avenue bars.
555 11 Ave SW, #101 · Map for Singapore Sam's
Proper Halifax donairs, garlic fingers and lobster rolls for the walk home.
2120 4 St SW · Map for Blowers & Grafton
About 20 cocktails, many on tap, plus cheddar perogies and a cheeseburger that hits the spot at midnight.
224 12 Ave SW, #110 · Map for Central
Also late: Native Tongues in the Beltline serves tacos until 1 am on weekends, Bridgette Bar's kitchen runs until 1 am Friday and Saturday, and Kim Anh is open until 3 on weekends.