From country bars to house music, Guelph has plenty to offer
Guelph’s nightlife is alive and better than ever with a large variety of bars and clubs available around the city and in its downtown core. Whether you’re into live music or you’re a dancing machine, The Ontarion has you covered with this list of bars and clubs to check out. Honourable mentions go to McCabe’s, Baker Street Station, the Woolwich Arrow, and Bobby O’Brien’s/Opus Lounge.
Palace/Tabu/Trappers Alley
Though they are all in the same building, each of these three spots offers a different experience. Trappers is located on the main floor, often playing hip-hop, throwbacks, and dance music. There is a small dance floor with lots of seating, two bars, wide open windows, and a pool table. Palace is a club located on the top floor that typically plays top 40 music and offers a balcony, a stage, and a large dance floor. Located in the basement below Trappers is Tabu, which hosts house music and cheap drinks. All three spots generally attract students between first and third year.
Royal Electric
Royal Electric is the fancy new bar that replaced Club Vinyl in 2015 and has received phenomenal reviews since its opening. Its wide open dance floor and large beer selection has easily made it one of the most popular places to go dancing downtown. The Royal Electric is a more mature spot that typically attracts a 25+ crowd.
Jimmy Jazz
Jimmy Jazz is one of the oldest bars in Guelph and also the most welcoming. Located on Macdonell Street, Jimmy Jazz is a small, compact place with intimate seating and a quaint stage that often hosts talented, local musicians. Cover is always free and its relaxed atmosphere makes it a great place to grab a beer with some friends.
The Albion Hotel
The Albion is one of the most versatile spots in Guelph. During the week, the Albion offers a delicious day menu, cheap appetizers, and evening drink specials. Come Thursday, this historic fixture kicks off the weekend with a DJ dance party and is famous for its Saturday funk nights.
Doogie’s & Pablo’s
Doogie’s and Pablo’s host live bands at least four days out of the week, while also offering cool events such as open mic and trivia nights. Cover is either cheap or free, and the bands don’t disappoint. Pablo’s arcade games and bar combined with Doogie’s stage and grungy dance floor make for a fun night out.
Van Gogh’s Ear/DSTRCT/DSTRCT Lounge
Stacked on top of each other, Van Gogh’s, DSTRCT, and DSTRCT Lounge are three of downtown Guelph’s most active live music venues. On the first floor we have Van Gogh’s, which serves delicious food all day (courtesy of Salsateria) and hosts a friendly bar atmosphere at night. Located on the second floor is DSTRCT, which hosts a ton of bands, most commonly punk rock and metal. The top floor is home to DSTRCT Lounge, which often offers anything from hip-hop and R&B, to EDM and house music. Be sure to catch these venues during their annual Battle of the Bands competition and the GAIN Music and Arts Festival.
Frank & Steins
Frank’s is usually packed on a Friday and Saturday night, with a long line of eager bar-goers trailing out the front door, but this is a solid option for a Guelph pub. Clearly a popular choice among students, this pub switches between live bands, DJs, and top 40 music.
The Stampede Ranch and The Western Hotel
Located on Woodlawn Road, The Ranch is a big country bar with a large dance floor and tons of space, and tends to reach capacity Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. For those looking for a country bar experience but don’t want to venture far, The Western is a newer bar and is located in downtown Guelph. Both provide a fun country bar atmosphere, while The Western sometimes switches between country music and top 40. Both bars are roomy and serve up a tasty menu during the day.
Brass Taps
Located on campus in the University Centre, the Brass Taps hosts live music, trivia nights, and other events throughout the week. This spot is great for a relaxed night of pool and beer, and is perfect for anyone who lives close to the campus or needs a study break. Tip: U of G hosts a lot of great bands (such as Tokyo Police Club) in Peter Clark Hall, and these bands often hang out at Taps before and after the show—you never know who you’re going to see!
Silence
If you’re an artsy type and looking for something different, Silence is Guelph’s best kept secret. Silence is an independently owned communal space that offers its services to the Guelph community for affordable prices. On the weekends, a ton of live music happens here, and not your typical bar bands. If you’re looking for something different and eager to discover new, experimental music and art, Silence is perfect for you.
The eBar
The eBar is a hub for local music, a tour stop for many Canadian and American bands, a poetry bar, a hip-hop club, and a comedy spot. This bar is very versatile and always has a list of exciting events happening each week. The eBar is also attached to The Bookshelf, which serves as a movie theatre, restaurant, and bookstore simultaneously.