Calgary is littered with niche spots and cool places that don’t seem to get a lot of recognition within youth friend groups. These popular places are frequented by many Calgarians, but some youth just aren’t aware of them. For those of you planning for an outing with your friends, or if you’re looking for a new spot to explore, this blog post contains a few locations that are worth checking out in Calgary this year.
I used to believe that these places are popular, but speaking with my peers has made me realize that a lot of teenagers in our city aren’t aware of the many opportunities for fun Calgary holds. I always hear complaints about how boring Calgary is, and how there’s no teen-friendly place to hang out. The list I compiled below contains restaurants, locations for entertainment, cool stores, and many others. I’ve been to most of the spots I mentioned, but some I haven’t had the chance to check out yet. Let me know if you’re familiar with any of them!
Many of these places are relatively popular within the area they are located, or are well-known to the population, but not to the youth. For those wanting to find something new to do with your friends in Calgary, this list is for you. Hopefully this diverse selection gives your inspiration for your next outing!
Blackbyrd Myoozik: The Record Store Of Your Dreams
Address: 1126 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2T 0B4
Collecting records and vinyls is an awesome hobby to have, but may be detrimental to your wallet. Blackbyrd’s collection is vast and their records come with fair prices, making it the perfect location for hunting for records with your friends. Despite the location being on the smaller side, their selection is vast and caters to a wide range of music genres. Their collection is easy to look through, and it isn’t a hassle to search for your favourite artist.
This clean and welcoming location is appealing to many youth and adults alike. Reviewers online remark about how great the lighting was and how knowledgeable the staff are. If you can’t find what you need at Blackbyrd, Recordland is also a great record store with many cool photo spots!
Hexagon Board Game Cafe
Address: 1140 Kensington Rd NW #200, Calgary, AB T2N 3P3
This cafe is the perfect spot for hanging out with friends. Visitors can enjoy a nice drink or dessert, and play their favourite board game at the same location! This cafe is a fan favourite, and is typically busy on weekends. You pay around $4.50 per hour per person, with the purchase of an item. According to their website, they have over 1000 games available for visitors to explore. This is one of my favourite places to visit with my friends!
Trapped: Escape Rooms That’ll Leave You Excited To Come Back
Address: 1139 Kensington Rd NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1X7
Right across the street from Hexagon (mentioned above), Trapped has an amazing selection of escape rooms to play with your friends. With a wide range of difficulty levels (although I tried the easier ones and still found them hard), this place is filled with fun. It’s definitely on the pricier side compared to the other locations in this post. The escape rooms are tailored to perfection, and every single detail is very well thought out. The staff are wonderful, and very friendly. They let me and my friends take extra time to finish a room, and provided us with help when we were struggling. There’s a great photo location inside, and they also sell socks and gum with some creative slogans on them…
If you do plan on booking a room, please remember to read the details carefully, especially the age requirements. Some of the scarier games require a paying adult present. You should also check the content warnings, since some rooms are on another level of terrifying and contain live actors that will jumpscare you. Mature themes are also mentioned in the storylines of a few rooms, so make sure you know what you’re getting into!
Regal Cat Cafe
Address: 303 10 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1V8
Like the name suggests, this cafe is for those hoping to enjoy delicious drinks while spending time with their favourite felines! All proceeds from visitors go to helping stray cats in Calgary, which another reason to visit this cafe. The price is $10 per person, and each visit with the cats last 30 minutes. If you are concerned about getting cat hair in your food, don’t stress, because the cats are housed in a seperate room from the cafe.
Their menu is friendly to people with allergies and food restrictions, with gluten, dairy, and egg free options. It’s safe to say that this cafe is open to everyone in your friend group! All the cats you meet are adoptable, meaning you may just find your future feline partner here.
VRCORE: Calgary’s VR Gaming Hub
Address: 2020 32 Ave NE R, Calgary, AB T2E 9A7
VRCORE is a VR (virtual reality) gaming arcade in the NE. You can play with as many as 13 people, and you can pick from a variety of games and escape rooms. It is around $31 per person, and you can even go solo!
VRCORE takes gaming to the next level with its state-of-the-art VR stations. This gaming studio offers a wide variety of games to suit every interest. With its fun and futuristic vibe, it’s the perfect spot for a group of friends looking for an interactive experience. The VR technology allows you to feel fully immersed in each game, making it a thrilling activity that gets your adrenaline pumping. If you’re looking for something unique and exciting in Calgary, VRCORE is a must-visit for a memorable day out with friends!
Wakado Ramen: The Ramen Place For All Your Ramen Needs
Address: 907 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0Z9
I thought I had finally made a decision about my favorite ramen place until I visited Wakado. This restaurant is a quaint little ramen shop in downtown Calgary with an aesthetically-pleasing atmosphere. Although it may not be the best place to visit with a large group, I’ve been there with my close friend and our experience was awesome.
The ambience is wonderful, with warm lighting and ambient music playing in the background. The ramen was delicious and reasonably priced, especially with the filling quantity they give you. Their Chili Goma ramen and Wakado Shoyu ramen truly made me ascend! This restaurant is a 10/10 experience for any of those who are looking for a cute date spot or a nice place to eat with their friends.
Wow! I absolutely adore Wakado Ramen. That is my favourite ramen place. I am so glad it is getting recognition. Thank you for all of your wonderful suggestions!