Quote: (07-01-2015 09:13 PM)Kamaki4 Wrote:
Quote: (06-30-2015 04:50 PM)holdoncallfield Wrote:
Quote: (06-30-2015 04:13 PM)scotian Wrote:
Quote: (06-30-2015 03:34 PM)holdoncallfield Wrote:
bumping this thread for info on edmonton, moving there for law school. Scotian, any more knowledge bombs to drop?
Well first of all, congrats on getting into the U of A law school, I know that is no easy task.
Myself and some other RVF fellas have been going out and boozing heavily over the past couple of months that I've been back and we have some intel on the Etown scene:
Studio 107: This is the new ethnic or black club or whatever you want to call it, its on 107th street and Jasper Avenue. Its ok, I really liked it the first time that we went there as the DJ was playing a lot of dance hall tunes and the place was crawling with good looking black chicks who were mostly dressed very nice. Then I went there a month ago and the crowd was kinda weird, early on there were a lot more white folks there and the DJ was playing electronic music which I don't care for then a couple of odd B-girl sets were posing on the dance floor and a photographer was taking photos of them. After midnight though the place seemed more like it did the first time I went and the DJ played dance hall again so it was all good, I recommend this place.
Knoxville: As the name suggests, this is a country bar and its attached to Studio 107, so same address. I didn't go in because I hate country music but I saw a lot of cuties in the line out side so if that music is your thing, then you may want to check it out.
Central Social Hall: Just down the avenue at 109 street and Jaspser, some guys like this place, apparently its a good pick up spot but I thought it was fucking gross and the crowd was very odd, basically a trashy representation of every ethnic group in Etown. Also, there were Chinese hookers hanging out at the bar and being very "friendly", I never experienced that before in Canada, it was weird.
On The Rocks: Again , its on Jasper avenue at about 116 street, I only hit this place up on Thurdays when its Latin night, go early on, maybe 9-10 so you can post up at a good spot near the dance floor as it gets full later on. Obviously, they play a lot of Latin tunes such as salsa and merengue, my game is to get drunk and hit on Latina women in Spanish, the talent there is decent but can be hit and miss as it attracts a very mixed crowd age wise.
As you can see, I only go to clubs downtown as its a more mature crowd and the bars on Whyte Avenue kinda suck, but there's still some decent spots to hit up there:
MKT: This place gets packed to the rafters on Thursdays for the cheap beer nights, get there early or call ahead to book a table if you're going with friends. You can get good Belgian draughts like Carolus and Delirium for $5. Very nice, large patio out back and the crowd isn't too young.
O'Byrnes: Typical Irish pub, I think Wednesday is their wing night, that place gets packed too and the patio is a decent size.
Sugar Bowl: Up on 109th near the bridge, its a hipster joint but a decent palce to go for a few beers, they have a great selection there and the food is pretty good.
That's about all I have for night time suggestions, honestly Edmonton doesn't ahve great night life especially if you're coming from a bigger city such as Toronto or Montreal but the locals tend to be pretty friendly. Late August and early September should be a good time for boozing on Whyte Ave when all of the students get back. Here's some day time suggestions:
104 street Market: I hit that up last Saturday, it was nice, various food vendors and people selling locally produced things.
Legislative Grounds: I then walked here and sat on the grass and smoked a big reefer with my buddy, there's people hanging out there on weekends and after work hours, pretty nice spot to chill.
River Valley Walks and Bike Tours: I haven't done this yet but I want to soon, rent a bike for $10/hour and check out the River Valley, apparently its one of North America's largest green spaces: http://www.rivervalleyadventure.com/our-...ke-rentals
Millcreek Pool: This is very close to my place, I went there twice last week with Atlantic and we just hung out, went swimming and checked out the girls walking around in bikinis and tanning, it cost $7 to get in but we just walked right in and no one said anything.
Hawlerak Park: Nice big park with a fair size pond, BBQ pits and picnic tables, bring a frisbee down and hang out, smoke dope, whatever. Make sure you check out the Heritage Festival there in August (1st to 3rd), I highly recommend that: http://www.heritage-festival.com/
Fringe Fest: August 13-23, Its an alternative arts festival, the 2nd largest in the world, I don't care for it too much as there's too many freaks and weirdos but it draws big crowds: https://www.fringetheatre.ca/festival_2015.php
Thats about it off the top of my head, some of the Etown RVF guys know more about the night life scene, so hopefully they'll chip in, I'm often out of town working but get in touch when you reach Edmonton and we'll hit up the ave for some drinks.
Awesome, definitely down to meet up. I'm heading up there for August 1 and I'm currently scoping out a place. I've narrowed down to Garneau/old strathcona, Grandin, and somewhere close to Jasper along the LRT line up to central station. Out of those three areas logistically, which is best for gaming in your opinion? I will be spending a lot of time at school so I will daygame there, but in terms of swooping, taking girls home etc.
A lot of good info from some high rep guys who surprisingly still live in Edmonton. I prefer Grandin or Victoria Promenade to live over any other area in the city. There is nothing wrong with Garneau/Old Strathcona, but you will appereciate living in Grandin especially if you snag an apartment/condo anywhere near 97-100 ave and 110-114 st; excellent logistics for everything. If you can find a unit in Grandin Green (9708 110st), jump on it. The building is solid and the location is prime
I LOL'd at that one, I often ask myself the same question, "why the fuck do I still live here?" The truth is that Etown is still the best medium sized city in the country for a tradesman to work if you compare all of the variables and a good base if you're working up north. I actually haven't been living here steadily over the past few years as I had my condo rented out and I was travelling for several months each year while not working up in the patch. As far as living location goes, I agree with you, downtown is better. When I was looking to buy a condo four years ago, I checked out some of the concrete high rises downtown but didn't like how small they were and didn't like the idea of being stuck in rush hour traffic after work, should I decide to work local. I ended up buying a place at a new, low-rise building very close to Bonnie Doon mall and the Millcreek Ravine, its a decent location and I can get to Whyte Avenue or down town quickly and my employer's shop is close too.
I have a love/hate relationship with the city, I love the money and opportunities that are available here but can't stand the long winters and the lack of nightlife options, Etown can be quite boring. While the climate can't be changed, fortunately the nightlife scene will be improving very shortly with the opening of that new arena downtown, there will be restaurants, hotels and nightclubs there. The city is also expanding LRT routes and opening a station one block from my place in 2017, so if I"m still living in the city by then, I can take the train downtown to get drunk and take it back.
