A visit to Commonwealth Bar

If you want to play with the big boys, you've got to bring the proper equipment. It is refreshing to see a bar open up in Calgary that is trying to do things a little different. Upon entering, it is easy to see they spared no expense during the construction of the commonwealth. It's hard to believe that this is the same space where The Warehouse once stood.

So, what does different entail? Well the clear highlight is the literal wall of sound located on the top floor, where many a band or DJ are sure to perform. Another unique feature is the smattering of found art pieces scattered throughout the various bars. Some might consider them to be a bit creepy, and they might be right, but they sure are neat to look at.

Heading downstairs you can see pig chains (that's a thing right?) lit up by dim, old-school incandesecent lights. In the downstairs bar, there is a more understated longue with a slightly strange art piece featuring a flock of crows located in the centre of the bar. 

Most people don't go to bars to check out the bathroom, but the bathrooms at commonwealth are defintely unique and give off that New York subway vibe. The mensroom in particular has a communal hand washing trough, kind of like what one would see in a factory from the 1940's. I just hope that a drunken patron doesn't inadvertantly (or advertantly) take a piss in it -- a distinct possibility to be sure.

The entrance leads to the mainfloor lounge where you can sample their wide selection of beers. I tried three different beers, the IPA, a Lemon Tea beer of sorts, and another that has slipped my mind. I'm a bit of a cheap drunk these days. Anyway, my favourite was the IPA, which had a bit of lychee flavour to it along with an ass-kicking 6.9% alcohol content to boot. 

As for the menu, I went for the Greens, a refreshing, asian-inspired salad consisting of snow peas, bean sprouts, tofu and wasabi peas. I'm not about to claim myself as a foodie, but it was delicious! Anyway, I think it's worth stopping by and checking it out for yourself. You can always head back to the Ship and Anchor tomorrow!