Nightlife in St. Albert

Bacchus Cafe & Wine Bar's rotating menu complements the freshness of ingredients used, many of which are sourced from local suppliers. Visitors rest in a vibrant, art-filled space, lounging like child princes on couches and stools while enjoying delectably prepared tapas. Evening diners nosh on light items, such as an herb-crusted, Italian-style sardine ($6), oven-baked between crusty bruschetta and melty mozzarella, or a truffle oil-kissed mushroom and spinach crostini ($13). Meat-seeking taste buds pen four-verse love-raps for the calamari, prawn, and chorizo, served with sautéed onion, garlic, and peppers ($15), or the spice-marinated bison meatballs, bursting with mozzarella and baked in tomato sauce ($17).

At Rainbow Cinemas & Magic Lantern Theatres, darkened auditoriums with flickering screens draw audiences into magical worlds where fish can talk, motorcycles leap canyons, and love comes even for those who eat crackers in bed. The auditoriums show recent blockbusters at 16 multiplex theatres that spread across Canada, each of which retains its own unique personality and honours any historic roots. In Edmonton, the Princess Theatre?s original 1915 auditorium, complete with balcony, golden drapes, and red walls, accommodates moviegoers with babies or pet hyenas inside a soundproof cry room. In Saskatchewan, the circa-1930 Roxy Theatre preserves the ambience of a Spanish courtyard. As guests find their auditorium at the Rainbow Cinemas Ontario locations, they can admire giant murals by local artist Fred Harrison.

Hudsons Canadian Tap House serves up traditional pub grub infused with a northern point of view. Appetizers challenge hunger's oppressive rule with options including yam fries ($8) and traditional or boneless chicken wings, bathed in house sauces such as Forty Creek whisky barbecue and 4th Degree ($11 for a single order, $20 for a double). The signature steak sandwich tops a flame-grilled, 7-ounce Certified Angus Beef sirloin with sweet-onion twigs, then clutches it between toasted garlic panini ($10), and the fish 'n' chips ($15) silences any lingering stomach growls by piling hulking slabs of flaky haddock atop golden fries. Though not included in today's deal, patrons can slake their thirst and muster the courage to yodel at an attractive stranger with frosty mugs of beers across Canada, ranging from Alberta's own Alley Kat Aprikat wheat ale to Quebec's St. Ambroise oatmeal stout.

As the puck swoops into the net, the dining room’s occupants simultaneously erupt into howls of victory and clink their glasses with joy. While every game is different, such an energy-filled evening is hardly a rarity at Sportsman's Club, thanks to its fleet of TVs airing all manner of sporting events, from UFC fights to pay-per-view Oilers games. To fuel gruelling cheering sessions, the chefs whip up gourmet burgers, classic sandwiches, and fried snacks as bartenders quench thirsts with frothy pints. Pool sharks assemble around the billiards tables, which can be transformed into ping-pong tables with the addition of a removable overlay or beds with the addition of a pillow and blanket. The outdoor patio accommodates alfresco dining.

Stranded by bad weather in Scotland's rugged hills, an 18th-century shepherd might have taken refuge in a bothy—a small, quaint hut—to wait out the storm. Inspired by that image, the owners of The Bothy create the same sense of warmth and refuge by offering guests warming drinks and hearty, sumptuous cuisine. House specialties include savoury steak pies, haggis that Edmonton Journal described as "first rate and beautifully oat-ey," and plates of cheese and charcuterie to pair with wine and Scotch whisky. Wood accents and earthy colours set an inviting scene at both the Calgary Trail location and the newer location on 124th Street.