Best Place to Dance: Twisted Element

photography by Neil Zeller

Twisted Element

A safe haven for the community, Twisted Element is the absolute Best Place to Dance in Calgary. Since 2004, this gay nightclub has had two floors of bumping music and flashing lights to keep people partying all night long. With karaoke downstairs, amateur strip night, a contagious dance vibe and great queens, Twisted always had something fun and inclusive going on that you just needed to be part of.

Just like countless other Calgary businesses, COVID-19 impacted Twisted Element greatly as they shut down for three months and completely changed their business model. The bar will remain a safe space for the gender- and sexually-diverse community of Calgary, but the owners here have revisited the vision associated with their nightclub's future. The shutdown has allowed Twisted to re-establish itself as a LGBTQ safe haven community hub and space, with the plan to return to their former nightclub glory when regulations allow in the future.

So for now, you can support Twisted Element, soon to be Twisted Pride Pub, by visiting their newly-established community hub seven days a week, complete with a network of local food trucks as well as food and drink service for tables of up to six people. As Twisted will not be operating as a nightclub for the time being, the music will be at a lower volume, social distancing measures are in place and dancing will not be permitted. Information such as hours of business and offerings may change, so make sure to check back on the Twisted website to stay up-to-date before you head on down.

FIRST RUNNER UP: THE HIFI CLUB

SECOND RUNNER UP: BROKEN CITY