Pablos Calgary — Restaurant in Calgary

This venue is ridiculous. You pay to enjoy a party, but upon entering, there's no space for everyone. There are empty spaces with tables and booths, but there's an extra charge to use these areas. There are more staff members concerned with keeping us away from these areas than staff ensuring that the bathrooms are clean.

Expensive beer. Warm. Poor service.

The dress code is completely subjective... there were people wearing sports jerseys, women with all kinds of outfits, yet my friend was told he couldn't enter because his pants had a drawstring. I, too, had a drawstring, but I wasn't stopped from entering.

We got in. I had a small backpack with my belongings. This backpack was searched multiple times, so it was seen by all the security guards at the entrance. Despite the posters displaying coat check information, and despite the temperature being 8 degrees in Calgary that day, the nightclub did not offer any alternative for what to do with our bags and jackets.

After being informed that I couldn’t use the booths or tables to leave my belongings, I decided to use the floor. Because, again: no alternative was presented to me.

At that moment, I was approached by a male security guard, who told me I should leave the venue and that he would not speak to me. Repeatedly. I asked why I should leave, and then a female security guard appeared and invited me to "talk outside." At that moment, I understood I wouldn't be heard, so I agreed to leave the party. However, I wanted to finish the beer I had paid for.

The manager claims that the bag should not have been allowed inside, which I think is important to note is not my fault, as I was not informed of this. Additionally, the manager believes the security guards "tried to talk" to me, which is untrue. The security guards were very aggressive. They didn't allow me to film, even though we were already outside, pointing their flashlight at my phone (I have images proving this).

At that point, the security guards started to become violent and took the phones from our hands, which were being used to record their excessive reaction. I have photos and videos showing this and of the clothes that were torn as we were removed from the nightclub.

I and everyone who was with me were kicked out of the party. Violently. I would at least like an apology and a refund for the entry fee, considering that, due to multiple communication failures and misconduct by the venue, we were prevented from staying at the party, which, by the way, was overcrowded and quite bad.

I'm sure there are images that can be recovered. I suggest the venue owners do so, to see their employees' conduct. You will never see...

Time for some constructive criticism!

So a bunch of friends and I had reserved "the gold room" for a birthday gathering with bottle service and the works. First getting there was fine as we had reservations so we skipped the line (after explaining a few times that we had reservations to the grumpy gent at the door). We went back to the far back room (which is fine) and the room was set up nicely, HOWEVER, the music was so very very loud from the general dance floor we could barley converse with one another without screaming into each others ears (maybe a sound barrier curtain at the entry to the room would be an appropriate addition). The room was also extremely hot, but that was ok as they provided a single rotating floor fan, to which we found ourselves all kind of standing in front of whilst sweating like crazy. After some more cocktails and sweating, a few of us needed to go outside for fresh air to cool off, for some reason we were instructed the "go to the back of the line for re-entry" from the same grumpy guy at the door. we politely explained that we were in the gold room and have bottle service and such and that the rest of our party was currently still in our room, but that didnt go anywhere fast and we had to wait for 45min just to get back to our gathering. (maybe they can ink your had with a vip stamp or something in the future to avoid this for people with private gatherings in the private rooms?) Mr. security guy at the doors was very thorough on the invasive "pat downs" at the doors, yay i felt safe after that nonsense, but was left feeling like i needed breakfast and a cigarette after that. It was indeed a bit much, if theres a next time, i'll be sure to bring a rubber glove for him to just get all in there, before sending me in for the second rub down once inside the doors.

on a positive note though, our two servers were AMAZING, they did everything in their power to keep us all comfortable and happy including talking to the bouncers at the front to see if we could skip the line to get back in quicker when we needed to cool off outside (unfortunately didnt work though) super friendly gals, always smiling which kept our group at ease, they were the stars of the evening for sure!

clearly a popular place, but there is just a few small changes/additions that would take this place from a...

Papi Bar, where do I even begin? Let's just say it's a place where dreams come true, and your wallet cries itself to sleep. But fear not, my friends, because hidden behind that hefty $20 entrance fee lies a world of untapped potential and maybe, just maybe, some "special guests" who may or may not grace your presence.

First of all, let's talk about the atmosphere. As you walk in, you're greeted by an intoxicating mix of sweat, spilled drinks, and the unmistakable scent of broken dreams. Truly a feast for the senses! The dimly lit room adds an air of mystery, making you wonder if you'll stumble upon a hidden treasure or a five-dollar bill someone dropped while trying to escape the hypnotic beats of Pitbull.

Now, let's move on to the "special guests." Ah, the excitement! The thrill of anticipation! Will it be a forgotten '90s pop star attempting a comeback? Or perhaps a famous mime with a mysterious allure? Well, let me tell you, the "special guests" at Papi Bar are about as special as a two-for-one coupon for a day-old hot dog. But hey, they might just surprise you! Just don't hold your breath or anything.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room: the price tag. Twenty whole dollars, my friends! That's like, three fancy coffees or a lifetime supply of dollar store party hats. Is it worth it? Well, if you have money to burn and a desperate need to witness mediocrity in its purest form, then sure, why not? But be warned, you might find yourself questioning all your life choices as you dig deep into your pockets.

But hey, it's not all doom and gloom at Papi Bar. The drinks are reasonably priced if you consider selling a kidney to afford them reasonable and like martinis on tap. And the staff, bless their overworked souls, do their best to keep the illusion of grandeur alive. Just don't ask them too many questions about the "special guests" or you might see a twinkle of regret in their eyes.

In conclusion, Papi Bar is an experience unlike any other. From the questionable ambiance to the elusive "special guests" and the delightfully expensive drinks, it's a rollercoaster ride of emotions and empty pockets. So gather your friends, prepare for disappointment, and embrace the chaos. And remember, sometimes the best memories are made when you're laughing at life's little absurdities,...