The Beaver Bar – Banff

This is the smallest/​loudest bar I’ve ever stepped into. Wow. The combination of drunk twenty-​somethings and a lot of glass is the issue, I’m sure. The drinks are definitely cheap and you can be guaranteed entertainment from people watching.
I specifically came here for the karaōke and I ended up with a free shooter for singing. My friend and I were the oldest in the room by a solid 15−20yrs, but the crowd embraced us and it was all good. The karaōke host was a smart, young guy and super friendly. The dudes who felt they needed to spontaneously strip while singing or dancing around was a bit much and screaming to visit at all times kind of sucked. I’d never been here before and had no desire to find the washroom no matter how badly I needed to use it. We left when our throats were sore from yelling at each other and my bladder was full.
I was told that in summer months, this place is standing room only on karaōke night. I can’t even imagine how loud that would be. Will I go back? Likely never. Would I suggest you visit once just to share the room with some adventurous, international travelers and experience one of their themed evenings? Maybe. I have a good story as a result of my visit.

Best value bar in Banff. hands down! This place is awesome if you want to meet travelers from all over and dance away to a juke box. Super cheap meals every night and awesome staff. I definitely recommend checking it out if you’re in Banff!

After scrounging around the interwebs for decent hotel prices for the month of August, it came to my attention that seasonal prices for hotels were going at $ 300 – 600 dollars a night. So, I managed to find lodging in the form of this hostel and I am glad I did. After a ~1.5 hour drive from Calgary, I tried to check in early but the 8 bed room was not ready and was told to check back in 2 – 3 hours. I left my car in the covered parking area and explored main street, which was only a 10 minute walk from the hostel. When I came back after the check-​in time, I had to wait in line for about 15 minutes, but that was okay. I finally checked in and was given the spiel regarding the free wifi, free breakfast, discounted guided trips, and activities. The latter two I did not have time to check out. When I opened the door the co-​ed room, I was pleasantly surprised I had the room to myself as others hadn’t checked into this room yet, so I had my pick up which bed I wanted. I checked out the washroom and the shower space, toilet, and sink were not bad although the toilet was leaking out water. In terms of amenities, it pretty much is what is more than expected. .. clean sheets, clean pillows, okay washroom. Anyhow, I went back into town to explore and to eat. When I got back all the other 7 beds were now occupied and I only saw my bunkmates, some Chinese and Australian tourists briefly. Anyhow this is the nature of the hostel setting, people come in leave and come back from whatever they are doing from tours or from eating. Needless to say, unless if you are a heavy sleeper you will not get a good sleep with all the activity. I only managed to eat breakfast once and it was decent. You make your own pancakes and heat your own oatmeal. Overall, it’s a decent hostel and I would recommend it if you are just passing through Banff.

Hubbie and I went there to take a break from all of the $ 17 cheeseburgers in town! Nothing special, just super laid back, got some chicken parm for $ 6.50 and shots of a crazy new liqueur made from coca leaves! Looks like a fun and interesting crowd too.

This place SUCKS! The beaver is a racist place to go to I went there with a friend and the only reason her and I went there was because of the $ 6.00 meal and there drinks were very cheap and her and i were on a budget si we tried there Hawaiian & ham pizza which they said was homemade fresh it was the nastiest pizza ive ever had it looked like road kill there drinks were watered down, now I know why it was so cheap in price, but what ticked me off was at the end of the night when the bill came, on the bill you identified us as a Mexican couple just because we were the only dark skin people in your shit hole establishment how dare you!!! I am a U.S. citizen and my friend is a Canadian who was born in El Salvador which if I recall is not in Mexico maybe next time your racist staff should ask where a person is from instead of right off the bat categorize us as a Mexican couple just because our skin is brown or better yet maybe numbering your tables would be alot simpler dont you think! Oh wait you have to have a brain and not be ignorant to know something like that then again what should I know im only a Mexican Your place gets no star from me… by the the way your dumb drink Awga is spelled wrong its Agua and its nothing fancy to put on your menu all it is a wanna be imitation of a Jagger Bomb