Twisted Element

I am reformatting this review so it makes more grammatical sense. Keep in mind, the last time I «had the pleasure» of going to Twisted was 2012.
So back in 2012, I would barhop between Sapien and Twisted. I preferred Sapien to Twisted.
When Sapien announced closure, mud was slung and I had said something to the effect that I felt awkward and unwelcome at Twisted and that it wasn’t a good thing for LGBT Calgary as it was. I then received a message in my inbox from a random employee telling me the owners had banned me.
In my original review, the only one big thing I had said was Twisted’s downfall was it’s constant bullying and the cliquey attitude of its patrons.
In the years since, I’ve been told I was banned because I threatened to kill members of staff (totally untrue). One owner has messaged me on Facebook MULTIPLE times with stupid petty comments.
People need to stop supporting Twisted and it’s ownership. If they played nice in the sandbox I’d have no qualms with it. It’s so bad that LGBT communities in cities such as Vancouver & Seattle are well aware of what the saga is here and think it’s insane. In those cities, there’s no issues with gay venues working with each other. Here, Twisted will attack an event that happens once a year because it’s held in a «non-​gay» space.

Music was OK, many different areas to hang out. Straight friendly so its cool for me

Went here since I’m transgender and figured id have fun– I was having fun until I was taking a selfie video of myself dancing and owner tells me I gotta leave– that people are complaining — that’s a prime example of discrimination– plus his breathe wreaked of gingivitis– he was like grade D gay–
I had a short dress on and I think my garter was exposing and that was a no no– don’t come here if you want to have fun– I’m going to try stripper bar tonight– hopefully they aren’t as uptight–
I would say skip it if you’re gay and try grindr– if your trAns go anywhere but here.

I would have had a great time if I wasn’t accosted by the security when I first arrived. I asked if I needed to show ID before entering and he didn’t answer. When I asked again he grabbed my ID stamped me and called me a cunt. I’m from out of town and I’m never coming back because of this douche bag and letting everyone it know not to go there.

Best club in town. Twist appeals to ANY crowd– gay, straight and everybody in between. The drag shows are an absolute entertainment. The alternative club scene is a little lacking in the city but goddamn, Twist is overflowing with happiness and good times.
No cover. Friendly staff. Cheap coat check. Reasonably priced drinks. And glitter… everywhere.
Outstanding! Great work, guys.

Can I rate this hell-​pit zero stars?
The owner is a total d-​bag, the in house queens are all awful, and their choice in long weekend entertainment (Wendy Ho) is ABYSMAL. They all talk up the bar on their facebook accounts, when in reality, it needs to meet head on with a wrecking ball. I’ve been offered drugs by a bartender, and on more than one occasion, I’ve had a full drink removed from my table in the basement, WHILE i’m sitting there. Horrible bar, horrible staff, horrible experience.

I have been here too many times to count. Mostly for Sunday night’s drag shows, but on the odd occasion I’ve ended up here on a Friday or Saturday night. The staff for the most part is very friendly, the venue is very much a typical night club upstairs and a nice little lounge downstairs. They do karaōke downstairs on Sunday nights. I’ve attended some events for charity down there as well. It’s mostly red inside. Dark. The music played is danceable. The drag shows are fun fun fun! The drinks on Sundays are cheaper, otherwise it’s pricey. No cover which is a bonus, but mandatory coat check.
I always have a good time here. I prefer the Sunday nights as opposed to Friday or Saturday. I feel kinda old on those nights.

Oh my God. Why has it been over a year since I’ve been here last?! Unacceptable.
Last night was some of the most fun I’ve had in ages. As well, everyone that works at Twisted Element (or used to!) is incredibly nice. Maybe you have to pass a niceness test before getting hired there! They’re all so friendly and made last night awesome. Even more so with their «Awesome Berry» concoction that they whipped up for Sabz, Wendy and me!
There’s no cover charge, you can sing anything you want at karaōke — staff sings too and they are wonderful and talented! If they don’t have it in the book, they’ll find it for you on YouTube. There’s also a «straight boys must sing topless» rule. If you have the guts to do it; your reward is some friendly cat-​calling, construction worker whistles, RJ singing you torch songs, and possibly a free drink (or two). Don’t quote me on that, the rule might change!
I hope it doesn’t though, because it’s the best rule ever. I think I may need to implement it for my at-​home Magic Mic parties.
And! just before midnight on Sunday… a drag show that is guaranteed to make your face fall off, either from laughing so hard or your jaw dropping when one of the queens somersaults and lands in a split. The performers are different every Sunday, but it’s pretty much a guaranteed hour of awesome.

I was brought here by a work function «Gay Bash» which is basically a night on the town for all my co-​workers regardless of sexual orientation.
I can’t remember the last time I had that much fun at a bar. I don’t do bars anymore, but I had a blast! Great music, decently priced drinks and was just an all around fun time.
As well it was nice to not have to pay an atrocious cover. I will be here again for sure!

That was fun! Let’s do it again. Do what again? Why head in for the drag show on a Sunday night only to find out there’s also karaōke in the basement before hand.
I had never been to Twisted Element, nor had I experienced a drag show outside of watching The Birdcage a few too many times. Upstairs seemed like any normal night club on a Sunday. Big dance floor, very empty. As soon as we walked in, we were told that everyone was downstairs. The basement looked nothing like the main floor. A couple of cozy booths, cute plush chairs surrounding tables making an intimate, loungey atmosphere. A bar off to the side and a stage up front, a handful of patrons had already kicked off some songs.
This karaōke sesh was so much easier on the ears than a lot of the other spots I’ve hit up in C-​town. These people can sing, and sing well! Tiffany N included. The song selection wasn’t the biggest there is in Calgary, but there was enough to peruse from in the binders. And the host informed us he might very well have a song in the computer if we couldn’t find what we were looking for in the books. As Tiffany mentioned, we got bumped on our last couple of songs for two of the cast members from Wicked. But OMG-I’d sooner here their voices over my own any day. What a treat!
With the end of karaōke, the crowd moved upstairs for the drag show. Is there a rule that says only men can be drag queens? They looked like they were having a helluva-​good time up there, with their big hair wigs, glamourous gowns and lip-​syncing to some toe-​tappin’ tunes. The show lasted just over an hour, although 1130 is a late start for a Sunday night show, that didn’t detract from the fun that was my Sunday Eve.
A+ Twisted Element!

This is [absolutely] the most [elaborate] nightclub I have ever been too! Awhile ago I went out with a group of female friends there, and we decided to check out the Mama Kim show. It was sure interesting, very good costumes and music. I really like the GLBT community & culture, since they are very friendly and accomodating :)
The Mama Kim show was in the basement part of this club, but after that was over, we went back up the steep stairs we came down and one of my friends dragged me out onto the dance floor where all the action was. I must say it was verrry crowded, so we mostly stayed by the sidelines, and yet I still got painfully bumped in the nose and had a lot of fun trying to make my way to the bathroom to clean up. I was very flattered that complete strangers came to help when they suspected a nosebleed. Too bad most people outside of the GLBT community aren’t as nice.
All in all, I considered that evening to be a very eye-​opening cultural experience. Yes, I did just say that I found culture in a nightclub: P

A group of us headed over here a few weekends ago. We were in the mood for good music, reasonable pricing, and a helluvah lot of dancing. Enter The Twisted Element.
The crowd and staff were super friendly, and my fave part of the evening was the free drag show in the basement. Everyone got really into the performances and the performers were very talented.
After the show wrapped, we headed back upstairs to bust a move and the music kept us on the dance floor non-​stop. Speaking of dancing, there was an impressive number of *AHHHH-​MAZING* dancers at this place!
Like Katie C., I also appreciate that at Twisted, there’s no need to worry about creepy people and ‘wandering hands.‘
Just a heads up: the bathrooms are co-​ed, so if you see the opposite sex wandering around in the background, hopefully I’ve saved you from having ‘a moment’ and thinking you accidentally wandered into the wrong restroom.
The music, the lights, the crowd, the staff and the free shows ensure that everyone (regardless of your sexual orientation) will have a great night. Enjoy!

Not getting groped at while dancing in public really makes my night. Throw in some great music and some of the best dancers I have ever seen and you’re pretty much guaranteed a great night. I love that twisted is «straight-​friendly» so you get a friendly mix of everybody — truly everybody is welcome. The drinks are great, the layout of the club is nice and open and the service is friendly.
Let me amend my «no groping statement»: There is a huge difference between some random creep copping a feel and a friendly arm squeeze from a man who isn’t quite interested in you like that.
I love it when the drag queens come out in full force, because they are always extra fun. I’d say Twisted is my top dance club in Calgary, just for the celebratory and inclusive atmosphere. Everybody is there to have a good time.

I always have a great time at twisted. Great music later in the evening and throughout the night it’s always danceable, that’s for sure.
The televisions show pictures of near-​naked/​naked men which is kind of obnoxious at times to be honest. This is coming from a gay man. The truth is if you turned off the televisions, it would look like a regular bar.
This is easily one of the best clubs in Calgary.

Let the heavens behold that I actually had a pleasant time at Twisted. I usually curse under my breath in past times leaving the place because the music is so bad BUT tonight it was sensational. Some obscure but wonderful remixes and great 80s stuff.
The drags were On their twisted element tonight. One gal looming over 6 feet something had this lasso number with a small triangle covering his ahemm jewels, it kept me in a quizzy all night, and how can he hide all that junk in such a small space.
Doorman and coat check folks were happy, bartenders were busy and all around good energy, lots of folks this past Saturday of all shapes and sizes.
Of course it doesnt compare to bars in New York, L. A, Paris etc. but it is what we have here and if you haven’t been to a Gay bar, it’s an eclectic buffet of fun and fashion madness and you will not be disentertained.

Holy gay men Batman! Okay, okay, I suppose it’s fair because it is a GAY BAR, but my goodness! If you’re a gay man in Calgary and you need to meet someone, Twisted is by far the only place you should go… period! Gay bar aside, this is one of the best clubs I’ve ever been to. The drinks are reasonable, the music is danceable, and the people are personable… many even a little too much sometimes.
Being a straight girl in the gay bar seems to invite some unwelcome touching. Girls are extremely welcome in the gay bar, but aren’t treated the same as in the regular bars. You will actually have more men’s hands groping your body in the gay bar. Again, probably fair since they are gay!
The cover to get into Twisted is practically nothing, but there is a mandatory coat check now. I don’t really have any problems with coat check, except when you’re a smoker in the winter and then it’s not too convenient. The lines are also usually pretty long, especially later on Friday and Saturday nights.
You may find yourself spending quite a bit of money at this bar, but that’s because you’ll be working away all the booze on the dance floor. They play a wide selection of tunes; a little something for everyone. They have the obvious top 40 hits, some other obvious gay hits, and certain songs you wouldn’t really expect to hear, like rap!
There’s nothing too terrible to say about Twisted. It’s a pretty good time any day of the week. The only real problem is the violating grabs and pinches!

Without question, the trashiest gay bar in Western Canada. and that’s saying something.
— Pointless line-​ups when it’s empty inside
— Terrible drinks
— RUDE service (a bus boy purposely ran into me then told a bouncer to fight me! FIGHT ME? This is a gay bar you psycho twink!)
— Do they only let ugly people in??? Trashy!
I can’t believe this is Calgary’s only gay dance club. What a complete mess.