Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Back to News & Events In Whistler

Nightlife in Whistler | Weekly Events, Trivia Nights, and Live Music (2024 Updates)

a group of people on a stage, partying in Whistler

We know you’ve heard the stories—your friends head off to Whistler for the ultimate vacation, but when they come back, it’s not just the skiing, snowboarding, biking, or hiking they can’t stop talking about. The clubs in Whistler almost always get a mention.

The Whistler night scene is like no other, with countless bars, pubs, and clubs and a unique blend of travellers and locals gravitating towards the busy streets, combining to create a one-of-a-kind party destination. 

Whether you’re looking for a quiet drink after a long day on the mountain or you want to dance until the sun comes up, you’ve come to the right place. 

If you’re in search of the ultimate breakdown of Whistler’s nightlife as well as some super important safety tips for your after-hours endeavours, we’ve got you covered. Check out our guide below for the most important tips and everything else you’ll need to know about Whistler’s nightlife.

The Real Party in Whistler: A Local’s Low-Down

Before we get into some of the best bars, clubs, restaurants, and more to explore in Whistler, we want to make something clear: The Whistler party scene isn’t for the faint of heart. 

The nightlife of Whistler is full of drinking, dancing, and debauchery, and honestly, we wouldn’t want it any other way! If we’re honest, weekends just don’t exist here – because every night is a Saturday night. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, you’re widely accepted into the Whistler party scene. Just make sure you’re buying the first round for everyone.

No, but seriously, the Whistler scene is wild. Are you ready for the perfect Whistler guide to nightlife? You’re not, but we encourage you to try anyway. Grab your group (but first learn what it takes to visit Whistler with a group) and dive right in!

Monday to Sunday | Whistler’s Party Schedule

So, due to recent global events over the past two years, a lot has changed in Whistler, but one thing that hasn’t changed is Whistler’s party spirit. As pubs and clubs begin to ease restrictions, the Whistler party vibes are higher than ever before. 

We’re going to take you through a list of scheduled weekly events so you know exactly where the party is, every night of the week.

Monday 

Forget about those Monday blues. In Whistler, every day is a holiday. Kick off the start of your week at these recurring Whistler events:

Tuesday 

Did you go too hard Monday night but are still craving some social connections, or do you just want to repeat Mondays shenanigans? Then we’ve got you covered:

  • Trivia at RMU
  • Karaoke at Crystal Lounge
  • Bingo Night at Tapleys Pub
  • DJ Gainz at Brandy’s Bar 

Wednesday 

It’s the ‘meekend’ (mid-weekend)! Check out these events to spice up your Wednesday night:

Thursday 

The weekend is so close now, you can taste it. But it’s Thursday, and you know what that means? You don’t have to wait for the weekend because you’re in Whistler, so check out these events:

  • Locals Skate Night at Garfinkels
  • Karaoke at Crystal Lounge (Round Two)
  • DJ Praiz at Brandy’s

Friday 

The weekend is officially begins here, so let’s kick it off in style at these venues:

  • Friday Night Live with Red Chair at Aprés Aprés
  • DJ Gainz at Brandy’s Bar

Saturday 

Weekends in Whistler are what we live for—busy streets and busy bars just waiting for the party to begin. Head to these great venues for Saturday night live music:

  • Local Live Bands at RMU
  • Saturday Night Live with Red Chair at Aprés Aprés
  • DJ TYMetal at Brandy’s

Sunday 

If you’ve found yourself at an event every night of the week, then you’re probably looking for a break—but not tonight! On Sundays, Whistler goes off with these BIG Sunday night sessions:

  • Legendary Patio Parties at The Longhorn Saloon
  • Glow Joes at Moe Joes
  • DJ TYMetal at Brandy’s

The Best Whistler Clubs, Bars & Nightclubs

It’s hard to play favourites, so we won’t. Almost all of Whistler’s nightclubs and party scenes are a can’t-miss, must-see adventure. Check out our list of venues that we think you need to know more about.

Aprés Aprés  

As the venue’s name suggests, Whistler’s newest addition to the nightlife scene is the perfect place to go to extend your aprés ski and is the home of live music in Whistler. With a state-of-the-art sound system, this place will blow your mind and provide Whistler with days of live music and entertainment.

Black’s Pub 

This is what they call the real Whistler. Black’s Pub is the local place for real-life Whistler character, with great food, more than 100 beers from around the world, and beautiful views. A bit more low key than some of the other nightclubs, this pub gives you a laid-back vibe with plenty of delicious drinks.

Buffalo Bills Bar and Grille

women dancing at a club in Whistler.

The more accurate question, is what not to expect.

There’s no doubt about it – if you’re looking for a party, Buffalo Bills Bar and Grill is where it’s at. It’s not for the faint of heart, though. This dangerous mix of dance floors, fireplace lounges, craft cocktails, and tasty bar food will draw you in and keep you there for the entire night! Your trip won’t be an authentic Whistler experience if you miss out on this village staple.

Garfinkel’s Nightclub 

This is the spot for a guaranteed enjoyable time. There’s plenty of fun to go around at Garfinkel’s.

This establishment has been voted the No.1 best nightclub in Whistler, and you won’t want to miss out on the party.

Brandy’s Pub

What you thought was a chill local sports bar quickly transforms into a DJ-centric Apres. Open late, they keep their unique mix of beats going long into the night. Brandy’s caters to crowds who don’t like the mainstream music scene, the top 40 mixtape, the deep house, the club music….You won’t find any of that on most nights at Brandy’s.

Moe Joes

The vibe at Moe Joes brings us back to those epic parties of college life. We love the dark and delirious good times we’ve had here, and we’re sure they will keep coming. Moe Joes has a number of great party nights stacked throughout the long work week and well into the weekend, so it’s hard to choose. If we do say so, it’s hard to stay away, with the consistently great lineup of renowned DJs hitting the decks.

A Few Party Safety Tips

Now that we’ve gone over some of the important notes about the Whistler party schedule and some of our recommendations, we need to talk a bit about the most crucial aspect of Whistler nightlife: safety.

Whistler is a quaint village town where mostly every local knows each other. While it’s a snowy paradise by day, it quickly turns into a raucous party at night. And as with any nightlife scene, and lots of alcohol mixed with partiers from all over, there’s always the potential for risky situations.

Here’s a couple of things we think you should watch out for and take careful note of before hitting the dance floor and downing cocktails in Whistler, BC:

  • The Legal Drinking Age Is 19 

While it’s not the lowest drinking age in the country, many of the people who visit Whistler come from the United States, where the drinking age is 21. In Whistler, you must be just 19 to partake in the enjoyment of adult beverages, leaving lots of room for underage teenagers to get a little too rowdy. Our advice? Be on the lookout for situations that could put you in a bind, and if you’re a 19-year-old who’s enjoying a beer or two, don’t test your limits in an unfamiliar town.

  • Keep an Eye on Your Drink

As you would in any situation, make sure you don’t take your eyes off your drink. If you must leave it momentarily, be entirely committed to getting a new drink when you come back – don’t leave it up to chance! Obviously, this isn’t a Whistler-specific tip, but anytime you’re drinking, even when you’re in a friendly tourist town like Whistler, you should keep your eye on your drink.

  • Pairs Are Good, but Groups Are Best

Don’t go anywhere alone. If you can’t stand the thought of missing out on the Whistler nightlife, that’s no big deal – just make sure you’re not embarking on a nighttime Whistler adventure by yourself. If you can recruit a friend to join you, that’s perfect. A whole group of friends? Even better. There’s safety in numbers! 

What About Whistler Club Crawls? 

*The Whistler Bar Crawl is currently not operating but is set to return soon. Keep a close eye on their website for information on operations starting back.*

For those solo travellers in Whistler, get in touch with Gibbons Bar Hop. If there is not already a party, they are sure to bring it.

Planning a big night out with a group makes everything a bit more entertaining anyway. Plus, you can make an entire evening of it! Start your night off with a beer at Coast Mountain Brewing, and aim for the bullseye at Forged Axe Throwing.

Then team up with our friends at Whistler Bar Hop for a big night out, including stops at four of the main venues in Whistler, pizza from Avalanche Pizza (everyone’s favourite late-night food), five drinks, and VIP access, meaning absolutely no lineups! Plus, axe throwing guests get a great discount! 

What better way to stay safe than a specially catered Whistler party with all your friends?

Whistler’s Party Scene: Roaring Back to Life

As the world opens back up, so too does Whistler. And when Whistler is open, there is surely a party to be found. Before you plan your next visit, check out the local event listings for the most up to date roster of weekly events. From Trivia Nights to local live music to epic sweaty dance floors, clubs in Whistler are just about to get a lot more exciting post COVID-19.