Broken City is been a hub for all things musically cool in Calgary’s underground entertainment scene. A staple venue for the city’s live, independent music circuit, the intimate room also presents DJ nights and a weekly stand-up comedy evening.
Of Broken City’s storied history, perhaps the strangest tale is how Zak Pashak, also the founder of the Sled Island Music and Arts Festival, opened the nightclub in 2004 after receiving a large sum of money in a court settlement over the ownership of a dog (no joke). A fierce supporter of indie music, he maintained it as a venue for local and touring bands. Even more remarkable is that Broken City has persisted and remained true to its original indie-music vision in a notoriously fickle entertainment market.
“My favourite thing about Broken City is how open it is to everybody. I always thought it was a home for subculture, mainstream rejects,” says Andrew Brassard with a laugh. With Charlie Hinton and Alan Lindsay, the three took over ownership of the club in 2011 and vowed to stay true to Pashak’s vision.
Underground rock fans have attended the club to get and earful of bands such as Mudhoney, Sparta and Har Mar Superstar and fostered local favourites such as The Dudes and Viet Cong. The nightclub also pulls in big crowds for its Saturday Natural Selection Hip Hop DJ night and its monthly Reset house-and-techno dance night geared towards the LGBT community.
“We’re all longtime Calgarians,” elaborates Brassard. “Broken City really captures the spirit of Calgarians in that it's diverse and welcoming. It’s the true people, not a corporate place.”
chicken strips with fries
with your choice of dipping sauce garlic aioli/chipotle aioli/ranch| hot/teriyaki/honey garlic/bbq/suicide/apple bourbon bbq/honey mustard
fish & chips
mill st. tankhouse ale-battered haddock with house cut fries & house-made tartar
all day breakfast
2 eggs any style, tomato, bacon, hash brown patties & toast
fried egg sandwich
2 egg, bacon, pickles, lettuce, tomato & chipotle aioli on a brioche bun. Served with hash brown patties
steak sandwich
6 oz hanger steak, topped with herb butter & crispy onions. Served on toasted focaccia & your choice of side
chicken caesar wrap
grilled chicken, romaine lettuce, asiago cheese, house-made dressing. Served with your choice of side
ham & cheese wrap
thin-sliced ham, lettuce, tomato, crispy onions & honey mustard. Served with your choice of side
quesadilla
sauteed succhini, red pepper, onions & cheese blend. Your choice of chicken, beef, ham or double veg served with salsa & sour cream
ham and onion grilled cheese
thin-sliced ham, caramelized cajun onions & monterey jack cheese on rye bread with your choice of side
served on a brioche bun with your choice of beef chicken or vegan patty & your choice of side
inferno burger
guacamole, crispy onions, jalapenos, hot sauce & mozzarella
poipu burger (vegan friendly)
vegan patty, grilled pineapple, guacamole, lettuce & tomato. Served on a vegan bun
chicken bruschetta
grilled chicken breast, house-made bruschetta, lettuce, asiago cheese & garlic aoli
broken city burger
garlic mushrooms, bacon, lettuce, tomato, chipotle aioli & monterey jack cheese
caesar salad
house salad
lentil quino salad
vegan chili
soup
hash brown patties
fries sub chickpea fries
onion rings
poutine
nachos
blended cheese, olives, pickled jalapenos, tomato, caramelized cajun onions, topped with green onions. Served with salsa & sour cream
wings
one pound of buttermilk & peppercorn marinated wings tossed in your choice of sauce. Served with a side of ranch hot/teriyaki/honey garlic/bbq/cguoitke/suicide salt & pepper/lemon pepper/apple bourbon bbq
cauliflower wings (vegan friendly)
breaded cauliflower florets tossed in your choice of sauce
chickpea fries (vegan friendly)
house made with your choice of dipping sauce garlic aioli/chipotle aioli/ranch
hummus plate (vegan friendly if you substitute corn tortilla)
pita & seasonal grilled vegetables
poutine
house-cut fries, cheese curds & gravy
onion rings
battered with mill st. tankhouse ale. Handmade to order
bruschetta
served on toasted baguette
zucchini corn fritters
house-made, vegan friendly. Choice of sauce to dip
focaccia & marinara
toasted to perfection
broken salad
house-mixed greens, fresh veggies, lemon oil & balsamic vinegar
lentil quinoa salad
sprouted lentils, quinoa, roasted pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, lemon oil & balsamic vinegar
vegan chili
served with garlic focaccia
caesar salad
romaine, croutons, asiago cheese, bacon bits & house-made dressing
soup of the day
served with toasted garlic focaccia
grilled steak salad
grilled 6 oz hanger steak with tossed greens, pickled beets, candied almonds & appled cide vinaigrette sub chicken for steak
grilled veggie salad
grilled zucchini, red peppers, mushrooms & pickled beets. Tossed in apple cider vinaigrette
strawberry salad
romaine lettuce, strawberries, cucumbers, green onions & toasted sunflower seeds tossed in a honey balsamic dressing
eggs benedict
house-made tea biscuits, bacon & brown butter hollandaise. Served with hash browns
breakfast poutine
choice of hash browns or fries, cheese curds, gravy & 2 eggs any style
steak and eggs
6oz hanger steak, 2 eggs any style, hash browns, topped with bechamel cheese sauce
fried egg samdwich
2 eggs, bacon, pickles, lettuce, tomato & chipotle aioli on a brioche bun. Served with hash brown patties
cornflake and coconut crusted french toast
with cinnamon & brown sugar whipped sour cream
apple cinnamon pancakes (vegan friendly)
topped with fresh fruit
breakfast bowl
hash browns, vegan chili, 2 scrambled eggs, cheese & fresh salsa (vegan friendly) sub eggs & cheese for tofu
beau's breakfast
bacon, sausage, hash browns, toast, 2 egg any style with house-made jam & cashew butter
green eggs and ham
2 eggs any style, thick slice of ham & salsa verde, served with hash browns
ham and onion grilled cheese
thin-sliced ham, caramelized cajun onions & monterey jack cheese on rye bread served with hash browns
bacon
sausage
toast
strawberry jam
fruit cup
side of hash or patties
cashew butter
fruit & ice cream
fresh fruit & vanilla ice cream
cookies & ice cream
house-made cookies served with vanilla ice cream
fruit parfait
fresh fruit, yogurt & granola
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Between the graffiti-laden walls, the eclectic soundtrack and the ATM housed in a wooden replica of Doctor Who’s time- and space-traveling TARDIS, the rooftop patio at Broken City is the epitome of laidback summer cool. To avoid the scorching heat and a potential sunburn, pop by for a spot of boozy weekend brunch between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. before other patrons awaken from their hibernation. Or, if drinks later in the day are more your speed, any of the beers on tap work beautifully with the mainstays of their regular menu.
View this Smart ListThe rooftop patio at Broken City on 11th Avenue Southwest in Beltline is a sunny and secluded spot to enjoy a drink in the daytime and, if you’re lucky, enjoy a live band performance on the upstairs stage in the evening. In the summer months, the patio features a full-service bar as well as dedicated washrooms, so you don’t have to trudge up and down the stairs.
View this Smart ListBroken City on Eleventh Avenue Southwest is central to Calgary’s growing music scene. In addition to presenting weekly live indie band performances, Broken City also features Natural Selection Hip Hop Night, which celebrates the golden era of hip hop. Calgary DJs Brofanity, Typist and Kline play hip-hop classics from the ’80s and ’90s.
View this Smart List