An Insider’s Guide to Whistler Nightlife

Editor’s Note: This Whistler nightlife post was originally written by Feet Banks in 2012, but it’s been updated in 2023 with the latest information by Hayley Clark. 

The Whistler nightlife scene is world-famous. Once you step off the slopes, dismount your bike, return from the lake, or generally get back from your epic adventures – it’s party time.

Most of Whistler’s nightlife is below street level (it keeps the noise in the clubs and away from everyone getting an early night), so you’ll often hear locals chatting about heading underground when it’s time to hit the dance floor.

The good news is that pretty much everything is within walking distance of everything else, so if someone plays three songs in a row that you don’t like, you’re never more than a few hundred feet away from another hopping venue.

Party safe, and don’t forget to drink plenty of water so you can enjoy all the daytime adventures we’ve got to offer as well. Here’s the Whistler nightlife breakdown by day of the week.

Mondays

Kick your week off with locals’ night at Après Après, where you’ll find the hottest local DJs and a pumping dance floor into the small hours.

And for the drum and bass lovers out there, The Whistler Junglists welcome some of the biggest names in the drum and bass / jungle scene one Monday per month at Garfinkel’s (AKA, Garfs). Keep an eye on the Junglists’ Facebook page for upcoming events and tickets.

Tuesdays

Tapley’s Neighbourhood Pub was Whistler’s very first pub, serving up cold beers and good times since before you were born (probably). It’s a step down from the thumping underground nightclubs but still knows how to party – especially on Tuesdays, which promise some of the rowdiest bingo nights anywhere in Canada. Better yet, it alternates between classic bingo and music bingo, just to keep things interesting.

For a night out where you don’t have to pay attention to much beyond the next hit song, make a beeline for Swedish Après at the Longhorn Saloon. Located at the base of Whistler Mountain, you’ll hear this après party long before you see it, whether you’ve spent a day up the mountain on skis or on a bike.

Wednesdays

Wednesday is industry night at Buffalo Bills (usually just known as Bills). That means all the locals whose weekends fall mid-week will be at the bar, which will be offering special deals on drinks and epic vibes.

If you can’t shake a leg on Wednesday nights in Whistler you’re doing something wrong.

Thursdays

Garfinkel’s has owned Thursday nights since about the time humans developed opposable thumbs, and considering this underground hotspot has been voted as Whistler’s number-one dance bar – you know you’ll be throwing shapes on the D-floor.

Fridays & Saturdays

Weekends are awesome everywhere, so you really can’t go wrong. Your best bet is to aim to get in somewhere relatively early (before 9 PM or so) to avoid lineups later on in the night.

For an easy, no-effort night of festivities check out Bar Hop Whistler for a guided tour.

If a bar hop isn’t your style, the FireRock Lounge has live music on Saturday nights, alternating between local bands, Cold Smoke and Brother Twang. Local Irish pub Dubh Linn Gate is another go-to for live music over the weekends, often featuring local musical acts such as Ruckus Deluxe or Pat & Mike.

Or, keep an eye out for Après Après’ monthly Après 360, a ticketed boiler-room-style event going down on Friday nights.

Sundays

Sundays are for Moe Joe’s, Whistler’s beloved dance bar and a guaranteed hot spot for good times. Oh, and did we mention it’s a glow party! Affectionally known as Glow Joe’s for one night a week only. Anything goes in terms of dress code, but the brighter the better if you have it (make a trip to the Re-Use-It Centre, Vula Vintage & Modern Market or The Velvet Underground if you’re keen to dress the part but didn’t pack for the occasion).

Another option is Longhorn’s Saloon – recently voted in the top 10 ski bars in North America in USA Today – for Legendary Locals’ Night, where partygoers have the chance to win Skull Candy headphones all winter.

Whistler’s nightlife scene is a living-breathing beast. Venues like the GLC in the Village or Dusty’s Bar & BBQ in Creekside also often host live bands and Brandy’s (the bar under restaurant The Keg) is a local favourite that’s open until 2 AM most nights of the week.

While this list is generally pretty on-point, things can change, so it’s always a good call to check out our events calendar or the weekly listings in the Pique Newsmagazine before you arrive.