Flames Central
• 219 8 Ave SW | Calgary, AB | T2P 1B7
Average User Rating:
6.69/10
6.69/10
Recommended by:
57%
57%
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"Pricy drinks but good atmosphere"
Henry
June 2011 — "Flames Central located on the heart of Stephen Ave Mall is one of Calgary's premier destinations to catch a hockey game or concert. Due to its central location it is very popular amongst the business crowd especially for lunches and happy hour drinks as well. It has a very upscape atmosphere and prices to match. It is one of the best destinations to catch the big game because of its giant screen and we're not talkinga about plasma or LCD. There is a big movie style projector in place so it feels like you're watching the game at the local cineplex. There has never been a shortage of seating due to the main dining area and/or dance floor depnding on which night you visit. There is even balcony seating upstairs which is also quite impressive. With that being said the prices for drinks and food are some of the highest I have seen so come prepared with your wallets."
User Rating
7.50/10
7.50/10
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"Cool place...just not for lunch."
Lindsay
November 2010 — "Flames Central is pretty close to my work but I didn't really know they were open for lunch until a friend of mine suggested we go. It's actually a really cool place. It's kind of a strange place to have lunch though and I'm sure it's much more fun and appealing at night. We were seated in what almost felt like a nightclub and the lighting didn't help much. It was so dark! There weren't many people there either so the whole atmosphere felt kind of "off". However, our server was really nice and the food came right away. It was great! I had the pulled pork sandwich with fries. The portion was large and the quality was good. Great food for sure! Not too expensive either. I would say it's a great place to eat, but it doesn't really a carry a lunch atmosphere very well. If you don't mind that, then it's a great place to go for good food! "
User Rating
8/10
8/10
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"Wildfire Grill - Flames Central"Rhonda
December 2009 — "Flames Central – recently visited the Wildfire Grill at Flames Central located on popular Stephen Avenue in downtown Calgary. The venue is decorated with a hockey motif with hockey memorabilia throughout and large television screens to watch the game from every angle. As I visited at lunch time, no hockey game was playing but the TV’s were on various channels in the event that you wanted to watch something. I ordered a glass of chardonnay which I found tasted a little like dishwater but got better after the first few sips. I also ordered the steak sandwich with French fries. The steak sandwich comes open-faced on a slice of bread that is slathered with a garlicky mayonnaise, which I ended up scraping most of off. The fries were golden, crispy and plentiful and did not disappoint. I would stop by again for a casual bite to eat and I’m sure the atmosphere would be very enjoyable during a hockey game."
User Rating
7.17/10
7.17/10
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"Great Ambience to Watch a Game!"
December 2009 — "Flames Central – recently visited the Wildfire Grill at Flames Central located on popular Stephen Avenue in downtown Calgary. The venue is decorated with a hockey motif with hockey memorabilia throughout and large television screens to watch the game from every angle. As I visited at lunch time, no hockey game was playing but the TV’s were on various channels in the event that you wanted to watch something. I ordered a glass of chardonnay which I found tasted a little like dishwater but got better after the first few sips. I also ordered the steak sandwich with French fries. The steak sandwich comes open-faced on a slice of bread that is slathered with a garlicky mayonnaise, which I ended up scraping most of off. The fries were golden, crispy and plentiful and did not disappoint. I would stop by again for a casual bite to eat and I’m sure the atmosphere would be very enjoyable during a hockey game."
User Rating
6.50/10
6.50/10
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"Mediocre lunch "
Tatiana
December 2008 — "Going to Flames Central for a group lunch was a pretty mediocre experience. The space is quite large and other than our group there were less than six other tables. Service was reasonably nice – waitstaff is very young but competent, food arrived pretty fast and everyone’s order was correct.
The one major detractor to our experience was that the central space that our department occupied was right under not one, not two, but NINE large vents blowing cold air impressively around the room despite the fact that it’s winter outside. It was so cold that most people kept their winter jackets on, and naturally the food was cooled down within seconds. Coffee ditto. Despite numerous requests to turn the AC down either it was not possible or didn’t get done, so we sat there shivering with our cold drinks.
The food is impressively mediocre – from the flavorless flank steak, serviceable ceasar salad, bland stew, everything was a bit underseasoned, needed salt or was simply so generic you could fall asleep in your chowder. The steak sandwich was served on top of wilted spinach which rested on a thick layer of mayo which overwhelmed the meat and spinach and the bread for that matter. Our drinks were decent – the caesars were excellent but the red wine arrived as cold as the slush outside. We did sample the artichoke dip which was a notch above the norm with a lighter sour cream based sauce rather than the more common and heavy mayo version. It was quite good and I’d actually eat it again. The desserts were all solid – from the creamy, delicate citrus crème brulee with a rich good (and true to form cold) shortbread cookie, to the brownie extravaganza they were everyone’s favorite part of the meal although served with the above mentioned cold coffees. Did I mention it was cold in there?
A couple of other hiccups were a hair found in the salad which was promptly replaced, and a dirty coffee cup brought with lipstick marks on it. Overall it would never be my choice for lunch again their only value being the ability to seat a large group. Under a vent.
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User Rating
5/10
5/10
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"Flaming Good Fun"
sally
September 2008 — "As a guest of the Calgary International Film festival, I was invited to attend the wrap party at Flames Central. I've heard mixed reviews of the Concorde group's latest and splashiest venture so I resolved to keep an open mind.
The flaming C's suspended from the ceiling glow red on game nights, but on this particular Saturday, they were bright white. The effect was somewhat unsettling, but no one seemed to mind. The staff, all clad in black, were friendly and efficient and offset the glaring light.
Since this was a special event, there were several buffet tables set up with bruschetta, cold meats, and cheeses. As snack fare goes, the quality was good and the staff kept the tables well stocked.
Local band Urban Divide was playing and the dance floor filled up quickly as they belted out cover tunes. The sound quality was top notch and the darkening of the flaming C's was most welcome.
I would return to Flames Central on game night to knock back a few cold ones, sample the menu and cheer on the team. "
User Rating
8.50/10
8.50/10
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"Loud and Obnoxious"
Chin
May 2008 — "If Flames Central were in high-school, it would be the popular rich-kid that did nothing but talk about itself, ad nauseum.
I wanted to like the place, I mean, I am a Flames fan, and I love hockey, but this place just comes off as loud and obnoxious. Maybe it was all the flaming "c"s in the place, but about half-way through a game I was watching there, I just said to myself "why am I so annoyed?".
Tack the tacky decor on top of the middle of the road food-menu and a sub-par list of brews, and you have a pub/restaurant/ultra-lounge/fine-dining establishment that is nothing more than a cash-grab by the city's biggest sporting franchise."
User Rating
4.17/10
4.17/10
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DescriptionFlames Central is one of the newer additions to the Stephen Avenue malls. It is the local destination for anyone that likes anything to do with the NHL or the Calgary Flames. Memorabilia outlining the history of the team adorns the walls. Flames Central is home to the Wildfire Grill.
Location Information219 8 Ave SW
Calgary
AB
T2P 1B7
Laidback Luke in Concert
Jun 07
Producer/DJ, Laidback Luke will be performing at Flames Central.
Jun 07
Producer/DJ, Laidback Luke will be performing at Flames Central.
Cosmic Gate in Concert
Jun 29
Cosmic Gate and Emma Hewitt with Chad Hardcastle and Yula will be performing at Flames Central. No minors, must be 18 or over.
Jun 29
Cosmic Gate and Emma Hewitt with Chad Hardcastle and Yula will be performing at Flames Central. No minors, must be 18 or over.
Morgan Page in Concert
Jul 07
Producer/DJ, Morgan Page will be performing at Flames Central.
Jul 07
Producer/DJ, Morgan Page will be performing at Flames Central.
Buckcherry in Concert
Jul 08
Buckcherry will be performing at Flames Central during Stampede week. Presented by Stampede After Dark.
Jul 08
Buckcherry will be performing at Flames Central during Stampede week. Presented by Stampede After Dark.
Calgary Corporate Challenge (CCC) Idol/Midway Party
TBA
We have reached the half way mark of the 2011 CCC Games, it's time to party!
Come down to Flames Central and see our twenty-five finalists perform jamaoke (karaoke with a live band) with Matt Beatty and The Hot Tamales. Watch in anticipation as we announce winners for Best Vocals, Best Showmanship and Best Overall Performance.
CCC Idol / Midway Party
7:30pm First Set of Singers
8:45pm Break
9:15pm Second Set of Singers
10:30pm Break
11:00pm Finalists are narrowed down and the winners are chosen!
*All times are approximate
Flames Central opens at 11a.m. Capacity is 1200 people.
"Saving tables" for others will not be allowed. One person can only save one table of four.
If you'd like the chance to perform during CCC Idol, visit the CCC website for sign-up details!
TBA
We have reached the half way mark of the 2011 CCC Games, it's time to party!
Come down to Flames Central and see our twenty-five finalists perform jamaoke (karaoke with a live band) with Matt Beatty and The Hot Tamales. Watch in anticipation as we announce winners for Best Vocals, Best Showmanship and Best Overall Performance.
CCC Idol / Midway Party
7:30pm First Set of Singers
8:45pm Break
9:15pm Second Set of Singers
10:30pm Break
11:00pm Finalists are narrowed down and the winners are chosen!
*All times are approximate
Flames Central opens at 11a.m. Capacity is 1200 people.
"Saving tables" for others will not be allowed. One person can only save one table of four.
If you'd like the chance to perform during CCC Idol, visit the CCC website for sign-up details!
Calgary's motionball Gala
TBA
motionball's epic Gala
This event promises to be one of Calgary’s premiere parties of the year - mixing young professionals, local celebrities, donors, volunteers, sponsors and Special Olympic athletes together. There will be a live DJ, one epic Canadian artist, an exclusive underwear fashion show, dessert bar, complimentary drinks and silent auction.
Who: motionball, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for Special Olympics Canada and integrating Special Olympics athletes with the next generation of volunteers, donors and sponsors through social and sporting events.
Why: Because more than 300,000 Canadians have an intellectual disability and Special Olympics Canada enriches the lives of these Canadians by providing them with a sense of achievement, confidence and community through sport.
TBA
motionball's epic Gala
This event promises to be one of Calgary’s premiere parties of the year - mixing young professionals, local celebrities, donors, volunteers, sponsors and Special Olympic athletes together. There will be a live DJ, one epic Canadian artist, an exclusive underwear fashion show, dessert bar, complimentary drinks and silent auction.
Who: motionball, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for Special Olympics Canada and integrating Special Olympics athletes with the next generation of volunteers, donors and sponsors through social and sporting events.
Why: Because more than 300,000 Canadians have an intellectual disability and Special Olympics Canada enriches the lives of these Canadians by providing them with a sense of achievement, confidence and community through sport.
Candlelight Gala
TBA
The Missing Children Society of Canada invites people to join them at their annual Candlelight Gala. Funds raised will help provide their investigators with the tools necessary to locate missing children and reunite them with their families.
TBA
The Missing Children Society of Canada invites people to join them at their annual Candlelight Gala. Funds raised will help provide their investigators with the tools necessary to locate missing children and reunite them with their families.
