Nightlife

The focus of the city's cultural life is the Conexus Arts Centre (formerly Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts), on the southern shore of Wascana Lake (tel. 800/667-8497, or 306/525-9999 for the box office; www.saskcentreofthearts.com). With two theaters and a large concert hall, the center is home to the Regina Symphony Orchestra and features many other performance companies. Ticket prices vary depending on the show. The box office at 200 Lakeshore Dr. (tel. 306/525-9999) is open Monday through Saturday 10am to 6pm.

Late September to early May, the Globe Theatre, Old City Hall, 1801 Scarth St. (tel. 306/525-6400; www.globetheatrelive.com), a theater-in-the-round, presents six plays. Productions run the gamut from classics (Shakespeare, Molière, Shaw, and others) to modern dramas, musicals, and comedies. Tickets are C$33 to C$38 (US$33-US$38/£17-£19). Box office hours are Monday through Saturday 10am to 5pm.

The Casino Regina, 1880 Saskatchewan Dr., at Broad Street (tel. 800/555-3189 or 306/565-3000; www.casinoregina.com), is very impressive. Seven blocks long and incorporating the city's original rail station, Casino Regina has over 35 gaming tables to go with its more than 600 slots, as well as a restaurant and live-show theater, and is open daily 9am to 4am (closed Christmas). The top live music venue in Regina is The Distrikt, 1326 Hamilton St. (tel. 306/359-8223 information line), offering national and local bands, three bars, a large dance floor, and three outdoor decks.

Across the tracks from downtown is the old railway warehouse district, now being revived as an arts and clubs area. Centering on Dewdney Avenue between Albert and Broad streets, this district offers travelers a number of pubs and nightclubs. The SOHO Nightclub at 2300 Dewdney Ave. (tel. 306/359-7771) has a lively cocktail bar plus an outdoor deck in summer. On weekends, local DJs give the downstairs club on an electric vibe. Of the many pubs in the area, check out Bushwakker Pub and Brewing Company, 2206 Dewdney Ave. (tel. 360/359-7276; www.bushwakker.com), with 30 beers and ales brewed on-site to go with standard pub fare. The Crooked Cue, 2288 Dewdney Ave. (tel. 306/585-6500), is a billiards hall with full dining and lounge facilities.

A couple of other pubs with an Irish flavor, popular in Regina, are O'Hanlon's, 1947 Scarth St. (tel. 306/566-4094); and McNally's, at 2226 Dewdney Ave. (tel. 306/522-4774; www.mcnallys-tavern.com), which also features live music.