By Fran Williams

For years, my husband and I believed we had to drive to Calgary for an entertaining night out. We thought Airdrie didn’t have much to offer. But new options in Airdrie for a couples night out are steadily popping up. I've seen advertising for Glitch Gaming Lounge for a long time and thought it was only for kids. It has come to my attention that it has wobbly pops and live music several times a week, so, we bit the proverbial bullet and finally went there. Now we are going at least once a month, I'm so impressed. Usually a Thursday night, we head to Glitch for wing night, live music, and a game of pool. It’s become a favorite date night spot, and it's right here in Airdrie.

Glitch makes for an awesome night out.
The first thing you notice about Glitch is the atmosphere. The walls are covered in vibrant, colorful graffiti art. It’s like stepping into a different world. Even the bathrooms are decorated from floor to ceiling with amazing artwork. It’s clear that a lot of thought and creativity went into designing this place.

On our most recent visit, we arrived early to snag a good table. The staff at Glitch are always friendly and prompt, making sure we have everything we need. We started our night with drinks from the bar. My husband had a draft beer on tap, and I enjoyed a refreshing gin smash. Neither of us are big drinkers, but wing night, I think, needs to be punctuated by at least one. Next, we ordered wings. It's wing night on Thursdays and a pound of wings is only $8.50. Each week, there are specials on draft beer.

Glitch offers a variety of wing flavors, and we decided to share four different kinds: jalapeno, honey garlic, barbecue, and salt and pepper. The wings were cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. And the best part? They have gluten-free options, which is great for anyone with dietary restrictions. We also loved that the fries were cooked in beef tallow, avoiding the usual seed oils. It’s a small detail, but it made the food taste even better. We got to enjoy a live band, games, food, and drink, and I loved the lack of sticker shock when we got the bill. It makes for a very reasonably priced night out. Times are tight, and it's nice to know that we can get decent entertainment for around $60 and don’t need to waste gas getting there.

After finishing our wings, we moved to the pool tables. Playing pool has become a fun tradition for us, even though we’re not the best players. The tables take $1.50 in coins, and we always make sure to have some change on hand. We spent the next hour or so playing pool, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. It’s these moments that make our date nights so special.

Supporting local businesses like Glitch is so important. When we spend money at local venues, we help them thrive, which benefits the entire community. Local businesses create jobs, keep money in the community, and give us unique places to gather and connect. Brene Brown once said, "Connection is why we're here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives." By supporting places like Glitch, we build those connections and make our community stronger. We can organically get to know and support our neighbors.

As Airdrie continues to grow, places like Glitch Gaming Lounge show the potential for local entertainment. We no longer have to drive to Calgary for a good time. Everything we need is right here. From the delicious food and fun games to the fantastic live music and artistic ambiance, Glitch offers a complete and delightful experience. The private rooms available for rent are incredible for a party venue or the staff Christmas do with karaoke could be amazing. There is even a plentiful supply of virtual reality experience rooms that are available for rent by the hour.

Founded by sisters Lindsey Leicht and Tracy Wright, Glitch Gaming Lounge was born out of a shared dream to create a vibrant, inclusive space that brings people together. Leicht shared, "When we first moved to Airdrie, we saw a need for more entertainment options. Growing up, we had most gaming consoles, so we've always been into games. One Christmas, we took our families to a virtual reality gaming center in Calgary. We got to talking about how Airdrie needed something similar and ways that we could do it better. Glitch was born out of a shared dream to create a vibrant, inclusive space that brings people together through the joys of gaming, music, art, and great food!"

Leicht and Wright collaborated with over 30 local artists to bring their vision to life. "We met with our main muralist Mike (@mr.hr_art), who contributed many pieces throughout Glitch, and arranged the other artists that came through. By collaborating with a diverse group of artists, we were able to bring a variety of styles and perspectives into our space, making it visually rich and engaging for our patrons," Leicht added.

“Glitch was born out of a shared dream to create a vibrant, inclusive space that brings people together through the joys of gaming, music, art, and great food!”

Lindsey Leicht – Cofounder

For anyone who hasn’t yet discovered this local treasure, I highly recommend giving it a try. Whether you’re planning a fun date night or a casual evening out with friends, Glitch Gaming Lounge won’t disappoint. It’s a standout destination in Airdrie, offering a mix of great food, entertainment, and atmosphere. According to local Airdrie Glitch patron, James Pearson, "The staff is great, the live bands are so fun and I love the food here"

Glitch Gaming Lounge has become more than just a place to go on Thursday nights. It’s a spot where my husband and I have created wonderful memories. We’ve laughed over games of pool, enjoyed incredible live music, and savored delicious wings. The vibrant graffiti art, friendly staff, and welcoming community make it a place we look forward to visiting again and again. If you’re in Airdrie and looking for a unique and fun night out, Glitch Gaming Lounge is the place to be.

Glitch Gaming Lounge can be reached by calling (403) 945-2570, and their games, menu and live music schedule can be browsed by visiting their website.
Check out Glitch instagram or Facebook for the most up to date information

Hi, my Name is Fran. I am a Photojournalism student with SAIT in Calgary. I live in Airdrie and am a resident of the Bayside community. I have a soft spot in my heart for beauty, art and community and hope to create these values in all I put out into the world.