One thing Calgary is in dire need of is a great venue for audiences between 250-500. Commonwealth is currently the only venue that is even worth anyone ones time venue-wise. Gateway isn't anything to write home about, been to numerous shows there. I am never like "oh my god, ra ra riot is playing the gateway... We have to go." In fact it can be a deal breaker. Ron Sexsmith and Jen Grant played there Oct 3rd, loved the show, but the venue takes away from the performance. The venue encourages people to sit far from the stage, and it's hard to get people up to watch a show.
Personally one of my least favorite venues in Calgary (Mac hall might be the number one). We need to start using some of great venues we have commonwealth, Hifi, junction grand, legion, and Jack singer.
On top of that a pitcher of Pabst Blue Ribbon is $18 bucks and so is a pitcher of Big Rock Rock Creek. Not sure how that math pans out.
On a positive note they have buck hunter.