It's all about the music, baby!
While it may look like a pub you've been in many times before, in reality the Blind Beggar is one of very few in Calgary to make live, local music a serious cornerstone of what it does. Boasting a large, elevated stage with an area for standing, and many surrounding booths for those of you that want a seat, but still get a good look at the band, the Blind Beggar is designed to put the music first. That said, if you'd like a little more privacy to hand out with your friends and enjoy the music in the back ground, there's a slightly disconnected booth area at the back. Like the box seats at the game, you'll have a great view, but won't be right in with the rowdies.
What's extra cool about the Beggar is that along with standing on its own as a music venue, you could strip all of that away (although I don't suggest it) and it would still stand on its own as a pub.
They've got a good beer selection that's a balance of pub classics with enough craft to keep it interesting. They've got a good spirits list to boot, and I found myself hitting up the scotch list, and drinking some tasty Auchentoshan 12 for about $7.50. Here again, they had a nice size scotch list with a lot of solid options that won't break the bank.
I haven't had a chance to try the food yet, but with the amount of bands coming through these doors that I've yet to discover, I'm positive that I'll be back soon.