hen you combine a former country bar with an A-list roster of downtown scenesters, the outcome is unpredictable. But, with an impressive team of backers from Las Vegas and Vancouver behind the scheme, it’s pretty much guaranteed this won't be the plastic-cups-of-beer-and-mechanical-bull-riding party you're accustomed to.

The former Outlaws space has been transformed into something more hardcore than anything the Wild West could hope to offer – a rock ‘n’ roll bar that’s far from subtle. Experienced club owners and restaurateurs Trevor Tomanik and Travis Talbot wanted to give Calgary the feeling of stepping into a glam rock bar without fully abandoning the cowboy sensibility, and they definitely got the message across.

Entering the venue with painted black walls and chains running down them is a clear indication that you aren’t in Cowtown anymore. The 16,000 square foot, wide-open space has an ample amount of seating along the edges of the dance floor to continuously keep you in the party and offers four bars throughout the club to ensure just that occurs.

Designed by Pop Design Group Inc. (Metropolitan, Grill Mount Royal, Tommy Burger Bar), the lounge is fully equipped with massive steel cages to contain the wild beast within and shiny new chrome choppers at the DJ booth and rotating atop the bar.

At the main bar, however, the only reminder of Outlaws surrounds the black granite countertops; the brass horse heads that used to surround the bar have now been rocked out in sleek chrome. A “Yeehaw!” is warranted for this occasion.