Alberta Entertainment

Alberta's prairie is ideal for cattle rearing and its Western beef is world famous. Apart from traditional foods, Alberta's towns and cities offer an excellent range of international cuisine. Alcohol is sold in ‘liquor stores', although beer may be obtained in many hotels.

Regional specialities:
• Beef is barbecued, braised, grilled, minced and skewered with different complements such as onions, mushrooms, green peppers, rice, sauces and beans; Alberta beef is renowned worldwide and is extraordinarily succulent. 
• Stew (combination of diced steak, garden vegetables and biscuits cooked in rich gravy).
• Wild berries and nuts are used in desserts.
• Honey is made from alfalfa and clover nectar and is a widely used sweetener and breakfast food.

Legal drinking age: 18.

Tipping: It is customary to tip between 15% and 20% at bars and restaurants in Alberta. Tips are also given to tour guides, and for taxi service, spa treatments, porters and haircuts.

Both Edmonton and Calgary have a rich variety of nocturnal entertainment. Nightclubs, cabarets, taverns, lounges and pubs combine to provide constant local and international entertainment. Calgary and Edmonton boast full-scale orchestras.

Alberta is the only Canadian jurisdiction (apart from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon) that does not apply an extra sales tax on all purchases over and above the federal goods and services tax of 5%. Artwork available in the province includes pottery, ceramics, sculptures and paintings. There are numerous malls in Edmonton, including the huge West Edmonton Mall. Speciality shops can be found in the Old Strathcona district, from boutiques to a farmer's market. The trendy Kensington Village district in Calgary has over 100 excellent shops, restaurants and services. 

Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1800 (hours vary widely; many large stores and malls are open until 2100 Mon-Fri, and Sun 1200-1700).