Every city has its edgy, quirky and trend-setting district – and Edmonton's is Old Strathcona, which was briefly its own city in the 1900s, before being swallowed by its larger cousin. It’s one of the oldest parts of this busy metropolis, known for its bustling pedestrian-friendly streets, independent shops and long history. It's also known as the place to come for a good evening, heaving with bars, clubs, theatres and a yearly fringe festival. If downtown is Edmonton's business heart, Old Strathcona is its vibrant soul.
Strathcona owes its origins to the arrival of the railway in the area in 1891. The famous Strathcona hotel was built around that time, and as the town boomed in the early 20th century, many more substantial and attractive buildings were built along the locally famous Whyte Avenue. When all of that historical heritage was put under threat by a planned freeway, residents stepped up a campaign to make history a selling point for the town, and Old Strathcona is the result. It is now a Provincial Historic Area, only the second in the city.
Altogether, Old Strathcona runs to some 5 blocks of south-central Edmonton. Here, life's pleasures, in all their diverse forms, can be indulged. There are numerous small restaurants and cafés, each with their own identity, and many serving vegetarian or organic foods. A major farmers’ market is held here every Saturday – so foodies will be happy. There is also a wonderfully eclectic fashion scene, with boutique shops and retro-chic high on the shopper's to-do list.
But Old Strathcona has become best-known for its thriving nightlife, with its clubs, pubs and streets offering every entertainment you could imagine. Comedy clubs are a big draw, as are music venues, with bands covering every genre from rock to jazz to blues to country. There are many theatres here too, both traditional and alternative, with vivid street entertainment provided by buskers and jugglers.
It all comes to a head every August, when Old Strathcona is host to the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival: a thousand performances over ten days, attracting around half-a-million visitors. When Old Strathcona puts on a party, you know you're in for a good time.
