Last year we discussed the top 19 party cities in all of Canada, but as you may very well know, one person’s party city is another person’s snoozefest.

A city can mean different things to different people based on their experiences. Whether you live in that city, were raised in that city, are tourists to that city or a backpacker just passing through, your wants, needs and expectations of a party may be different from everyone else.

Today we are going to focus on one particular group: backpackers. With youth hostels located in over 85 cities across Canada, the great white north is one destination with the backpacker’s travel budget in mind.

Not only can you find a cheap room at one of the many hostels across the country, but some of these hostels also have their very own bars! Cheap beers and cheap beds equal a fun time in my books.

So without further adieu, here are the best Backpacker Bars across Canada:

British Columbia
The Cambie Pub – Vancouver

When it comes to hostels, cheap, quality, and clean rooms are what is most important to many backpackers, and that is exactly what the The Cambie offers. What makes a stay at the Cambie even better is their onsite pub. Rated as the “#1 place to get wasted on the cheap” the Cambie really knows how cater to the backpacker’s budget. For more ideas on how to party on the cheap, check out our Miser’s Guide To Clubbing.

Alberta
The Storm Cellar – Banff

Billed as a True Traveler’s Pub, the Storm Cellar is the in-house bar for the HI-Banff Alpine Centre, one of the best ski and snowboarding hostels in the Rockies. The pub is a cozy place to unwind after a long day of hitting the slopes. Sip a few pints, play some darts, or take part in one of the many daily events, from Karaoke and trivia to live music from some great Canadian artists. If skiing is your thing, check out our list of the Best Ski Resorts To Party At.

Ontario
Mugshots – Ottawa

One of the more unique hostels in Canada is found in its capital city, Ottawa. The HI-Ottawa Jail hostel is located in the old Nicholas Street Gaol, which was built in 1862. Hostelling International purchased the building after it’s closure in 1972 and converted it into a hostel leaving much of the structure intact. Yes, that means you can spend a night in jail without the embarrassment of a having to call a friend or family member to bail you out. The jail’s chapel, which is typically only used in winter months, has been converted into the hostels on-site bar Mugshots. During the summer months the bar moves out into the courtyard, which was once the gallows and the place of the last public execution in Canada.

Québec
Tiki Bar Barbu – Sainte-Anne-des-Monts

Located 8 hours east of Montreal, right near the mouth of the St. Lawrence River is The Sea Shack, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts festive hostel. Ideally located to take advantage of all the outdoors has to offer, the Sea Shack hosts visitors all year round. Other than the amazing activities this hostel has to offer, from skiing to kayaking, what keeps people coming back for more are the famous parties hosted at the Tiki Bar Barbu. With live music acts from virtually every genre as well as many themed party nights, at the Tiki Bar Barbu the party never stops.

About the Author
Corey Rozon is a freelance writer from Ottawa, Canada.

Even the Grinchiest of Grinches and the Scroogiest of Scrooges’ ice-cold hearts thaw just a little bit when it comes to getting together with friends for a few holiday drinks. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, from the second to third week of December, and well into the New Year, it is a great time to attend or even host a holiday party.

I’ve been to some pretty amazing parties where the host serves an elaborate themed menu, showing of their incredible culinary skills, however where many parties have failed is when it comes to party drinks. Typically BYOB (bring your own bottle) is expected.

It’s understandable of course, after all who really can afford to both feed and supply alcohol to all of their friends around this time of year. However, being able to supply some creative drinks alongside the incredible food would just blow your guests away.

The affordable solution: create a drink menu and assign each guest a particular bottle or ingredient to bring with them. Here are some of our favorite Christmas Party Drink recipes to add to your drink menu:

#1 – Eggnog

What is Christmas without a glass or two of everyone’s favorite treat – eggnog! Whether you purchase it from the store or make it from scratch, everyone loves a little eggnog each year, especially when it’s spiked. Since eggnog is our #1 pick for the most popular Christmas party drink we will not only provide you with a recipe to make homemade eggnog, but we’ll also provide you with two boozy variations. Think of it as our Christmas present to you.

· Simple Eggnog Recipe (Serves 20)

1 dozen eggs
12 oz white sugar
2 quarts milk
2 quarts whipping cream

Separate egg yolks and set whites aside for latter use. Combine egg yolks and sugar in a mixing bowl, add remaining ingredients, mix well and chill in refrigerator. Before serving whisk egg whites and fold into mixture.

· Brandy Eggnog

1 oz brandy
½ oz dark rum
8 oz eggnog
whipped cream
ground nutmeg
cinnamon sticks

Shake brandy and rum in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into a mug, add freshly made eggnog, top with whip cream and garnish with nutmeg and cinnamon sticks.

· Eggnog Martini

1 ½ oz dark rum
3 oz eggnog
almond extract
ground cinnamon
ground nutmeg
cinnamon stick

Shake rum, eggnog and almond extract in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into martini glass rimmed with cinnamon. Garnish with nutmeg and cinnamon stick.

#2 – English Christmas Punch

This Christmas punch is enough for 27 glasses, and best of all it is served on fire! Caution should be taken when igniting the punch; you don’t want to end up with a Griswold Christmas tree.

26 oz dark rum
26 oz dry red wine
24 oz strong tea
1 lb superfine sugar
juice of 1 large orange
juice of 1 lemon
orange slices

Combine wine, tea and the juice of one lemon and orange into a saucepan. Warm the mixture, being careful not to boil. Pour into heatproof punch bowl. Add sugar to a large ladle allowing excess sugar to enter punch bowl. Pour rum over ladle until sugar is saturated. Ignite the rum and sugar mixture carefully pouring into punch bowl. Stir to extinguish flames, add remainder of rum and orange slices for garnish.

#3 – Mulled Beer

Far be it from me to tell you how to drink you beer, I am after all a proponent of warming up with a cold one, but sometimes it’s nice to offer your guests a warm drink. This holiday recipe, which serves 20 of your closet friends, creates a warm and spicy twist on the traditional Christmas beer.

10 bottles of dark ale
5 egg yolks
5 tsp white sugar
2 tsp nutmeg
cinnamon sticks
10 cloves
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground ginger

Combine beer and spices in a large saucepan and heat until ground spices dissolve. Mix sugar and egg yolks together and add to spiced beer ensuring to stir well. Pour into beer mug and garnish with nutmeg and cinnamon stick.

#4 – Hot Buttered Rum

Speaking of warming up with a warm one, this buttery treat is the perfect drink to hand your guests as they enter into you home from the frigid outdoors.

1 ½ oz of brandy
½ oz dark rum
1 Tbsp unrefined brown sugar
1 Tbsp white sugar
1 Tbsp unsalted butter
8 oz water
cloves
ground cinnamon

Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and warm on low heat. Works best if you make multiple cups at one time. Pour mixture into mugs and garnish with ground cinnamon

#5 – White Christmas

For those guest who wrinkle their noses to the though of eggnog, surprise them with this alternative. The additional flavors do a good job of masking that eggnog taste for those not so inclined.

1 oz Southern Comfort
½ oz white chocolate liqueur
4 oz eggnog
chocolate flakes

Shake all ingredients a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into martini glass and garnish with chocolate flakes.

#6 – Poinsettia

This elegant cocktail is made with Champagne, or sparkling wine, which will add a touch of class to any holiday party.

3 oz sparkling wine
½ oz triple sec
3 oz cranberry juice

Combine triple sec and cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into a Champagne flute and top with sparkling wine.

#7 – Candy Cane

Here’s a fun cocktail to make for those that have a peppermint tooth – they are easy to spot, as they are the ones always stealing the candy canes off of your tree.

¾ oz berry flavored vodka
¾ oz peppermint schnapps
¾ oz white crème de cacao
¼ oz grenadine
half and half
soda water
candy cane

Combine vodka, peppermint schnapps, white crème de cacao, and grenadine into a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass rimmed with crushed peppermint candy. Fill with half and half, top with soda water and garnish with a candy cane.

#8 – Merry Christmas

Last but not least, here at the BarWhiz Blog we would like to wish you a Merry Christmas with a cocktail of the same name.

1 oz gin
1 oz cranberry juice
1 tsp lemon juice
club soda
fresh cranberries

Shake gin, cranberry and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice, top with club soda and garnish with fresh cranberries.

About the Author
Corey Rozon is a freelance writer from Ottawa, Canada.

From posts about the best party cities around the world, to tips on how to party frugally, we are here to help you not only find party, but also how to party on a budget.

There is nothing better than a good old-fashioned house party, both for the party atmosphere and for saving some money. You might think hosting a house party is as simple as inviting over a few friends and opening up a bag of chips, but to throw a good house party takes planning, organization and some skill.

In order to help you throw your very own house party, one that will be talked about for weeks, we have put together this simple guide, which will help you with everything from choosing a guest list to coming up with a few party games.

So without further adieu, here is the Complete Guide For Throwing A House Party On A Budget:

#1 – Choosing A Guest List

Before you even begin deciding on who you want to invite, you first need to think about the amount of people your budget can accommodate. The larger the guest list obviously means the more the expense, and usually the bigger the party.

Besides budget, you’ll want to ensure you have adequate space for the amount of people you are planning to invite. You will need enough room for everyone to fit, while still having space for people to break off into groups, and walk around to get food and drinks. And don’t forget about an area to dance!

A large house party would consist of more than 25 guests. With the large group you can afford to diversify your guests, inviting people from different aspects of your life. With a large group of people your hosting duties are usually minimal when it comes to getting conversation going. As mentioned, large parties can be quite expensive, so you can cut the costs by making it a BYOB.

A medium sized party will comfortably fit between 10 to 15 guests. With the smaller group you can afford to offer some drinks and a few finger foods without going over budget. If you get creative with the menu your guests will appreciate the effort.

A smaller house party would consist of fewer than 10 guests. These house parties are usually a little more intimate and work well where everyone knows each other. If you still want to invite guests from different groups in your life, choose wisely. Having people that do not feel comfortable mingling with strangers can make for an awkward party, one where you as the host will be doing a lot of the work keeping the conversation going. Small parties are also a great way to show off your culinary skills without breaking the bank.

#2 – Picking A Theme

Theme parties are a fun way to bring friends together and have a few drinks. The right theme can get everyone excited and allow your guests to really let go of any of their inhibitions – beer also helps too. However, picking the wrong theme can be a disaster. With the wrong theme you may find that your guests are not as enthusiast about the party as you are, and some may not participate or even show up.

Try running your theme idea by a few of your closest friends on your guest list to get a feel for how they are going to take it. Definitely pick something that does not require guests to go out and spend an inordinate amount of money looking for a costume, and certainly do not pick anything too obscure that those on your guest list will not be familiar with.

Once a theme has been decided you can use that to help you plan the other aspects of your party, from lighting and décor, to music and even the menu. The more creative you make it, the more memorable the party will be.

#3 – Creating The Proper Lighting

Even though the theme may dictate your lighting choice, creating ambiance in your house party is one of the most essential aspects, besides the booze of course, at making your guests feel welcome and at ease with their surroundings. Even without a theme, lighting will play an essential role in creating a party atmosphere.

The most inexpensive way to create some ambiance is by dimming the lights. If you don’t have a dimmer switch, you can try using tea lights, making sure of course they are located out of harms way – i.e. from being knocked over during the crazy arm-flailin’, booty bustin’ dance off.

#4 – Arranging The Music

Besides lighting, one of the other most important aspects of creating a memorable house party is music. Whether the music coincides with your theme or not, you should create a playlist, or ask one of your more capable guests to play DJ.

A good DJ always plays to the energy of the crowd, so knowing what your guest are into before hand will help you to create a playlist that will work well for your house party. Start with something light but upbeat to create the atmosphere, and work up to songs with more energy that will get the party jumpin’.

#5 – Planning A Menu

The size of your guest list will really determine your menu. As previously mentioned, the larger the party, the more the expense. So when it comes to planning a menu there are a few options to not blow your budget, as well as having to spend all day in the kitchen preparing.

With a large house party guests will not expect to be served food, but it is still a good idea to have a few munchies prepared. The classic chips n’ dip and other types of fingers foods, like fresh cut veggies, pitas and hummus, always go over well.

For the medium sized party you may want to throw in a few additional items, such as some canapés along with a cheese and fruit platter.

The smaller house party is where you can let your culinary skills shine. You don’t have to treat your guests to a full course dinner, but even making something as simple as handmade burgers for the BBQ will go a long way to impress your guests.

An additional way to save some money is to plan a potluck for the party, or even get everyone to chip in on some pizza, because remember, pizza and beer always goes hand-in-hand.

#6 – Coming Up With Party Games

If done incorrectly, a house party can be a dime a dozen. Anyone can simply invite over a few friends, turn on some music and have a few laughs while enjoying a favorite cocktail or three. But these ‘parties’ are really just boring old get-togethers. With your house party you want to do something memorable. Something creative. Something fun that will have your guests talking about it for weeks.

Your theme can go a long way to helping you create this memorable experience, but with or without a theme, it really comes down to the party games that will get your guest involved. Party games work for all sizes, from large parties to smaller intimate ones.

When designing activities remember to be creative, make them fun, and know when to initiate them. If the party is already in full party mode it might be best to shelf the game until the party dies down a bit.

With the right mix of guests, a fun and engaging theme, lighting to set the ambiance, a playlist to get the party moving, some food, and a few party games, you can easily create a memorable house party, while still staying on budget.

Author: Corey Rozon

We have already discussed the Top 10 Spring Break Destinations as well as the 32 Best Party Cities in The World, today we will let you know where the best college party towns are located.

So without further adieu, here are the Top 10 College Party Towns In The USA:

You can also click on the Country/City names to see listings and reviews of actual bars and clubs which you can go to! stop by and review some venues yourself if you have the chance, or leave us your thoughts below

#1 – Tempe, Arizona – Arizona State University

With a population of over 161,000, Tempe, Arizona is also home to over 68,000 Arizona State University students, and the number keeps growing. The university bar district is located on Mill Avenue, with some famous, long-standing, establishments such as the Cue Club and Rula Bula Irish Pub being found there.

#2 – Madison, Wisconsin – University of Wisconsin

Madison, the capital city of Wisconsin, has a population of over 233,000 people. Home to the university of Wisconsin, the university party district can be found on State Street. Madison is also home to many events, including the Waterfront Festival and the famous Mifflin Street Block Party.

#3 – Iowa City, Iowa – University of Iowa

With a population just below 68,000, Iowa City is the home to the University of Iowa. Located right in the downtown proper the University is surrounded by nothing but bars and clubs, 52 within a one-mile radius. Iowa City is also home to a nationally renowned jazz festival, which occurs every summer.

#4 – Austin, Texas – University of Texas

With a population of close to 800,000, Austin, Texas is the home to the University of Texas. If you are looking to party in Austin, look no further than Sixth Street. Besides the multitude of bars and clubs, Sixth Street also hosts a wide range of music festivals, such as South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits.

#5 – Gainesville, Florida – University of Florida

Even though Gainesville has a population of just fewer than 125,000, it is home to the United States sixth largest university campus, the University of Florida. Some of the best places to party include the Back Stage Lounge, the Salty Dog Saloon, and of course, the University Club. Go Gators!

#6 – University Park, Pennsylvania – Penn State University

Although technically not an incorporated community, University Park is home to over 92,000 students each year and is the name of the main Penn State University campus. With this many students crammed into one location the parties here are bound to be Legen… wait for it… dary!

#7 – Athens, Georgia – The University of Georgia

With a population of just over 115,000 people, the city of Athens developed around the University of Georgia, with the first graduating class of 1804 living in a town that consisting only of three homes, three shops and a few other buildings. Today, the Frat and Sorority scene is one of the best in the country, which naturally means the best Frat parties can be found in Athens.

#8 – Knoxville, Tennessee – The University of Tennessee

With a population just under 180,000, Knoxville is the home of the University of Tennessee. It’s a great college party town, but it really heats up during football season when the tailgate parties are practically everywhere.

#9 – Columbus, Ohio – Ohio State University

The capital of Ohio, Columbus has a population of just under 780,000. Home to such festivals as the Jazz and Ribs Festival and ComFest, this Ohio State University town really knows how to party. Some of the top party venues to check-out include, Village Idiot, Axis Nightclub, Ruby Tuesday and the Varsity Club.

#10 – Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Louisiana State University

Baton Rouge is the capital city of Louisiana. With a population of fewer than 230,000, this city is the home to Louisiana State University and the LSU Tigers. The biggest event that takes place in Baton Rouge is a little party called Mardi Gras. However, seeing that there are over 32,000 students enrolled in LSU each year, the party pretty much never stops.

Author: Corey Rozon