These 2 cities just tied for Canada's 'Party Capital' and one is a total underdog

Two Canadian cities have just been crowned the title of Canada's "Party Capital" in 2024, but one of them might come as a total surprise. However, the real shock might just be the ones that didn't make the cut — especially a certain city known for its buzzing nightlife.

Let's just say, if you guessed Montreal, you might want to think again.

A new report from financial services platform Square found that Toronto and Calgary are dominating the nightlife scene in Canada. The company, which analyzed millions of in-person transactions at different times of day, revealed that both cities lead the country with 38% of all restaurant, bar and cafe spending happening between 7 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Meanwhile, Montreal, often lauded for having one of the best nightlife scenes in the country, lagged far behind at just 26%. In fact, even Winnipeg, known way more for its cold winters than its wild party scene, beat Montreal with 34% of transactions happening during late-night hours.

The report analyzed data from April to June, offering a snapshot of how Canadian cities are faring when it comes to nightlife and showcasing a shift in Canada's late-night scene that might have you second-guessing where to book your next night out.

Ironically, Ottawa — which is often known as "the city that fun forgot" — came in strong with 37%, right behind Toronto and Calgary. It seems the nation's capital is stepping up its game, while Vancouver also reported a solid 34% — putting it neck and neck with Winnipeg.

Square's data also reveals that while Torontonians and Calgarians may be keeping the party alive, overall nighttime spending across Canada has dipped compared to last year. The two newly minted Party Capitals weren't immune either — they both saw slight declines in spending from last year, with Toronto down from 41% and Calgary from 39%.

In addition to looking at transaction data, Square commissioned a survey that explored Canadian going-out habits, and it points to one potential explanation for the Canadawide dip. The survey found that 43% of Canadians are going out less often than in past years, with 23% saying they've cut back "a lot."

The rising cost of food was the biggest factor, cited by 72% of respondents, while 51% pointed to the higher price of drinks as another reason they're staying home more often.

While Toronto and Calgary top the rankings for nightlife spending in 2024, this year's report paints a broader picture of a Canadian nightlife scene that's still recovering from COVID-19 lockdowns and recalibrating under economic pressures — and one that's full of surprises.

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