By day, Scozzafava’s in Calgary is all pickles and pastrami, but by sundown, the deli has a dancefloor. But how did a pop-up shop become an after-dark hotspot with its own address and a rowdy crowd with wicked dance moves?
The story is a masterclass in “you will never know if you don’t try.”
From sandwiches to strobe lights
When Nick Scozzafava moved to Calgary, his life changed pretty drastically.
Inspired by Juice, a hair salon in Ontario that turns into a party spot, the entrepreneur challenged himself to bring something new to the city, and it’s safe to say he succeeded.
With little knowledge about what it took to own a meat and cheese haven, he started Scozzafava’s and began working with local businesses to sell sandwiches on a pop-up basis.
Flashforward, and the deli has its own address, hosts musicians, and has quite the fanbase — in addition to selling food, coffee, and wine.
While he admits it has been a whirlwind, the eatery-slash-nightclub is a hit, proving that if you want something, just go for it.
“I was an electrician before this, so getting into the food business seemed crazy, but I always wanted to do a sandwich pop-up,” he told us.
“Now I’m like, running this new sandwich shop, and I don’t have a lot of experience in the restaurant industry, which is difficult. I’m also trying to, like, program DJs and run a nightclub somehow, so it’s pretty funny.”
Luckily, it’s all been working out.
According to the Jack-of-all-trades, these parties were pretty small at first, showcasing his DJ friends, and they’ve just grown pretty organically.
“It’s kind of perfect… You know, we pay rent here, so why not just have the space open till 2 a.m.?”
In a short time, things have blown up, with the events being shared on social media. In fact, organizing them has become a huge part of his day-to-day — but “it’s fun,” he says.
What to expect
Love music? If you’re free on a Friday or Saturday night, it’s worth checking out — no matter what you listen to,
From hip-hop and pop to punk and house, each musical guest plays something a little bit different.
DJs from all over the city have begun reaching out to him, and with that, its popularity and diversity continue to grow.
Thanks to Nick and his team, new artists are getting their names out there and are able to put on shows with far less stress.
“There’s not a ton of venues this size, you know? Most DJs, if they want to throw a party, they have to fill a room with three to four hundred people, which is probably a lot of pressure on them,” he said, adding that some of his staff are even taking advantage of such a unique opportunity.
“I have like three or four staff who DJ, and we’re going to do a staff night where they all throw a party.”
If you’d like to check it out, parties and lineups are posted on their Instagram.
There is no cover, and while they stop serving sandwiches at 10 p.m., you are able to have a drink and snack on things like mozzarella sticks and olives.
It is certainly a one-of-a-kind place, and they don’t show any signs of slowing down.
“I’m glad that people are enjoying the space that I built… I feel like Calgary needs more places like this.”
Where: 1004 17th Ave. SW, Calgary
