With the conference less than two weeks away (yippee!), we wanted to share some insider tips for the weekend. This mini-guide has you covered for your time here in Kitchener-Waterloo, and includes everything from breakfasts to night caps.

Venues

Let us reassure you that getting around between conference venues is easy peasy. We've highlighted each of the important locations on the map below.

__Library If you're signed up for a Friday morning pre-conference workshop, you'll be hanging out at the newly renovated central library. Not just a warehouse for books, this beautiful place is a community space where people gather to learn, share, listen and be heard — perfect for a day of hands-on fun!

__The Tannery The core program and Friday afternoon's workshop both take place at the Communitech Hub in Kitchener’s Innovation district. This space in the renovated Lang Tannery building is perfect for our weekend of diving deep into design and UX. Keep your eyes peeled for The Hub’s dozens of tenant companies, which range from startups to the likes of D2L and Google.

__City Hall Panorama When your Saturday afternoon session ends, take a stroll down King Street for a chance to kick back at Fluxible’s dinner party. City Hall isn’t just a place for parking tickets and water bills — rather, it’s an award-winning space that celebrates community and experiences.

Expect driving slow-downs

If you're planning to drive while in town, please keep in mind that many streets in the downtown core are closed as the region prepares for the installation of its new Light Rail and Mobility Hub (a future Fluxible talk, perhaps?). At the time of this posting, some roads are closed at key stretches close to our venues, such as King Street between Union and Victoria and Charles Street between Joseph and Ottawa. Check here for up to date road closures.

Breakfast options

Team Fluxible knows that food can turn a good event into something great, so you'll enjoy delicious lunches, snacks and a Saturday night dinner. However, you will need to get your own breakfasts.

  • Aqua Lounge: This restaurant is housed in the Crowne Plaza hotel, so it might be the most convenient. They open at 6:30am on Friday and 7am on the weekend.

  • Yeti Cafe: Located near the Crowne Plaza and next to the farmer's market (which will be hopping early on Saturday morning!), this eclectic cafe serves a delicious breakfast and heart-warming coffee. If you're interested, be sure to visit when they open at 7am on Saturday morning, as they don't open until 9am on Sunday.

  • Coffee Culture: A good option if you're on foot and want to grab a breakfast sandwich on your way to Fluxible. Added bonus if you're an early riser: Coffee Culture opens at 6am.

  • Angel's Diner: A popular family-style restaurant that serves generous, classic breakfasts. Note you'll need to get there by car or taxi. They open at 7 am on Saturday and 8 am on Sunday.

  • Cora: A little further afield in Waterloo Town Square, but a good option for fruit-laden breakfasts if you are driving. Cora opens at 7 am.

After-party socializing

Our top pick for late-evening drinks on either Friday or Saturday night is TWH Social. It's located just blocks from City Hall and the Crowne Plaza hotel, so you can easily continue the fun after the Fluxible party ends at 9:00 on Saturday.

Looking for something different? Here are a few choices in downtown Kitchener:

  • McCabe's Irish Pub & Grill: If you're looking for a spot to watch the game, this is the place to go. Also, their new rooftop patio offers an urban retreat experience with great views of the city.

  • Gilt: Check out this new contemporary restaurant in the heart of Kitchener's Innovation District. It features a sharing menu and a social atmosphere.

  • Firkin at the Tannery: If you can't get enough of the event space, make your way back and grab a drink at the Firkin pub. A great spot to watch the game or grab a late night snack.

You can also find some fabulous hangouts in Uptown Waterloo. We recommend you travel by taxi (which will run you about $10 each way from the Fluxible venue) or car if you have a designated driver:

  • Jane Bond: A live music venue that also has a vegetarian menu. Come here to unwind with some good tunes.

  • Starlight: If dancing the night away is more your style, the Starlight will provide the music and the dance floor!

  • White Rabbit: A new spirit house that boasts the longest back-bar in the area. If vintage cocktails are your thing, be sure to hit this place.

Free time fun

There's a ton going on in Kitchener the weekend of Fluxible, so you have lots of options should you find yourself with free time.

  • Koi Music Festival: Looking to hear some live music? You'll have hit up just the right town! Kitchener's downtown core will be turned into a music mecca all weekend, with both indoor and outdoor stages. You can check out the full schedule on their website.

  • Word on the Street: If you're looking for something novel, check out this literary festival. From author readings, to discussions, workshops and activities with some of Canada’s favourite authors and books, there’s plenty to see and do at the nation's largest FREE book and magazine festival.

  • Impact 15: And what's a weekend without a bit of dramatic flair? This biennial international theatre festival organized by MT Space, presents some of the finest work locally, nationally and internationally. Indigenous and culturally diverse work from Canada and around the world are the focus, with special emphasis on interdisciplinary, intercultural, and physical productions.

Now that you have all this info, we hope you have a great stay. Be sure to also check out our Locations page for more information on getting here. If we've missed something or you have any questions, leave us a comment below or send us a Tweet. See you there!