50 Best Cocktail Bars in Calgary

“Excellent food and friendly staff. Great atmosphere.“

“First time visitor. Love the ambiance , decor and space. The friendliness and service were impeccable. The food and drink were delicious and unique. I will be back. Loovveee“

“I love the artist lounge. The food is really quite amazing in the depth of flavours and in the quantity and quality of ingredients being served. I find the menu slightly limiting at times, but choosing to have a smaller menu to serve higher quality food isn’t a bad thing. Our server Stef was amazing! Really great energy and very attentive. She was helped make decisions on food and drink based on what was being said about preferences and made excellent comments regarding options. I found the atmosphere a bit chaotic due to a student gallery being held in the space without much notification of the event, but most of the event was contained in the gallery area making it a manageable amount of chaos.“

“Great atmosphere for a speak easy! our hostess, May Rose, was amazing! Celebrated my children's birthdays 18, 24! Establishment, Staff, Atmosphere, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“This is an amazing place. Some of the best cocktails I've had anywhere. The creativity is out of this world, and the unexpected combinations hang together well. These are thoughtful cocktails, not gimmicks. The food is also amazing. Fresh, excellently crafted with contrasts of flavor, seasoning, and texture. The pork, maple, miso bao is to die for, as is the dessert parfait. The bartenders and servers are friendly and attentive without being intrusive, and have excellent eyes for detail in service. The decor is fun and funky, with a wall of gas masks behind the bar, sandbags piled up as a partition between the bar and table service area, and terrific lighting. Finally, Shelter has some of the best acoustic design for dining and drinking of anywhere I've been. There is a nice ambient sound level, and they've got a great playlist, but the room is not very live, so other folks' conversations don't reverberate. This makes it easy to have a conversation without having to talk loudly or strain to listen, which is a rarity in bustling dining and drinking establishments. Whether you live in Calgary or are just visiting, checking out Shelter should be a priority.“

“Great spot in Chinatown for cocktails and food! We tried the Brussels sprouts, cheeseburger spring rolls and chicken bao buns, I would recommend any of these and am still thinking about them. Cocktails are creative and crafted with care, mine came on fire !“

“My new favourite lounge in town!“

“Amazing atmosphere, fantastic staff. Great music. Our server, Justin was fantastic. You really made my birthday something special. Definitely recommend this place.“

“Absolutely loved this place. Everything on the menu is vegan, which is already amazing, but what really stood out was the quality of the cocktails. Honestly, some of the best cocktails I’ve had not just in Calgary, but in Canada. Every drink was beautifully balanced and clearly made with a lot of care and creativity.

Josh, the bartender and owner, is incredibly talented and passionate about what he does. You can really tell he puts a lot of thought into every drink. Katie, our server, was also wonderful, super friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even better.

Whether you’re vegan or not, this place is 100% worth visiting. If you enjoy creative, well-crafted cocktails, I can’t recommend it enough. I’ll definitely be coming back.“

“Amazing experience!! Great service, food and drinks!! Highly recommended !!“

“I love the cocktails variety the food is super fresh the look of the lanterns it make it so romantic I love it, great service 🥰❤️“

“When you get over that looming taxidermy, everything else is less overwhelming haha. Really enjoyed that smoky beef tartare and drinks. ✨“

“AMAZING COCKTAILS FOOD IS AWESOME HIGHLY RECOMMEND“

“My wife and I had an amazing and memorable evening! Ryan and team out done themselves! Amazing atmosphere and food! Already planning our next private event here! Thank you!!“

“This is THE place to be any day of the week. Incredible craft cocktails, delicious bites, great prices especially during their generous happy hour. Special shout out to Will, who always goes above to remember us and make sure our experience is amazing.“

“Wow. Amazing place. I will be back. Went here for a dinner with some friends. Had the 10oz steak. The food quality was amazing. Nothing fancy. But the quality was in the meal. Mac and cheese was amazing. Fries were hot. And crispy. Not sitting in the heat window. Plates arrived cool to the touch. Excellent ticket timing from the kitchen. Service was perfect. Attentive. But not looming. Atmosphere was mom and pop shop diner but with some upscale class. Prices were reasonable. Well nothing is reasonable in Canada. But bill was less than I had expected. I was amazed by the quality of the food. And detail to cooking. Mid rate strip in a small cut like 10 is hard to not over cook. But mine arived perfect mid rare. Whole table had great experiences with the food. Menu was not trying to be overly fancy or trendy. Good quality. Well made food. I will be back.“

“10/10 service and ambience with high quality drinks. My only complaint is the time limit on the tables. 90 minutes felt too short. Not to mention it took 15-20 mins to make each round of drinks we had (for 2 people). It felt short and rushed. Provided we had a reservation booked, a 2 hour time limit would have felt more fair. Other than that the overall experience was great. Would recommend.“

“First timers in Calgary, on holiday from England. After scanning the area around our hotel for places to eat and drink we found The Prohibition Bar and decided to give it a go.
Well...we absolutely loved it and would definitely recommend it to anyone.
The atmosphere was great, we booked for 6pm so it was fairly quiet. Our server, Mitch, was absolutely fantastic, very friendly and helpful and seemed genuinely excited about some of the cocktails my wife was ordering.
Food wise, we had the Nonna's Meatballs and Spicy Mango Chicken Nachos...both were great.
Wonderful experience, so glad we did it !!!
Thank you all for a lovely evening!“

“This was my first time at Potion Room and I went to try out the Easter theme popup! I love anything bunnies 🐰 soo I loved this experience.💕 Much like theme bars/restaurants you are paying for the artistic plating.(it hurts my wallet a bit but I LOVE itt) I hope to come again to tryout more of the food options (but omgg the honey creole fries are 🔥 highly recommend I also got the butterchicken nachos💕) Bring your D&D friends to come here for some whimsy goodness“

“We had the pleasure of enjoying cocktails at poolside in the sunshine yesterday afternoon. Our server, Steph was exceptional! Steph was engaging, entertaining and professional. Steph made our afternoon experience delightful and memorable. We will most definitely return in the future! Congratulations Hotel Arts for hiring such a charismatic server.“

“My friends and I were there last July 08 for dinner. It was so busy but we were greeted immediately by a server and happened to be our server Raquelle) She is very informative, pleasant, approachable and very friendly, However busy it was she still manage to smile and be friendly. All the cocktails she recommend were very good and we all love it ( Golden Sunset, Whisky me Away, Confluence and the made by Ben) The food were also good. WE also had the Japanese old fashion that se also recommended. (i love it!!) Raquelle is one of the best server we had and we highly recommend this restaurant for her top notch service. We will definitely comeback. Thank you“

“The staff accomodated a group of 11 on a Saturday night. Service was awesome, every single sandwich was above expectations and the price was very reasonable. Cocktails were delicious and came out quickly. An easy 5 star review for this visit!“

“A must go to Restaurant. Just amazing food and ambiance!“

“Great food and service! Highly recommend!“

“My second time in Calgary was nothing short of perfection. Last year I dined here for my birthday and when the thought of what to do rolled around this year, flying to Calgary seemed both extra, and hilarious. But it stuck. Saltlik, you outdid yourself. I’ve been thinking of the Beeswax Old Fashioned for 366 days and it just hits the spot. Victoria B.C. hasn’t latched onto it yet but it’ll come. Dinner was exceptional but the real star or the show was Trevor. Exceptional service is becoming an almost lost art and this guy has it. His energetic read on the table and tailored charisma is what 90s career servers were made of. The kind of server who questions himself “how do I elevate this experience?!” And then executes. His tag team with Chris to make this birthday nothing short of Calgary perfection is exactly why we ended up here. Thank you for making us feel special, our dinner incredible and leaving us with yet another Saltlik memory for the books. Thanks over many thanks. We will see you again!“

“Chun Jang delivered a solid and enjoyable meal with several standout dishes. The spicy squid noodle soup was the clear highlight. The broth had a robust pepper-forward profile with a clean heat that did not overwhelm the aromatics, and the portion of squid was notably generous and well prepared. This single dish would justify a return visit.

The fried rice carried the characteristic wok-derived fragrance and paired well with the accompanying black bean sauce, offering a balanced savory element. The black bean noodles were less successful. The sauce leaned toward the sweet end of the spectrum, which limited depth and made it the least preferred item among our group.

The sweet and sour pork met expectations. The coating remained crisp, the sauce was well proportioned, and it functioned as a reliable classic that rounded out the meal.

Overall, Chun Jang offers strong execution on its spicy and savory dishes. The spicy squid noodle soup, in particular, deserves attention for its broth and portion quality.“

“We eat out a fair bit, but this was the best night out I have had in years! Have not been here before, but definitely coming back often. Came here with my wife and one of our friends later on Saturday afternoon for happy hour and got seated at the bar, overlooking the kitchen. The happy hour drinks were very good, and the food was fantastic. We ended up staying for dinner, and every dish was beautifully prepared, tasty and original - not just a variation on something you would get at a restaurant down the street. The staff were so friendly and welcoming. Our waiter provided excellent service. He always knew the right time to check up on us and see if we needed more drinks or food. Nice guy too. I originally was a little disappointed to get seated at the bar instead of a table - now I would not want to sit anywhere else. Loved to watch the skills and teamwork of the kitchen staff, who were very friendly and chatted with us when they had time. Loved everything about this place.“

“Jan is great, always a killer haircut, and good conversation, i would recommend Cannibale to anyone“

“Such a great vibe! I highly recommend Best of Kin Social!“

“We had a wonderful evening - great vegan options :)“

“We have been to this Cactus Club lots of enjoyable times. We therefore decided to go there for our 54th wedding anniversary last Wednesday. Food was prompt and excellent and the manager arranged for a welcome drink of prosecco. Nice touch. The service by Jackie R was a 10-out-of-10 and we will certainly pay a visit to this restaurant again in the near future. Five stars!!“

“A heaven for Burgundy lovers. And for Champagne lovers. And for German Riesling lovers. And Rhône lovers. And Jerez lovers !

I wouldn’t choose any other place in Edmonton for my next meeting with Jasper Morris, Anne Krebiehl and Peter Liem lol

Meursault villages to the most coveted 1ers & Grands Crus in white and red:

Puligny, St. Aubin, Volnay, Pommard, Vosne-Romanee, Gevrey Chambertin, … Lafarge, Hubert Lamy, Leflaive, Mugneret-Gibourg, …

The Champagne section reads like a grower champagne social club: Agrapart, Roses de Jeanne, Delamotte, Roederer (practically a grower).

Quite a lot of rare wines here, including a Suenen Robarts - how did this rarity travel all the way from France without anyone having drunk or stolen it?

Cold cuts, sardines and cheese served, the place is full of young young, smiling people listening to unobtrusive music.
Make sure you find the stairs from the street level to get here.“

“I've been going to this Cactus Club for quite some time now, and had a great experience all around. It's a monthly stop for my mother and I to catch up and talk life, and I've also visited with friends to celebrate larger occasions. The atmosphere of the restaurant has a sleek higher-end feel, but it still resonates a cozy and grounded vibe. Anyone would be able to enjoy it casually, formally, or for everything in-between. Reservations are always preferred and very easy to make, and even without reservations we've always managed to find a spot somewhere inside or outside, even on busy days.

The food is excellent. I usually order some fries and the creole blackened chicken as a staple, and it's always the same quality and consistency no matter what day I order it. The taste is great and they're always willing to make substitutions for me if I ask, such as switching out the vegetables. My mother usually grabs a salad or the soft tacos, and has always had the same level of consistency and quality as I have. I often douse my fries in white vinegar (you should try it sometime if you haven't, you life will change) and their fries are the perfect kind of that particular ritual of mine.

In addition to the great food experience, while everybody on staff has been wonderful to us, I recently had a standout experience with a server named Tamara. She had mentioned on the off-hand that she had just started there recently but was doing her best to acclimate to the new environment, and we thought she was doing an excellent job. She was kind, attentive, and despite having only been there for a short while you never would have guessed it based on how she carried herself and her overall knowledge of the food and the work culture there. She's a star. Definitely hope to see her there again in the coming months!

All in all, a wonderful place with timeless consistency. I go there to catch up with people I love, or celebrate occasions of any kind. If you're looking for a spot to do the same, this is definitely the place for you.“

“It was not only Mothers Day but also my sons 18h Birthday. Our waitress was epic! Food and Drinks were great! Never disappoints 😉“

“If I could add more stars to our review we would!

My husband and I had dinner at Park by Sidewalk Citizen this evening, and left impressed with more than having had a beautiful meal. The staff at the restaurant went over and above to create a truly memorable experience!!

Every part of the evening was incredible! The wine was fresh and served at the perfect temperature, our meal was absolutely delicious - the falafel and lamb - well, there are no words!! Fabulous!!

We also loved the restaurant’s comfortable, relaxed vibe, filled with natural light and a garden like charm.

Chef Stefan, thank you! There is no denying your culinary gift!! You are an incredibly talented chef!! So Amazing!!!

We are looking forward to our next visit to Park by Sidewalk Citizen!“

“Some of the best Thai food I've had in Calgary. What beautiful menu. Delicious and fresh. Perfect flavors.“

“We were hosted by Sam. He was awesome in walking us through with the menu and helping us choose the dishes based on each of our dietary preferences. Sam made our special event even more special. We would definitely recommend Earls and Sam as the host 😁“

“This was my first time at modern steak and I am sure super impressed, I am a foodie and surprised I have not tried this restaurant.
However, service is top notch, I actually enjoy this place more than chairman’s 🤫
I highly recommend the tomahawk steak and king crab, went amazing together
Andrill was our server, he was wonderful but mostly appreciate there team to ensure great service! The manager came over checked in super nice and welcoming staff! I appreciate the amazing service and meal! I will absolutely be back very soon!“

“good ambience. well behaved staff“

“Tanaya Gave us amazing service, was very polite, checked in on us just enough to allow us to order food right as we were ready. Gave amazing selections and helped make the experience amazing, would love to come back and have the rest of the team be trained by how amazing she is at her job.“

“Just when you think they can't raise their game any higher Hy's manages to find a way. We attended the Calgary locations 10th Anniversary Celebration on Sept 26th and it was spectacular. The event was flawlessly organized and orchestrated by the Hy's team, the food was next level even by Hy's standards and the service exceeded anything we have experienced anywhere in North America even in the finest hotels. Bryant Olender added a classic background with piano and vocal stylings that perfectly suited the atmosphere. It was certainly the best evening we have at Hy's over the last decade, and I don't think I'm overstating it to say it was a "Once in a Lifetime" experience. A huge thankyou to Barb and the entire Hy's team!“

“Amazing lunch and service. Just wow“

“This experience rocked! We went for the Wednesday Date Night special and we had a blast.
The service was prompt, attentive, friendly and fun! We had fun!
Steak and side were awesome. Misses had Bolognese and I had mash potatoes both great. Desserts were top notch (brulee for her and pecan pie for me). The atmosphere was upscale but approachable. We felt comfortable and at ease. And everyone was so nice.
100% will be back!“

“Wonderful attentive service with friendly and fun atmosphere.“

“great place if u like waitresses with no customer service skills“

“"Great food, great service and not rushed" I definitely recommend it.“

“The best culinary experience you could possibly get for the price. The food was prepared with the upmost attention to detail. We did the Yakitori Omakase (15 course meal with drink pairings). The specially reserved seats in front of the kitchen offer a show, not just the meal. Our server Adam provided an 11/10 service, explaining the intricacies of each dish and how the each drink was tied into the given course. They also offer you the option to purchase 3 ounces of the 45 day beeswax aged A5 Waygu (which we also purchased and highly recommend to take in the full experience). You will not leave hungry, or unsatisfied in any way. If you’re in Calgary, you have to visit Shokunin.“

“We recently stayed here for a soccer tournament. The service was outstanding. Special shoutout to Anoosha. She was so kind, so welcoming and very attentive. Its not always easy catering to travel ball groups, but she made us feel so welcome and it was a pleasure dealing with her. Will definitely be back! Food was great“