50 Best Cocktail Bars in Calgary

“Excellent food and friendly staff. Great atmosphere.“

“Really enjoyed this spot, so glad friends suggested it. The varied gallery collection is fun and it is a very bright, airy space.
Good little menu that is well structured to offer multiple vegan, gluten free, top 10 allergen-free dishes that dont require mods. Cant wait to go back.“

“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“

“WOW WOW WOW - We stumbled upon Prohibition when we was doing a bar crawl of the area and my god what a treat, we wanted some great cocktails and that's what we got.. the level of detail on the venue and the drinks themselves in top tier. So tasty and very creative. Well done!!

The server was sooooo friendly and such a lovely way of talking about the venue and the drinks. The massive surprise was when the drinks arrive and they come in such a dramatic entrance on a display or in a box or cage. So well thought out.

I have 1 note for the owner or manager. You have such a lovely venue, and idea with how the drinks are and how the venue looks and feels. I do feel your staff uniform should look the part too.. proper get into the look and feel of a proper Prohibition Bar. Just wearing black i think it spoils the rest of vibe and the experience as they wasn't dressed in costume etc. if you did that I feel I could have been the best bar in Calgary then!“

“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.“

“Came by today and the bartender was so fun and obviously super passionate about his work. I’ve been here 5 or 6 times over the past couple years and always leave in a much better mood than I was in when I got there. Just a stunning spot downtown that I can’t recommend enough!“

“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.“

“Fun cocktail bar in East Village! Drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic, were great! Service was friendly and chill. All the food is vegan, but even as a meat eater it was tasty and worth the price. Bar seating and some regular tables are on the first level. The bar is on the main floor of the Orange Lofts building, so the space also has a small loft area at the top for seating (maybe 8+ seats total?).“

“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 🥰❤️“

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

“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!!“

“Had such a great time at Proof Cocktail Bar in Calgary! We tried the Miami Vice and Blue Monday, and both cocktails were really tasty and had such unique flavors. The drinks were beautifully made and definitely felt like something you wouldn’t get at just any cocktail bar.

The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. The atmosphere was also really cute, cozy, and clean, making it a great place to go for drinks and hang out.

Overall, a really fun experience with great cocktails, friendly service, and a beautiful atmosphere. Definitely somewhere I’d come back to try more drinks!“

“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!“

“Great food and service! Highly recommend!“

“I got recommended to try here for the burgers. They've only got two of them one the menu, along with a ton of different sandwiches. I ordered their double burger with a side of coleslaw. The burger came out looking like a classic double cheeseburger. With all the toppings, it was a delicious wet mess in the best way. I enjoyed it to the last bite. The coleslaw was fresh and light and made a good side if you don't want to just go with one of the different 'fries' options they have. Paired with a nice local draft beer, it was an enjoyable meal while I was visiting in town.“

“Food was very bland. The french onion soup has next to no flavor, very disappointing. The gravy tastes like flour and water mixture. Carter our server is a gem. Fantastic server. Love the dog friendly patio and the doggie menu. The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful. The patio is amazing. Please work on adding flavor to the food“

“Great atmosphere and all the serving staff were super nice. Some of the cocktails are very heavy so I’d recommend asking about the ingredients beforehand. Also the popcorn chicken and the cheese bread were absolutely amazing. The only downside is that it gets quite busy, so even with a reservation you might have to wait for a bit.“

“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.“

“It was our first time here, and we are officially hooked!! Hands down, one of the BEST restaurants! The food was absolutely delicious, and the staff were amazing. This was our first time trying Korean food, and the staff went above and beyond with their service and made us feel so welcome.

We ordered the garlic fried chicken, spicy beef soup, and fried chicken, and EVERYTHING was phenomenal!!

My only regret is not taking photos before our meal. As soon as the food arrived, it was so beautifully presented and smelled so incredible that we completely forgot about taking pictures!

I ordered the spicy beef soup, and it was prepared to perfection! It wasn’t too spicy and was packed with flavour, fresh vegetables, noodles, and tender beef strips. The beef had this incredible buttery flavour that was SO good and really made the soup stand out.

We will absolutely be back! ❤“

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

“Our experience tonight was truly enjoyable. We went with our two children, and the decor is absolutely amazing; even after an hour, we were still discovering new details! The food was good, and the cocktail experience was really cool! The waitress was very attentive. A very nice concept!“

“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“

“A dear friend of mine stop by this vary spot at least once a week, I can say this is his personal watering hole - per se

I only manage to come with him once, but since he is the VIP in this lounge, I don't think it's fair for me to make a review with it, due to he can get the 5 stars treatment as long as he steps his foot into the door,

So this time I come alone. no body can spot me, no body can recognized me, so I think I can be honest about it

Menu is very simple, most of the drinks are pre-batch, this is to rest assure the quality and consistency of each cocktail, which is the best way to do it

Food menu wise, I think they are smart too, they served the best CAN food you can find in the market, like Anthony Bourdain said, if the Spain people can preserve the best seafood into a can, and ship it around the world, this idea is genious -

All they need is just some warm sour dough bread on the side, and open the can ,,,,viola

Save the kitchen investment, Save the kitchen labour, if the idea is working fine, don't change it

So if you want a cool cocktail, with some great snack, Missy's would be great place for you to stop by“

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

“Last minute decision always makes for the best experiences!
Our server Steph was a gem! He really knew the menu, was professional and suggested we get Pork Tacos and Hot Italian pizza which were to die for!
Overall amazing experience! Will definitely be coming back!“

“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!!“

“We really enjoyed our experience here. I had the cheese burger with fries. Both are delicious! I am already planning my next visit and plan to order the fajita!

This location is clean and popular. It’s not the biggest dining area so it can get pretty busy. FYI.“

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

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

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

“Love this place! Went for the first time today and had the Shakshuka, it was delicious. But we were pleasantly surprised by the donut of the day. It was suggested we start with that and boy we were happy we did!! One of the best donuts I’ve never had.“

“One of the best experiences i have had! Our server was Liz and she did an amazing job, she was fast, understanding, always checked in with us, and just the sweetest cutest person i’ve ever met! I wish her very well!! Food was incredible!“

“Amazing lunch and service. Just wow“

“good ambience. well behaved staff“

“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!“

“I was in there Friday June 12 2026. I had the nicest, warmest, most engaging server I have ever had!!!! Her name was Annika Z. She took the time and lots of it, to chat me up. We had some things in common, there was a problem with my gift certificate card. It had a balance but their machine said no balance. They got it straightened out, I just paid with Visa before that Well Annika waived my bill and said it would come off of my Visa in a couple of days. She did not need to do that, I gave her an even bigger tip for her kindness, as I did not see the need to have the meal cost deleted, as machines will be machines. Again the best, sweetest and kindest server I have ever had. The ladies at this Earls are simply stunning...all of them, but Annika had that something special. I am not sure if I have the correct one, but she is 23 and just finishing college. I do not want this tribute to go ot the wrong person should there be another with the same name. She was the best!!!!!!“

“We ended up here after spending a few hours at Zen Gardens, and I’m so glad we did! The vibes were great, the service was fantastic, and Ben was truly exceptional—super attentive, friendly, and fast. We had such a fun time and got a ton of food and drinks for under $100 during happy hour. Definitely not disappointed and would absolutely come back!“

“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!“

“I tried Modern Steak since my mom was craving a halal burger and they have a wagyu burger option. We were seated quickly without waiting even though it was busy. The wait time was a little long and it was a little hard to catch our waitress, but I don’t blame them since it was busy. I got a halal ribeye steak and it was cooked just right. The quality was also worth the price. The wagyu burger in my opinion was a little lacklustre, but wagyu is always best simple so it was alright. The star of dinner was the Baked Alaska. Absolutely delicious. I would come back just to eat the Baked Alaska again. Definitely recommend for steak and just to try the Baked Alaska.“

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

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

“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“

“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.“

“Wonderful attentive service with friendly and fun atmosphere.“