Loco Lou's 2.0 Arcade Bar & Grill

I've never been compelled to write a bad review, and I've never been compelled to leave zero tip. I don't expect the most amazing service any time I go out to eat or drink, but this was aggressively bad. We walked in, the waitresses looked at us, said hi and walked away. There was already kind of a weird vibe here, but we assumed this meant we should seat ourselves since they didnt tell us to hold on a second, or anything like that. We sat down, and never had anyone come over to us. I finally went and ordered drinks from the bar and apologized for seating ourselves. We got our drinks, but then had to track down a server to order another round and get menus. Honestly, so far it's fine... not the best service, but it's ok. Our waitress came back at some point, seemed to be rushing us to order and kinda angry for some reason. We apologized and said we were waiting for another person before ordering. She walked off.

After we finally ordered food we had a different waitress come over and give us nachos. It seemed to everyone at the table that the nachos were an appetizer that they serve everyone on the house. When our waitress came back finally she chewed us out and asked who ordered the nachos and why we were eating them? We explained that we assumed that they came with our meal and she left angrily. We never heard whether or not we were supposed to eat them. We still assumed it was on the house but she never came over and apologized or explained what happened.

The owner (or manager) came over to check our IDs after we ordered our first set of drinks and he seems really nice. The waitress that wasn't our main one, who brought the nachos, seemed nice. But the one we had just seemed angry at us the whole time. Not a good experience which is unfortunate. I'd been looking forward to going here for quite a while, it's such a cool looking restaurant. I don't plan on returning though.

Charlie sound guy alway checking in making convo keeping the bar clean would 100% recommend

Surly bartentender too busy to take food orders or connect with customers. I’m not super picky but after sitting there with an empty drink and still waiting to submit a food order, I picked up and left.

Was welcomed with a smile. Played some pool and had excellent service -- Charlie was , hilarious and great with his service. Will definitely come back to have some late night drinks and free pool ! Hosted by a wonderful bar keep.

Charlie was incredibly attentive, excellent bar tender. Made me feel very welcomed

Five Stars Isn’t Enough for Charlie – The Best Bartender in Western Canada!

As the late-night manager, Charlie runs the show with style and ease no question about it. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself at Loco Lous while Charlie is working, prepare yourself for one of the most unforgettable nights of your life. Charlie doesn’t just pour drinks—he pours joy, laughter, and good vibes into every moment.

From the second we walked in, Charlie made us feel like old friends. His quick wit had us laughing all night, and his warm smile made the entire experience feel like a celebration. He has that rare gift of reading the room and knowing exactly how to elevate the energy. Whether you’re looking for a chill evening or a wild night out, Charlie makes it happen with effortless charm.

We came for the drinks, but we stayed for Charlie—and we’ll definitely be back for more. Loco Lou’s is lucky to have him, and so were we.

Charlie is an amazing bartender. He is so quick and efficient. All the waitresses are so professional and friendly!! Love this place

Had Charlie serving was on top of food orders and refills drinks were fast to arrive and very good will come back just for him

Charlie was our server and he killed it. He was quick with the orders and food and he just brought a whole fun atmosphere to the night and the table 10/10 if you have him he will treat you right. Kept our beers full all night

If you're looking for a bartender who combines skill, charisma, and genuine care, look no further than Charlie at Loco Lou’s Grill & Bar. Nestled in the heart of Calgary's vibrant 16th Avenue NW, Loco Lou’s has long been a favorite among locals and students alike. While the arcade games and daily specials draw the crowd, it's Charlie who keeps them coming back.

From the moment you approach the bar, Charlie's warm smile and infectious energy make you feel like part of the family. Whether you're a first-timer or a regular, Charlie remembers your name, your favorite drink, and always has a genuine conversation ready. It's not just about mixing drinks; it's about creating an experience.

Charlie's expertise behind the bar is unparalleled. Need a recommendation? Charlie's got you covered. Craving a custom cocktail? Consider it crafted. Every pour is precise, every garnish perfect, and every drink served with a side of personality.

But it's not just about the drinks. Charlie has an uncanny ability to read the room, ensuring every guest feels welcomed and valued. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just unwinding after a long day, Charlie's presence elevates the atmosphere, making it feel like home.

In a city brimming with bars, Charlie at Loco Lou’s stands out as a beacon of excellence. If you're in Calgary and haven't experienced the magic of Charlie behind the bar, you're missing out. Loco Lou’s isn't just a place to grab a drink; it's a destination, and Charlie is the reason many choose to return time and time again.

Last night myself and some friends went for the wing night. Had an amazing time! The wings and beer were very good! It was all around a great experience. Definitely will be going back for more great nights and memories!

One of the highlights was definitely the interactions I had with the bartender Charlie! Probably one of the best bartenders I’ve been served by! He had amazing food suggestions, was so well trained in tending to customers that most times he never had to right down what I asked for, and held great conversation as I think most can agree bartenders need great people skills. I hope to go back and be served by Charlie again as he makes the night that much more special!

I've been coming to Loco Lous as a student at SAIT now for 1.5 years. When Charlie started here, it went from almost dead every day to BUMPING. Hes integral to the life of the bar. Charlie is an insanely charismatic and joyfull bartender, hence why I've been coming back. On top of that, the servers Nicole, Jordis, Ary, and Lily have all become really good friends of mine. Gary (the owner) has been a super nice guy, and we've chatted on multiple occasions now. I cant speak more highly of the staff and consider this place a home away from home.

I had originally gave a 1 star review which I have left the details below. However after the incident and the owner reaching out to discuss and rectify I will return and support him as a small business owner as I do feel it is important. He obviously cares about his business and based on many of the other reviews more of a one off than the normal for this place.

Original review
I can’t even rate the food or the service as no one served us. Spoke to the blonde girl behind the bar that we were in a bit of a hurry - She came to the table beside us and got their money for the bill and still didn’t even take our drink order. Definitely won’t be back

We went there before the Gerry Dee at the Jubilee on Monday. We were there at 5:15pm and got our bill at 7:30pm. They had one server on shift who was 4 days into the job (poor service not entirely on her). The place was not busy which seemed unusual for a bar directly across from SAIT and near the Jubilee. In our over 2 hour stay which would have included lots of drinks (if they ever came) we each had 2 drinks (one lucky person got a 3rd) and an entree. The keg apparently needed changing which took a very long time and we were not once asked if we would like a different drink. It was an overall horrible experience. Many people left while we were sitting having our meal. If it wasn't for the sun and patio, we would have left too. We will not be returning and this had been the spot we would go to prior to any event at the Jubilee.

Amazing dive bar if you’re looking for a cold pint and friendly staff. I used to love when Juan was here, he was the life of the bar. Place is still great and a good place to go if your in sait