We came in for a quick stop before an event that we arrived too early for. Such a unique and very cool bar! We arrived at 7pm so we were the only people inside to enjoy the space. We tried a basil and tomato cocktail and it was so delicious. We'll have to come back to try more drinks from their extensive menu, they all sound fabulous.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vivian DL
Fantastic and original cocktails, friendly and knowledgeable staff. If only we lived around the corner, we'd be back every week!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
feriyal hallajarani
Stopped by The Shelter for a quick cocktail and was very impressed. The atmosphere is cool and unique, the mixologist was friendly and knowledgeable, and the cocktails had incredible layers of flavor that blended perfectly. Definitely a must-try cocktail bar in Calgary!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lisa
Okay I’ve obviously known shelter was a cool place for a long time but finally made it there and WOW, it is worth the hype. The creepy vibe inside is matched with well balanced craft cocktails and great service. This is a fun place and maybe one of the best cocktails I’ve had this year. Great job team!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fadi Atiyeh
Shelter is such a cool bar with intimate seating, great food and drinks but what puts it over the edge was the incredible service. Zerind was amazing, while bartending, serving, running food and hosting he provided excellent service. I wish they had closed the blinds to give a darker atmosphere but would definitely recommend this place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loretta Abado
Drinks were fantastic. Ambience was great. Staff gave fantastic suggestions for food and drink in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Derek
This place is the place to be with carefully crafted cocktails and a themed and comfortable lounge. The attention to detail is there and the cocktails are worth their money. A long standing gem in Calgary, especially since there are so many subpar bars and lounges out there. I'd recommend going on the waitlist early. There is a rotating seasonal menu of cocktails so there's always something new to try out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Uzi Mirza
absolutely a fantastic time here, great cocktails and even better service, truly an experience to remember. thank you Zackary! (i hope i got ur name right, i did have a few cocktails)
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Arsalan E
Very cool cocktail bar in Calgary. The decor is very unique and fascinating and they have a pretty extensive list of cool cocktails. It is too bad they close pretty early most evenings.
Nice little cocktail bar. Great drinks and nice atmosphere. Very friendly staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
mark razidlo
I’ve been to 50 US states, six Canadian provinces, and a dozen countries in Europe and this is one of the best bars I’ve ever been to, small but mighty.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Gilbert MacWhirter
Excellent cocktails, lots of choices for everyone. Wonderful service.
Brittany Gagne
Hidden in plain sight, super unique, funky decor and the service is impeccable. Really tasty cocktails to boot! I love the aesthetic in this place and will definitely return.
Anton S.
Atmosphere: 9/10 Located in Calgary’s bustling nightlife zone, Shelter immediately sets itself apart with a distinct dystopian design theme — a fusion of Fallout-style post-apocalyptic vibes and steampunk grit. Gas masks dominate the decor, from the backbar to the walls, with intimate lighting that adds a moody, immersive edge. The seating layout is flexible and well thought-out: cozy couches near the entrance, communal tables deeper in, and proper bar seating that feels intentional. Backbar is well-lit and well-stocked. Music plays at a comfortable, mid-volume level — energetic, but you can still talk.
Drinks: 7.5/10 Recommendation: Tepache Madre The menu is visually engaging, with photos, alcohol content, and full flavor descriptions for each drink — including a separate seasonal section. Presentation is minimal, with average glassware and no coasters. Garnishes are sparse or skipped altogether. Still, the creativity is there in concept, and the drinks deliver where it counts: taste.
Service: 8.5/10 Water was served promptly. Team was friendly and professional. Prices are average for Calgary, and the experience aligns with it.
Shelter Cocktail Bar was recently ranked #99 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025 (51–100 list). I think the placement is well deserved.
We came in for a quick stop before an event that we arrived too early for. Such a unique and very cool bar! We arrived at 7pm so we were the only people inside to enjoy the space. We tried a basil and tomato cocktail and it was so delicious. We'll have to come back to try more drinks from their extensive menu, they all sound fabulous.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic and original cocktails, friendly and knowledgeable staff. If only we lived around the corner, we'd be back every week!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stopped by The Shelter for a quick cocktail and was very impressed. The atmosphere is cool and unique, the mixologist was friendly and knowledgeable, and the cocktails had incredible layers of flavor that blended perfectly. Definitely a must-try cocktail bar in Calgary!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Okay I’ve obviously known shelter was a cool place for a long time but finally made it there and WOW, it is worth the hype. The creepy vibe inside is matched with well balanced craft cocktails and great service. This is a fun place and maybe one of the best cocktails I’ve had this year. Great job team!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shelter is such a cool bar with intimate seating, great food and drinks but what puts it over the edge was the incredible service. Zerind was amazing, while bartending, serving, running food and hosting he provided excellent service. I wish they had closed the blinds to give a darker atmosphere but would definitely recommend this place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Drinks were fantastic. Ambience was great. Staff gave fantastic suggestions for food and drink in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
This place is the place to be with carefully crafted cocktails and a themed and comfortable lounge. The attention to detail is there and the cocktails are worth their money. A long standing gem in Calgary, especially since there are so many subpar bars and lounges out there. I'd recommend going on the waitlist early. There is a rotating seasonal menu of cocktails so there's always something new to try out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
absolutely a fantastic time here, great cocktails and even better service, truly an experience to remember. thank you Zackary! (i hope i got ur name right, i did have a few cocktails)
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Very cool cocktail bar in Calgary. The decor is very unique and fascinating and they have a pretty extensive list of cool cocktails. It is too bad they close pretty early most evenings.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Great vibe! Fantastic cocktails
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Nice little cocktail bar. Great drinks and nice atmosphere. Very friendly staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I’ve been to 50 US states, six Canadian provinces, and a dozen countries in Europe and this is one of the best bars I’ve ever been to, small but mighty.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Excellent cocktails, lots of choices for everyone. Wonderful service.
Hidden in plain sight, super unique, funky decor and the service is impeccable. Really tasty cocktails to boot! I love the aesthetic in this place and will definitely return.
Atmosphere: 9/10
Located in Calgary’s bustling nightlife zone, Shelter immediately sets itself apart with a distinct dystopian design theme — a fusion of Fallout-style post-apocalyptic vibes and steampunk grit. Gas masks dominate the decor, from the backbar to the walls, with intimate lighting that adds a moody, immersive edge. The seating layout is flexible and well thought-out: cozy couches near the entrance, communal tables deeper in, and proper bar seating that feels intentional. Backbar is well-lit and well-stocked. Music plays at a comfortable, mid-volume level — energetic, but you can still talk.
Drinks: 7.5/10
Recommendation: Tepache Madre
The menu is visually engaging, with photos, alcohol content, and full flavor descriptions for each drink — including a separate seasonal section. Presentation is minimal, with average glassware and no coasters. Garnishes are sparse or skipped altogether. Still, the creativity is there in concept, and the drinks deliver where it counts: taste.
Service: 8.5/10
Water was served promptly. Team was friendly and professional. Prices are average for Calgary, and the experience aligns with it.
Shelter Cocktail Bar was recently ranked #99 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025 (51–100 list). I think the placement is well deserved.
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