20 Best Calgary Cocktail Bars & Lounges
1) Proof
3) The Hawthorn Dining Room & Bar
2) Magpie
🐙 Vibe: Tiny, Modern, Busy
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 3/5
This tiny cocktail bar is a well known classic in Calgary! It is always busy and located conveniently downtown. They've also won many awards for being one of Canada's Top 50 Bars!
2) Magpie
3) The Hawthorn Dining Room & Bar
2) Magpie
🖤 Vibe: Small, Divey, Eclectic
📍 Location: East Village
💎 Fanciness Factor: 1/5
Magpie offers a different experience than fancy cocktail lounges. It's a lowkey place with high quality drinks. It's sometimes quiet, but always has great vibes.
3) The Hawthorn Dining Room & Bar
3) The Hawthorn Dining Room & Bar
3) The Hawthorn Dining Room & Bar
🏛️ Vibe: Old Luxury Hotel
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 5/5
If you're looking for an enchanting and sophisticated cocktail bar, this is the place! It's located inside the Fairmont Palliser. They also are on the list of Canada's Top 5 most exquisite restrooms.
4) Missy's This or That
4) Missy's This or That
3) The Hawthorn Dining Room & Bar
🤪️ Vibe: Oddball, Bare Bones
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 1/5
Missy's is a quirky wine and cocktail bar located downtown. The staffs' knowledge on drinks is what makes Missy's a quality destination.
5) One 18 Empire
4) Missy's This or That
6) Fleetwood Lounge
🥃 Vibe: Modern, Business
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 3/5
If your party is a fan of whiskey, bring them to One 18 Empire! They take whiskey cocktails to the next level with their arsenal of over 300 whiskeys, ryes, bourbons, and scotches. The location is one with lots of city heritage and modern charm.
6) Fleetwood Lounge
4) Missy's This or That
6) Fleetwood Lounge
🍇 Vibe: Vintage Luxury
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 3/5
Fleetwood is a top-notch lounge with timeless cocktails and shareables located at The Oliver. They have a laidback ambiance decorated in chic & vintage art.
7) Major Tom
8) Ricardo’s Hideaway
8) Ricardo’s Hideaway
👔 Vibe: 60's Mad Men
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 4/5
Major Tom is a restaurant that resides on the 40th floor of Stephen Avenue Place downtown Calgary. It's ambience is intentionally reminiscent of a Mad Men episode meanwhile serving exquisite cocktails.
8) Ricardo’s Hideaway
8) Ricardo’s Hideaway
8) Ricardo’s Hideaway
🌴 Vibe: Tropical Getaway
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 1/5
Ricardo's Hideaway is a charming oasis just footsteps off 17th Ave. Stepping inside will transport you to a tropical paradise full of rum-infused delights.
9) Sweet Loretta
8) Ricardo’s Hideaway
9) Sweet Loretta
🕺 Vibe: 70's Dance Club
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 3/5
Sweet Loretta offers a wildly entertaining experience from start to finish. It's a leading disco lounge right in Calgary! Venture downstairs and you'll find Otto, a hidden tiki bar with a vibrant Hawaiian atmosphere.
10) The Derrick
11) Prosperity Bar
9) Sweet Loretta
🛢️ Vibe: Country, Oil Money
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 3/5
The Derrick is known for its smoked meat, local charm, and relaxed Western ambiance. They have an impressive collection of 100 different gins, martinis, negronis and G&Ts.
11) Prosperity Bar
11) Prosperity Bar
11) Prosperity Bar
🏖️ Vibe: Tiki, Tropical, Beach
📍 Location: Chinatown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 1/5
Craving a vacation? Prosperity Bar's cocktails will transport you to your ideal tropical location with tropical drinks and American fusion dishes. A short walk from here is Paper Lantern, a Vietnamese speakeasy owned by the same team.
12) Side Hustle
11) Prosperity Bar
11) Prosperity Bar
🍂 Vibe: 70's Casual
📍 Location: Marda Loop
💎 Fanciness Factor: 2/5
Side Hustle provides an easy-going groovy vibe with a thoughtfully selected wine list. They got classic cocktails and unique creations.
13) Klein/Harris
14) Frenchie Wine Bar
14) Frenchie Wine Bar
🍁 Vibe: Simplistic Upscale Canadian
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 4/5
Klein/Harris has a well organized cocktail menu with a special category: True North, cocktails made with locally sourced ingredients. A simple but classy destination decorated with Canadian charm.
14) Frenchie Wine Bar
14) Frenchie Wine Bar
14) Frenchie Wine Bar
🍷 Vibe: Intimate Dark Lounge
📍 Location: 17th ave
💎 Fanciness Factor: 2/5
Attached to Una Pizza, this used to be a bit of a speakeasy type of place but is now more widely advertised/accessible. Don't let the "wine bar" title fool you, there are plenty of delicious cocktails to be had here as well!
15) Avitus Wine Bar
14) Frenchie Wine Bar
15) Avitus Wine Bar
🥖 Vibe: Tiny, French, Rustic
📍 Location: Marda Loop
💎 Fanciness Factor: 2/5
This spot has been incredibly popular since it opened for its unique experience. Rather than a menu, you tell the waiter or waitress what kind of wine you like and they bring one out that suites your taste!
16) Bar Rocca
18) Blue Rock Swim Club
15) Avitus Wine Bar
🍷 Vibe: Italian Charm
📍 Location: Marda Loop
💎 Fanciness Factor: 3/5
This tiny spot seats just 20 people, so make a reservation in advance! The menu includes all the classic cocktails with a unique charm. A great spot for socializing with friends.
17) The Wednesday Room
18) Blue Rock Swim Club
18) Blue Rock Swim Club
🪓 Vibe: The Shining
📍 Location: Stephen Avenue
💎 Fanciness Factor: 4/5
A setting inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, with its highly recognizable carpet and eerie décor gives this place a cinematic flair. The cocktail list here is both plentiful and experimental.
18) Blue Rock Swim Club
18) Blue Rock Swim Club
18) Blue Rock Swim Club
🗽 Vibe: Moody, Vintage New York
📍 Location: Mission
💎 Fanciness Factor: 4/5
Tucked away in mission, Blue Rock Swim Club is a moody place with hush vibes. They got a unique cocktail menu perfect for those ready to try something new.
19) Fine Print
19) Fine Print
19) Fine Print
📚 Vibe: Literature
📍 Location: Stephen Avenue
💎 Fanciness Factor: 4/5
Once home to the iconic Divino Wine and Cheese Bistro and even the historic *Calgary Herald* headquarters, the space is bright and inviting. They also have a well-hidden speakeasy downstairs, Heavily Redacted.
20) Bar Gigi
19) Fine Print
19) Fine Print
🍸 Vibe: Intimate, Vintage
📍 Location: Crescent Heights
💎 Fanciness Factor: 3/5
Bar Gigi quickly made a name for itself with its unique charm and standout cocktail list. This earned them a spot on the shortlist for Canada’s Top New Restaurants. Heads up, you should make a reservation in advance.