15 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 little cocktail bar is one of Calgary's original places to go for a strong and fancy beverage. Everyone knows it and loves it! The drinks are fantastic and it's always busy no matter the time of day. Did I mention they've won multiple awards for Canada's Best Bar (Top 50)?!
2) Magpie
3) The Hawthorn Dining Room & Bar
2) Magpie
🖤 Vibe: Small, Divey, Eclectic
📍 Location: East Village
💎 Fanciness Factor: 1/5
This small dark bar offers something different from fancy cocktail lounges. It's low key and yet the drinks are still high quality. Try it before or after your dinner date!
3) The Hawthorn Dining Room & Bar
3) The Hawthorn Dining Room & Bar
3) The Hawthorn Dining Room & Bar
🏛️ Vibe: Traditional, Big Luxury Hotel
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 5/5
If you're aiming to sweep your date off their feet or indulge in a timeless evening out, look no further than The Hawthorn Dining Room. This enchanting establishment transports you to an era of unparalleled sophistication, where they truly know how to put
🏛️ Vibe: Traditional, Big Luxury Hotel
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 5/5
If you're aiming to sweep your date off their feet or indulge in a timeless evening out, look no further than The Hawthorn Dining Room. This enchanting establishment transports you to an era of unparalleled sophistication, where they truly know how to put on a show that would even impress The Ritz themselves!
And here's a little trivia for you:
The Hawthorn Dining Room has even earned a coveted spot on the list of Canada's top 5 most exquisite restrooms! Yes, you read that right. So, if you needed one more reason to experience this gem, just remember it's nestled within the opulent Fairmont Palliser. Make your reservations, and let the grandeur of The Hawthorn Dining Room whisk you away.
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 in an unassuming area. The vibe seems to be "less-is-more" and instead the focus is on simple quality and knowledgeable staff rather than décor or atmosphere.
5) One 18 Empire
4) Missy's This or That
6) Fleetwood Lounge
🥃 Vibe: Custom Whisky Drinks Made Tableside
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 3/5
Prepare to embark on a whiskey-lover's dream at ONE18 EMPIRE, where they've taken the art of whiskey to a whole new level. Steeped in the rich history of Calgary, this gem seamlessly blends the city's heritage with a dash of modern-day charm.
With an i
🥃 Vibe: Custom Whisky Drinks Made Tableside
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 3/5
Prepare to embark on a whiskey-lover's dream at ONE18 EMPIRE, where they've taken the art of whiskey to a whole new level. Steeped in the rich history of Calgary, this gem seamlessly blends the city's heritage with a dash of modern-day charm.
With an impressive arsenal of over 300 whisk(e)ys, ryes, bourbons, and scotches,
ONE18 EMPIRE offers a true haven for spirits connoisseurs. The bartenders here are true craftsmen, each sip they pour is a masterpiece in itself, making your visit an experience to remember.
6) Fleetwood Lounge
4) Missy's This or That
6) Fleetwood Lounge
🍇 Vibe: Modern Vintage Luxury
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 3/5
Fleetwood is the epitome of sophistication, a top-notch lounge where you can savor timeless cocktails and savor a delectable, shareable menu. Embrace the art of mingling and relaxation in Fleetwood's refined yet laid-back ambiance, adorned with chic vintage decor t
🍇 Vibe: Modern Vintage Luxury
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 3/5
Fleetwood is the epitome of sophistication, a top-notch lounge where you can savor timeless cocktails and savor a delectable, shareable menu. Embrace the art of mingling and relaxation in Fleetwood's refined yet laid-back ambiance, adorned with chic vintage decor that draws inspiration from the one-of-a-kind 1933 Cadillac Fleetwood showcased for all to admire.
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. The establishment boasts sixties-inspired décor and serves exquisite cocktails, making it a must-visit destination with epic views of downtown.
8) Ricardo’s Hideaway
8) Ricardo’s Hideaway
8) Ricardo’s Hideaway
🌴 Vibe: Tropical Getaway
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 1/5
Step into Ricardo's Hideaway, a charming oasis open exclusively on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Seating yourself in this cozy establishment is like embarking on a brief escape from reality. Transported to a tropical paradise, you'll find yourself immersed in a wor
🌴 Vibe: Tropical Getaway
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 1/5
Step into Ricardo's Hideaway, a charming oasis open exclusively on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Seating yourself in this cozy establishment is like embarking on a brief escape from reality. Transported to a tropical paradise, you'll find yourself immersed in a world of rum-infused delights, reminiscent of Hemingway's adventures.
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. Upstairs, you'll discover Calgary's leading inclusive disco bar and a chic lounge that specializes in well-crafted, spirit-forward cocktails and expertly prepared shareable dishes. If you're seek
🕺 Vibe: 70's Dance Club
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 3/5
Sweet Loretta offers a wildly entertaining experience from start to finish. Upstairs, you'll discover Calgary's leading inclusive disco bar and a chic lounge that specializes in well-crafted, spirit-forward cocktails and expertly prepared shareable dishes. If you're seeking a truly immersive cocktail adventure, venture downstairs to Otto, the hidden tiki bar within Sweet Loretta, where you'll find an array of exotic beverages and a vibrant Hawaiian atmosphere.
10) The Derrick
11) Prosperity Bar
9) Sweet Loretta
🛢️ Vibe: Country, Modern, Oil Money
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 3/5
At The Derrick, a Downtown bar known for its smoked meat, local charm, and a relaxed Western ambiance, Gin takes center stage. The bar boasts an impressive collection of almost 100 different gins, making martinis, negronis, and G&Ts the stars of the show. How
🛢️ Vibe: Country, Modern, Oil Money
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 3/5
At The Derrick, a Downtown bar known for its smoked meat, local charm, and a relaxed Western ambiance, Gin takes center stage. The bar boasts an impressive collection of almost 100 different gins, making martinis, negronis, and G&Ts the stars of the show. However, the menu doesn't stop there, as it features an extensive array of inventive cocktails. Gin plays a prominent role in this cocktail selection, but fear not if gin isn't your preference; there are plenty of options to cater to every palate.
The menu also showcases unexpected infusions, syrups, bitters, and unique ingredients such as truffle oil and carrot cake water.
11) Prosperity Bar
11) Prosperity Bar
11) Prosperity Bar
🏖️ Vibe: Tiki, Tropical, Beach
📍 Location: Chinatown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 1/5
Coming from the same owners as Paper Lantern we know that Prosperity Bar can deliver on a good time! Expect tropical drinks and a dark & lively bar atmosphere.
12) Side Hustle
11) Prosperity Bar
11) Prosperity Bar
🍂 Vibe: 70's Casual
📍 Location: Marda Loop
💎 Fanciness Factor: 2/5
The idea behind the aesthetic space, adorned with sofas and a groovy carpet, exudes a vintage mid-century modern ambience, accompanied by a food menu that elevates classic comfort dishes to a whole new level.
When it comes to beverages, you'll find a thoughtfully selected w
🍂 Vibe: 70's Casual
📍 Location: Marda Loop
💎 Fanciness Factor: 2/5
The idea behind the aesthetic space, adorned with sofas and a groovy carpet, exudes a vintage mid-century modern ambience, accompanied by a food menu that elevates classic comfort dishes to a whole new level.
When it comes to beverages, you'll find a thoughtfully selected wine list, an array of craft beers, an impressive selection of classic cocktails, and some unique creations. One example is the Merry Levov, crafted from bourbon, vermouth, benedictine, cardamom, and yogurt soju.
13) Klein/Harris
14) Frenchie Wine Bar
14) Frenchie Wine Bar
🍁 Vibe: Simplistic Upscale Canadian
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 3/5
In Calgary's vibrant cocktail scene, Christina Mah stands out as a celebrated figure, and her talents shine at her independent establishment, Klein / Harris. The cocktail menu is thoughtfully organized into multiple sections, but I highly recommend starting w
🍁 Vibe: Simplistic Upscale Canadian
📍 Location: Downtown
💎 Fanciness Factor: 3/5
In Calgary's vibrant cocktail scene, Christina Mah stands out as a celebrated figure, and her talents shine at her independent establishment, Klein / Harris. The cocktail menu is thoughtfully organized into multiple sections, but I highly recommend starting with the "True North" category. This particular collection spotlights stunning concoctions made with locally sourced ingredients from renowned producers like Eau Claire Distillery, Alberta Premium, and even unexpected ingredients like Highwood Crossing oats – yes, they're included in some of the drinks.
14) Frenchie Wine Bar
14) Frenchie Wine Bar
14) Frenchie Wine Bar
🍷 Vibe: Small Classic Resto-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/viewable. 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 little spot in Marda Loop has been incredibly popular since the day it opened. Oddly, they don't have a menu, instead you inform the staff on what kind of wine variety you like and they'll choose one accordingly. Personally, this makes me a little nervous (
🥖 Vibe: Tiny, French, Rustic
📍 Location: Marda Loop
💎 Fanciness Factor: 2/5
This little spot in Marda Loop has been incredibly popular since the day it opened. Oddly, they don't have a menu, instead you inform the staff on what kind of wine variety you like and they'll choose one accordingly. Personally, this makes me a little nervous (how do I know they aren't picking the extra EXTRA expensive wine because of something I indicated?!) But when I had a few glasses there I believe each was about $15, so perhaps they keep it within a price range?