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Calgary Speakeasies and Cocktail Lounges

I'll let you in on a secret

Shhhhhh....did you know Calgary is home to so many hidden speakeasy style cocktail lounges?!  Yes! Right here in Calgary.  Visiting this type of trendy and unusual establishment was previously only available when on a trip to a large metropolitan city (think New York and Chicago).  But times have changed and Calgary is upping its cool factor.  I feel like this is something we can point to and say "we've arrived."  I love it.  Seriously though, these small and elite venues are the best places to take out and impress out of town visitors. 


My current faves from this list are: 


- La Hacidenda

- Paper Lantern

- Betty Lou's Library

boudoir rouge calgary lounge

I used to dye my hair brown.  We've all made mistakes in our past.

Calgary's secret Lounges

one down speakeasy calgary marriott

One Down

Prickett Richard

La Hacienda

You won't stumble upon this elusive speakeasy because it can't be seen from the street. They don't have a website, IG or place to make reso's. What CAN I tell you? It's by the Marriott and One18 Empire and they will open again, but you'll have to watch their social media to find out when and how to get in.  I'll be watching too and will share if I see anything! Opened February 2023

La Hacienda

Prickett Richard

La Hacienda

A new speakeasy in town! This one seems legit with a password required and everything.  (They text the night's password to you when you make a reso). I checked it out and was very impressed! They are known for their charcuterie.  Oh and it's also a tequila bar! Opened December 2022

Prickett Richard

Prickett Richard

Prickett Richard

Hidden right in plain sight (on 17th ave) Prickett Richard has solid speakeasy vibes. (You'll find it underneath Comery Block shhhh you didn't hear it from me) The vibes in the basement are awesome. Warning the place is small and usually jam packed so make a reso! Opened November 2022

milk tiger calgary speakeasy bar cocktails

Milk Tiger

Please Don't Tell

Prickett Richard

I was hesitant to put Milk Tiger on this list because while it used to be a speakeasy, it isn't really anymore... It's very easy to see from a prominent corner on 4th street in Mission.  It does however, have a top-notch cocktail menu, probably better than some others on this list and the new place looks great and still has some speakeasy vibes to it. Reopened December 2021.

speakeasy calgary please don't tell PDT hidden

Please Don't Tell

Please Don't Tell

Please Don't Tell

I haven't been to Please Don't Tell or "PDT" as the cool kids call it.  It appears to be more of a nightclub then a speakeasy as they are only open after 9:30pm on Friday and Saturday nights.

the tea house calgary speakeasy hidden bar

The Tea House

Please Don't Tell

Please Don't Tell

You may have visited Two Penny a few years ago, now the same space has become Tea House.  Tea House serves up cocktails and asian-inspired bites.  It's a really cool atmosphere, although they got rid of the best part which was the distinctive tiger wallpaper. :( The new look is okay I guess... I do like their bathrooms a lot. The night to

You may have visited Two Penny a few years ago, now the same space has become Tea House.  Tea House serves up cocktails and asian-inspired bites.  It's a really cool atmosphere, although they got rid of the best part which was the distinctive tiger wallpaper. :( The new look is okay I guess... I do like their bathrooms a lot. The night to go to Tea House is Thursday because they hold intimate comedy shows that kill every time.

ajito calgary speakeasy sushi sho

Ajito

Betty Lou's Library

Paper Lantern

I've only been once and I thought it was pretttty cool. We had to wait a bit because it's small and popular. It's probably easy to go on a weekday though. The drinks are fun with good presentation. The sushi was good, but I think we paid a premium because we're eating in the cool part of the restaurant. (Ajito is a speakeasy within a sush

I've only been once and I thought it was pretttty cool. We had to wait a bit because it's small and popular. It's probably easy to go on a weekday though. The drinks are fun with good presentation. The sushi was good, but I think we paid a premium because we're eating in the cool part of the restaurant. (Ajito is a speakeasy within a sushi restaurant called Sho).  I'd probably say fill up on Sushi at Sho and then finish the night with cocktails and dessert at Ajito. Opened in 2020.

paper lantern calgary speakeasy bar chinatown

Paper Lantern

Betty Lou's Library

Paper Lantern

I like Paper Lantern a lot. I've been twice and both times the staff (also the owners) have been SO freaking nice. Even when they're busy they really care to make sure you're enjoying yourself. We stayed way late one Saturday, definitely keeping them past when they were to close and they were so chill about it and even sat and chatted wit

I like Paper Lantern a lot. I've been twice and both times the staff (also the owners) have been SO freaking nice. Even when they're busy they really care to make sure you're enjoying yourself. We stayed way late one Saturday, definitely keeping them past when they were to close and they were so chill about it and even sat and chatted with us. The drinks are tropical and come in fun glasses. And the bathrooms have silly exotic wallpaper (like monkeys!). This place is great. Good luck finding it! ;)

inside betty lou's library lounge calgary

Betty Lou's Library

Betty Lou's Library

Betty Lou's Library

Of all Calgary's speakeasy lounges, Betty Lou's is the most true to prohibition era history.  Betty Lou's is legitimately hidden (no signage, no clues) and to enter you require a password.  Don't worry, you don't have to join the mafia to get the code, they email it to you when you make a reservation.  (I'd personally still like to see yo

Of all Calgary's speakeasy lounges, Betty Lou's is the most true to prohibition era history.  Betty Lou's is legitimately hidden (no signage, no clues) and to enter you require a password.  Don't worry, you don't have to join the mafia to get the code, they email it to you when you make a reservation.  (I'd personally still like to see you try to join the Mafia though.)  Betty Lou's Library is small, dark, intimate and has a luxurious 1920's decor.  Check them out Tuesdays or Thursdays for live Jazz or Wednesdays when they host burlesque! Opened late 2016.

Shelter

Untitled Champagne Lounge

Betty Lou's Library

I would describe Shelter's decor as "mildly deranged" and I mean that in the best way possible.  Where this bomb shelter theme came from, will forever keep me up at night (just kidding, I sleep like a baby).  But seriously, the decor includes gas masks and sandbags, making it odd, but at the same time classy and old school.  Note the venu

I would describe Shelter's decor as "mildly deranged" and I mean that in the best way possible.  Where this bomb shelter theme came from, will forever keep me up at night (just kidding, I sleep like a baby).  But seriously, the decor includes gas masks and sandbags, making it odd, but at the same time classy and old school.  Note the venue is TINY and the couch seating means you need to be prepared to get cozy with your neighbor.  Hopefully they're attractive?! Opened mid 2017.

inside untitled champage lounge calgary

Untitled Champagne Lounge

Untitled Champagne Lounge

Untitled Champagne Lounge

This champagne lounge is elegant and pretentious, in a good way,  Hey we need some of that in Cowtown.  For real though.  If you like quiet party vibes. low intimate seating, chandeliers, and lots of opulent gold decor you'll want to visit for some bubbly.  I'm trying to remember what it's like late at night but I'm thinking there's gotta

This champagne lounge is elegant and pretentious, in a good way,  Hey we need some of that in Cowtown.  For real though.  If you like quiet party vibes. low intimate seating, chandeliers, and lots of opulent gold decor you'll want to visit for some bubbly.  I'm trying to remember what it's like late at night but I'm thinking there's gotta be a DJ.  I am also unsure on dance floor situation. clearly I need to revisit. Opened early 2017.

cannibale calgary speakeasy bar bridgeland

Cannibale

Untitled Champagne Lounge

Untitled Champagne Lounge

Imma be honest with you. I've been to Cannibale a handful of times, but I've also been several drinks deep so my memories are fuzzy at best.  The coolest part is that compared to other speakeasy-type bars on this list, this one is definitely more committed to the act.  Cannibale is behind a fully functioning barber shop.  Opened in 2015.

sub rosa calgary lounge wallpaper

Sub Rosa

Frenchie Wine bar

Frenchie Wine bar

Sub Rosa probably has my favorite decor of all the speakeasy's.  Although that is a tough call to make...it's like picking from my prohibition era children.  It is important to note that Sub Rosa becomes a club on Saturday nights.  So if you are looking for a speakeasy feel, that is NOT the time to go.  I think their Friday crowd is still

Sub Rosa probably has my favorite decor of all the speakeasy's.  Although that is a tough call to make...it's like picking from my prohibition era children.  It is important to note that Sub Rosa becomes a club on Saturday nights.  So if you are looking for a speakeasy feel, that is NOT the time to go.  I think their Friday crowd is still pretty tame for those looking for good drinks and conversation. But if you want that club feel, Saturday is your night, you go girl! Opened late 2016.

inside frenchie wine bar lounge calgary

Frenchie Wine bar

Frenchie Wine bar

Frenchie Wine bar

Extra tiny and cute, Frenchie Wine bar is hidden behind Una on 17th (oops that was a spoiler, I think you knew that though).  I believe it only seats about 12 people.  So pick your 10 closest friends and that 1 coworker you hang out with sometimes and head on down.  They serve appies, fondue, and dessert. The decor is not so much 1920's a

Extra tiny and cute, Frenchie Wine bar is hidden behind Una on 17th (oops that was a spoiler, I think you knew that though).  I believe it only seats about 12 people.  So pick your 10 closest friends and that 1 coworker you hang out with sometimes and head on down.  They serve appies, fondue, and dessert. The decor is not so much 1920's as it is rich and old school, kinda like being in a secret society library.  Opened mid 2016.

inside the bourbon room calgary national 10th

The Bourbon Room

Frenchie Wine bar

The Bourbon Room

The Bourbon Room, with its higher ceilings and larger space makes it one of the bigger speakeasys in town.  Spoiler alert - its upstairs in National on 10th (again, you knew that). This creates a different atmosphere because you'll find people go from National up to the Bourbon room and vice versa.  So it tends to be a more lively crowd c

The Bourbon Room, with its higher ceilings and larger space makes it one of the bigger speakeasys in town.  Spoiler alert - its upstairs in National on 10th (again, you knew that). This creates a different atmosphere because you'll find people go from National up to the Bourbon room and vice versa.  So it tends to be a more lively crowd compared to some of the quieter speakeasys.  They used to have a backdoor from the alley that served as a secret entry, not sure if that exists anymore... Opened early 2014. 

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