Best Speakeasies in Calgary: Hidden Bars & Secret lounges
Looking for a hidden bar in Calgary? Here are the best speakeasy-style cocktail lounges
Looking for the best speakeasies in Calgary? 🤐 From password-only cocktail lounges to hidden bars behind secret doors, Calgary now has an impressive underground cocktail scene. 🍸
Whether you want a date-night spot, a hidden gem for visitors, or just somewhere that feels way cooler than a normal bar, these are Calgary’s best speakeasy-style lounges.
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 the number of speakeasies in Calgary is one thing 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:
❤️ Paper Lantern
❤️ Betty Lou's Library
❤️ Business & Pleasure
If you like hidden spots like these, you'll LOVE The Sunday Sneak Peek. Every Sunday I share Calgary's newest restaurants, secret bars, events, and local gossip before it blows up.
Page last updated May 2026
I used to dye my hair brown. We've all made mistakes in our past.
17 secret speakeasys in Calgary
1) Charlie's Watch Repair
1) Charlie's Watch Repair
1) Charlie's Watch Repair
⌚ Theme: Prohibition Era Watch Repair
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 5/5
Hidden inside Salt & Brick, this speakeasy requires a weekly code (released on Instagram) to get in — making it one of Calgary’s most “true” speakeasy experiences.
2) Prohibition Lounge
1) Charlie's Watch Repair
1) Charlie's Watch Repair
💃🏻 Theme: 1920's Prohibition Cabaret
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 2/5
Venture off 17th Ave and into Prohibition Lounge, where the rebellious spirit of the 1920s Prohibition Era is reborn. The live jazz, vintage decor, and glamourous atmosphere will transport you back to the roaring 20s. All this within this sneaky speakeasy.
3) Business & Pleasure
1) Charlie's Watch Repair
3) Business & Pleasure
💼 Theme: Relaxed After Work Club
📍 Location: Inglewood
🔒 Hidden Factor: 3/5
Hiding in the neighborhood of Inglewood within Super Variety, this unassuming yet chic cocktail bar features an alleyway entrance, delectable snacks, and truly outstanding beverages.
4) Quarters
5) Prickett Richard
3) Business & Pleasure
🍸 Theme: Neighbourhood Island Escape
📍 Location: Marda Loop
🔒 Hidden Factor: 3/5
Formerly in the spot of La Hacienda, Quarters is this tiny 20-seat cocktail den with major hidden gem energy. Rum is the star here, so expect everything from jungle birds to mojitos, plus some fun small-batch pours if you’re feeling fancy.
5) Prickett Richard
5) Prickett Richard
5) Prickett Richard
🥃 Theme: Underground Bar
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 3/5
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, loud, and usually jam packed so make a reso!
6) Ajito
5) Prickett Richard
5) Prickett Richard
🍶 Theme: Japanese Izakaya
📍 Location: Macleod Trail
🔒 Hidden Factor: 4/5
"Izakaya" means "casual after work bar" which matches the vibes. 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 is decent, but I think we paid a premium because
🍶 Theme: Japanese Izakaya
📍 Location: Macleod Trail
🔒 Hidden Factor: 4/5
"Izakaya" means "casual after work bar" which matches the vibes. 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 is decent, but I think we paid a premium because we're eating in the cool part of the restaurant (Ajito is within the sushi restaurant Sho).
7) Paper Lantern
8) Betty Lou's Library
8) Betty Lou's Library
🏮 Theme: Tropical Vietnamese
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 4/5
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 too late one Saturday, definitely keeping them past when the
🏮 Theme: Tropical Vietnamese
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 4/5
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 too 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! ;)
8) Betty Lou's Library
8) Betty Lou's Library
8) Betty Lou's Library
📚 Theme: Illegal Spicy Library
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 5/5
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
📚 Theme: Illegal Spicy Library
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 5/5
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). Check them out Thursdays or Sundays for live Jazz or Wednesdays when they host burlesque!
9) Shelter
8) Betty Lou's Library
10) After 8
💣 Theme: War time Bomb Shelter
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 3/5
I would describe Shelter's decor as "mildly deranged" and I mean that in the best way possible. The décor includes gas masks and sandbags, making it odd, but at the same time whimsical and different. Note the venue is TINY and the couch seating means you need to be
💣 Theme: War time Bomb Shelter
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 3/5
I would describe Shelter's decor as "mildly deranged" and I mean that in the best way possible. The décor includes gas masks and sandbags, making it odd, but at the same time whimsical and different. 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?!
10) After 8
12) Heavily Redacted
10) After 8
🥃 Theme: Exclusive Luxury Hotel
📍 Location: East Village
🔒 Hidden Factor: 5/5
This tiny, intimate parlour-style speakeasy seats just eight guests at a time, making reservations highly coveted. Prices are high here but the drinks are delicately mixed with care and feature high quality and handmade ingredients.
Note — photos and videos are strictly prohibited.
11) Bourbon Room
12) Heavily Redacted
12) Heavily Redacted
🥃 Theme: Elite Bourbon & Soul
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 2/5
Located in the upstairs of National on 10th, the Bourbon Room is tucked away from the main party area. The Bourbon Review voted the it as one of the "10 Best International Bourbon Bars in the World’." Not much of a hidden factor as it's possible to stumble into, but
🥃 Theme: Elite Bourbon & Soul
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 2/5
Located in the upstairs of National on 10th, the Bourbon Room is tucked away from the main party area. The Bourbon Review voted the it as one of the "10 Best International Bourbon Bars in the World’." Not much of a hidden factor as it's possible to stumble into, but for speakeasy vibes and bourbon selection, this is the place to be.
12) Heavily Redacted
12) Heavily Redacted
12) Heavily Redacted
️👠Theme: Hidden Print
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 5/5
This is Fine Print's underground speakeasy offering rare spirits, bespoke cocktails and the luxury of privacy with a no-photo policy. It's mostly invitation only but sometimes you can snag a spot through reservations. Cross your fingers though, because it's reso spots are limited and exclusive!
13) L'Après
14) Sound Room
14) Sound Room
🍸 Theme: Exclusive After Party
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 3/5
This new speakeasy downtown has only just opened, so much about it is still mysterious. But, think of it like an elegant after-party that all the cool people are invited to. Currently, they have a small hors d'oeuvres selection and 5 cocktails on their menu during the soft launch.
14) Sound Room
14) Sound Room
14) Sound Room
📻 Theme: Vintage Vinyl Listening Bar
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 2/5
A not-so-secret spot, but easy to miss, is the Sound Room. The underground basement bar has the grooviest vibes, working as a vinyl listening room and hangout spot to enjoy Ol' Beautiful's beers on tap and expertly crafted cocktails. Check out their speciall
📻 Theme: Vintage Vinyl Listening Bar
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 2/5
A not-so-secret spot, but easy to miss, is the Sound Room. The underground basement bar has the grooviest vibes, working as a vinyl listening room and hangout spot to enjoy Ol' Beautiful's beers on tap and expertly crafted cocktails. Check out their specially curated record nights where they play everything from old hip hop to disco!
15) Alibi
14) Sound Room
16) Model Citizen
🥂 Theme: Lowkey Lounge
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 3/5
This new secret cocktail bar is hidden away in the back of Barcelona Tavern. It's lowkey but still elevated with impressive cocktails and tasty bites. It's an ideal spot to slip away from the busyness of Stephen Ave for a casual after-work drink or a cheeky date night!
16) Model Citizen
16) Model Citizen
16) Model Citizen
🥛 Theme: Historic Dairy Building
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 3/5
Model Citizen, a 50-seat speakeasy on top of Model Milk on 17th Ave, offers an intimate cocktail experience. Not to mention it's monthly rotating cocktail menu and weekly features bar snacks from Model Milk's kitchen.
NOTE: Model Citizen is currently only open as a private event space.
17) Graybar
16) Model Citizen
17) Graybar
🙏 Theme: Donation-based
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 5/5
Graybar is a clandestine speakeasy that doesn't charge for drinks. Instead, it invites friends and family to donate in support of their chosen charity, Inn From The Cold.
NOTE: Not currently open to the public.