Calgary Speakeasy 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 the number of speakeasy's 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:
- La Hacienda
- Paper Lantern
- Betty Lou's Library
I used to dye my hair brown. We've all made mistakes in our past.
14 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
Tucked away within the stylish confines of Salt & Brick, you'll discover Calgary's freshest Speakeasy experience. Here's the scoop: every Tuesday, their elusive entry code mysteriously materializes in their Instagram stories!
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: Exclusive 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) La Hacienda
5) Prickett Richard
3) Business & Pleasure
🍸 Theme: Vintage tequila speakeasy
📍 Location: Marda Loop
🔒 Hidden Factor: 5/5
This tiny tequila speakeasy requires a password to enter. (They text the night's password to you when you make a reso). I've been a few times and each time was very impressed with the quality of drinks. No reso?! They also accept walk-ins but note the place is small so you may not get in during peak times.
5) Prickett Richard
5) Prickett Richard
5) Prickett Richard
🥃 Theme: Classic speakeasy
📍 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. I've only been here 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
🍶 Theme: Japanese Izakaya
📍 Location: Macleod Trail
🔒 Hidden Factor: 4/5
"Izakaya" means "casual after work bar" which matches the vibes. I've only been here 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 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 late one Saturday, definitely keeping them past when they we
🏮 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 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 Tuesdays or Thursdays 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
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10) After 8
🥃 Theme: Classy & Luxurious
📍 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
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🥃 Theme: Soul & Bourbon
📍 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 spe
🥃 Theme: Soul & Bourbon
📍 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.
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12) Heavily Redacted
12) Heavily Redacted
️👠Theme: Historic & Fabulous
📍 Location: Downtown
🔒 Hidden Factor: 5/5
This is Fine Print's invite-only speakeasy offering rare spirits, bespoke cocktails and the luxury of privacy with a no-photo policy. Trying to get a peek yourself? Good luck. This one is hard to get in, (That's why I haven't been yet!) If you get the opportunity let me know how it is!
13) Model Citizen
13) Model Citizen
13) 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 Avenue, offers an intimate cocktail experience.
NOTE: Model Citizen is currently only open as a private event space.
14) Graybar
13) Model Citizen
13) Model Citizen
🙏 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.