Calgary has some of the best curated cocktails around. Give one (or ten) of these cozy spots a try.
The best bar in town for the mixology enthusiast in your life. Carefully crafted cocktails, small plates and a menu that's always changing, so every visit is different. The whisky wall alone is worth a look.
Pro tip: Not sure what to order? The staff are expertly trained. Tell them what you like and let them choose. Happy hour is generous.
1302 1 St SW · Map for Proof
The only thing more impressive than Shelter's cocktails is its design: a gallery wall of gas masks, a light fixture of more than 5,000 hanging bulbs and plush velvet seats. Every drink pairs two ingredients that shouldn't work together, and somehow do.
Pro tip: The menu rotates seasonally, so pop by now and then to see what's new.
1210 1 St SW · Map for Shelter
A true prohibition-era bar, hidden entrance and all. Slip in for 1920s-inspired cocktails, decor and live music. Even the house rules feel antique: no shots, no phone calls and no standing room.
Pro tip: Open Wednesday to Sunday. Tell your bartender what you like and they'll build something just for you.
908 17 Ave SW · Map for Betty Lou's Library
A hidden cocktail bar underneath Comery Block. Find the steel door in the back alley off 6th Street and head down to a dark, moody room with loud music, playful cocktails and snacks good enough to stay for.
Must try: The Popcorn Chicken, the Cheese Bread, Yam Chips, an Espresso Martini.
Pro tip: Closed Mondays. Weekends fill up, so expect a short wait even with a reservation.
638 17 Ave SW, back-alley entrance · Map for Prickett Richard
A relaxed bar with one of the best drinks lists in the city: creative cocktails, a deep wine list and rare tequilas the team loves to talk about. Snacks are simple and good, from cheese and charcuterie to key lime pie.
Must try: The Layover, a Sazerac, the Orange Yuzu, a Dirty Gin Martini with the olives.
Pro tip: Open every day from 4, until 2 am on weekends.
348A 14 Ave SW · Map for Missy's This & That
A small, cozy French wine bar from the team behind Brioche. There's no menu: your server brings a chalkboard, asks what you like and pours accordingly. Settle in on the patio, where there are blankets and heaters when it's cold.
Must try: The House Cheese Board with truffle honey, Charcuterie, the Chocolate Fondant.
Pro tip: Opens at 3 most days, and at noon until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
1934 34 Ave SW · Map for Avitus Wine Bar
A dark, 20-seat rum den on 34th, in the old La Hacienda space. Rum-forward takes on the classics, rare small-batch bottles and bartenders who love explaining what they're pouring.
Must try: The Jungle Bird, the Charred Pineapple Daiquiri, the Fried Chicken Sandwich, Sticky Toffee Pudding.
Pro tip: Book through OpenTable, because they don't answer the phone. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
1928 34 Ave SW · Map for Quarters
A retro mid-century lounge with couches, shag carpet and a hidden entrance that's half the fun to find. Classic and original cocktails, tequila flights and comfort food with a twist.
Must try: The No Sleep 'Till Brooklyn, a Tequila Flight, the Truffle Fondue, Parmesan Fries.
Pro tip: Open Wednesday to Saturday from 5. It's quieter than most bars, so you can actually talk.
2252 33 Ave SW · Map for Side Hustle
Everything you'd expect from a nameless champagne bar: champagne, caviar and gold everywhere. Leather couches, a 1930s lounge feel and cocktails people call the best in the city.
Must try: The Beef Tartare.
Pro tip: Open Thursday to Saturday only. Pair it with dinner at The Derrick next door.
620 8 Ave SW · Map for Untitled Champagne Lounge
It doesn't take long to get lost in the moment here. A basement lounge with tropical drinks and Vietnamese snacks that will have you reminiscing about beach days.
Must try: A Mai Tai (the best in Calgary, hands down), Banh Xeo, Beef Carpaccio.
Pro tip: There's no sign. Look for the stairs below Ho Wan.
115 2 Ave SE, downstairs · Map for Paper Lantern
A tiny bar with about ten seats, a deep Japanese whisky list, a top-notch wine list and a record player on the bar. Owned by Annabelle's Kitchen, so the small plates are as good as the drinks. The most delectable identity crisis in town.
Must try: The Fried Olives, a Negroni.
109A 8 Ave SW · Map for Bar Annabelle
Ol' Beautiful lost its taproom to a fire, but its listening bar lives on. A basement room with real vinyl DJs, low light and easy drinks.
Pro tip: Look for the small door marked Sound Room, and check their site for themed nights.
1213 1 St SW, downstairs · Map for Sound Room
A French wine bar inside The District, and one of Avenue's 13 best restaurants for 2026. Come for a glass and stay for dinner.
Must try: The Soufflé, Duck Pie.
227 11 Ave SW · Map for Bar Chouette
Kensington's newest wine bar, in the old Winebar Kensington space. Same cozy feel, a varied and elevated wine list, and food that holds its own. A great spot to celebrate.
Must try: The Bourdain Sandwich.
Pro tip: Open from 4 pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
1131 Kensington Rd NW · Map for Tipsie
The old Molly Malone's, completely transformed and one of Kensington's most anticipated openings in years. A gorgeous, layered room, an exceptional cocktail menu and food good enough to make a night of it. Pali Room is its sister bar in the same building.
Must try: The bread, Duck Liver Mousse, Oysters, the Clam Pasta, and save room for dessert.
Pro tip: Open from 11 every day and until 2 on weekends, so it works for lunch, dinner or a late drink.
1153 Kensington Cres NW · Map for Stable Palms Club
A Hawaiian-chic cocktail lounge with mid-century furniture and a glass ceiling that lets the light pour in. It feels like a club in California or Hawaii, with creative tiki-leaning cocktails and pupus (Hawaiian small plates) to match.
Must try: Pogi Points, Spam Musubi, Pork Belly Skewers, Malasadas (Polynesian donuts) for dessert.
1153 Kensington Cres NW · Map for Pali Room
One of the best cocktail bars in the city, and almost always booked. A beautiful speakeasy room, a bartender who'll build you a custom drink, and food good enough to make a dinner date of it.
Must try: Milk Buns, Tartare, the Pesto Pasta.
Pro tip: Book ahead and ask for a table rather than the bar.
500 25 Ave SW · Map for Blue Rock Swim Club
Equal parts intimate and lively, with a classy room, a curated playlist and some of the best cocktails in the city. Snacks are indulgent, and the menu is backed up by sandwiches from Super Variety.
Must try: The Primavera, the Meat and Cheese Plate, Canned Mackerel with chips and aioli.
Pro tip: Open Wednesday to Saturday from 5. Watch for their food pop-ups.
1327B 9 Ave SE · Map for Business & Pleasure
The kind of neighbourhood bar that makes you want to move to Bridgeland. Friendly, unfussy, fairly priced, with a dog-friendly patio and a long drink list. It's also the city's go-to for a proper Dublin spice bag.
Must try: The Dublin Spice Bag, Crinkle Fries with curry sauce, an Old Fashioned.
Pro tip: The spice bag special runs Sundays after 4. Happy hour prices are great, too.
813 1 Ave NE · Map for Small Bar
A champagne and fondue bar in a little pink heritage house. Moody, romantic and made for anniversaries. Staff know their bubbles and will walk you through every glass, and there are plenty of gluten-free options.
Must try: A Champagne Flight, Fondue for Two (add the bison or the meatballs), Warm Olives, Chocolate Fondue.
Pro tip: It's tiny, so book ahead, though walk-ins can sometimes snag the bar. And check out the bathroom. Open Wednesday to Sunday.
627 1 Ave NE · Map for Moonlight & Eli
A fun, retro-feeling bar with inventive cocktails, funk on the turntables some nights, and a kitchen open late. It's on the same 1 St SW block as Ten Foot Henry, Pat and Betty and Sound Room, so it's an easy first or last stop.
Must try: A Frozen Margarita, the Caesar Salad, the Banh Mi.
Pro tip: Open daily from 2:30 pm until 2 am. Happy hour is a deal.
1207 1 St SW · Map for Mount Pleasant Vintage
Twelve floors up with a terrace and spectacular downtown views. Come for sunset cocktails; the room is worth the elevator ride.
Pro tip: Book the terrace in summer.
833 4 Ave SW, 12th floor · Map for Bow & Bend Rooftop
If Don Draper lived in Calgary, you'd find him in a dim corner of the Wednesday Room's basement bar. Wood panelling as far as the eye can see.
Must try: Any of the old fashioneds.
118 8 Ave SW · Map for Wednesday Room