Looking to shake things up? Maybe cocktails are just what you need to elevate your drinking experience!
Today, we’re pointing you in the direction of the best cocktail bars in the city – while hoping we don’t wobble too much on our way. After all, in the name of research and the delight of our readers, we may have sampled more drinks than we can count!
Table of Contents
1. Proof
Website: https://proofyyc.com
Address: 1302 1 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0V7, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-246-2414
Operating hours:
- Monday & Sunday – 4 PM to 12 AM
- Tuesday to Saturday – 4 PM to 1 AM
Proof is an exciting hangout spot that will make you want to call up your friends and plan a thrilling Friday night filled with cocktails and conversations.
They offer plenty of interesting concoctions, but our favorite one to recommend is the Tita Nol. It’s crafted with Fords Gin, fino sherry, IPA, strawberry, lemon, and peychaud. But be forewarned: their drinks pack a punch even though they don’t taste like it!
By the way, if you want to catch the great deals during Happy Hour, be there any day from 4 PM to 7 PM.
2. Betty Lou’s Library
Website: https://www.bettylouslibrary.com
Address: The Devenish Building, 908 17 Avenue Southwest, Calgary, AB T2T 0A3, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-454-4774
Operating hours:
- Monday – closed
- Tuesday & Wednesday – 5 PM to 11 PM
- Thursday – 5 PM to 11:30 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 5 PM to 1 AM
Are you looking for a stylish and extravagant night that will transport you back in time? Betty Lou’s Library might just be what you’re in the mood for.
Featuring an extravagant speakeasy vibe in a low light setting for an intimate night, this enticing cocktail bar requires a password before you enter. Don’t worry, though because it’s not something they share with a chosen few.
You should be able to receive the magic word when you confirm your reservation.
3. Bridgette Bar
Website: https://www.bridgettebar.com
Address: 739 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0B3, Canada
Contact details: +1 587-319-6827
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
- Thursday & Friday – 11:30 AM to 1 AM
- Saturday – 2 PM to 1 AM
- Sunday – 2 PM to 11 PM
If an extremely stylish cocktail bar intimidates you, you might like the simplicity and relaxed vibe Bridgette Bar offers.
In fact, during the day, there’s no tell that this is a cocktail bar. It’s just like an ordinary brunch place until you divert your attention to the shelf filled with alcoholic beverages. With that in mind, this place gives you an excuse to go day-drinking.
Anyway, they have plenty of interesting cocktail flavors – though the one that captured our hearts was the one called To the moon. It’s made with a mix of pisco, passionfruit, lemon, honey, rose, and orange bitters.
4. Paper Lantern
Website: https://paperlantern.ca
Address: 115 2 Ave SE Basement, Calgary, AB T2G 0B2, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-457-7765
Operating hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, & Sunday – closed
- Wednesday to Thursday – 4 PM to 11 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 4 PM to 1 AM
Paper Lantern is a Vietnamese cocktail bar that can be found in Calgary’s Chinatown. They have an extensive cocktail menu, but their Morning in Hanoi is the standout choice. It mixes coffee and vodka along with condensed milk, coconut, banana, and pineapple.
You might feel tempted to order a few of these and before you know it, you’ll be crawling out of the bar at closing time!
5. Shelter Cocktail Bar
Website: https://shelteryyc.com
Address: 1210 1 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0V4, Canada
Contact details: 1 403-233-7730
Operating hours:
- Monday – closed
- Tuesday to Thursday – 5 PM to 12 AM
- Friday & Saturday – 5 PM to 2 AM
- Sunday – 7 PM to 12 AM
Take a much-needed respite from the world and head over to Shelter Cocktail Bar, which offers a relaxing vibe to ease your worries.
They have a wide assortment of cocktail drinks on their menu, most of which are served with an interesting and flamboyant show beforehand. You can choose from different categories like refreshing & approachable, which are basically flavors cocktail beginners would enjoy.
They also have several cocktail bottles that are enough for four to five servings. Do note, however, that this must be ordered to go.
6. The Wednesday Room
Website: https://wednesdayroom.com
Address: 118 8 Ave SW #100, Calgary, AB T2P 1B3, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-452-5080
Operating hours:
- Monday & Sunday – closed
- Tuesday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 11 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 1 PM
- Saturday – 5 PM to 1 AM
The Wednesday Room is a sophisticated establishment, effortlessly calling out to those with a heart yearning for something different. Their 1960s-inspired cocktail lounge is sure to satisfy anyone’s craving for a taste of the swinging sixties.
Most of their cocktails are inspired by iconic movies like Barbie, for example. The Every night is girl’s night is made with cherry gin, aperol, grapefruit, lime, cranberry bitters, and prosecco.
They also have a Lalaland inspired drink for any lost dreamers rightfully called Here’s to the ones who dream, a gin-based concoction with interesting hints of floral, fruit, and citrus.
7. Untitled Champagne Lounge
Website: https://untitledyyc.com
Address: 620 8 Ave SW #104, Calgary, AB T2P 1G6, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-475-7226
Operating hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Sunday – closed
- Thursday to Saturday – 5 PM to late
While the name might sound generic, the Untitled Champagne Lounge experience is anything but common. They value sophistication and glamor and you can see it the moment you enter.
The cocktails here are fun too, making it even more exciting to get a sip of each drink. You’ve got to try their Island fairy though, an exciting drink with absinthe base that just might summon the green fairy for you.
If you’re looking for a hangout spot that’s open until late, this might just be your new go-to.
8. The Derrick Gin Mill & Kitchen
Website: https://thederrickyyc.com
Address: 620 8 Ave SW #102, Calgary, AB T2P 1G6, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-475-7226
Operating hours:
- Monday – 11 AM to 3 PM
- Tuesday & Wednesday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Thursday & Friday – 11 AM to 11 PM
- Saturday – 5 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday – closed
Having won several awards including Diners’ Choice on Open Table 2023, The Derrick Gin Mill & Kitchen is a top destination for local foodies. But did you know that they also have a lot of great cocktails?
The one that takes the limelight is the one named I need my rest – and not just because it echoes our sentiments. It comprises delicious citrusy flavors with tequila and vodka as base. Moreover, the red pepper is also an interesting addition.
9. Major Tom Bar
Website: https://www.majortombar.ca
Address: 700 2 St SW #4000, Calgary, AB T2P 2W3, Canada
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11 AM to 11 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 3 PM to 11 PM
Major Tom Bar is a stylish rooftop bar that serves up great drinks as well as views of the Calgary skyline.
They have plenty of cocktail choices for those brave enough to expose their taste buds to plenty of new and interesting flavors. We recommend trying out their original mixtures to get the best Major Tom experience.
The sweetberry wine cocktail definitely caught our interest first with its bourbon and haskap berry mix. However, we think we’ll be ordering the butterfly’s elbows again and again because of its refreshing, citrus flavors.
10. One Night Stan’s Bar Room & Delivery
Website: https://www.onenightstans.ca
Address: 520 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0B1, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-452-4407
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday, & Sunday – 2 PM to 2 AM
- Saturday – 1 PM to 2 AM
One Night Stan is a vibrant bar in the city, offering a chance to de-stress from the everyday worry of city life. Here, you can be completely yourself, just like how you are in your own living room – sweats and oversized tee with a small hole on it included!
We figure it’s the relaxed atmosphere that makes this place friendly and not even a bit intimidating. You won’t be able to end your night without talking to a few friendly folks while you’re here, that’s for sure.
11. Lulu Bar
Website: https://www.lulubar.ca
Address: 510 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0B1, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-930-5707
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday, & Sunday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
- Friday & Saturday – 11:30 AM to 1 Am
Lulu Bar is an exciting spot for some well-deserved drinking with the gang. Their welcoming atmosphere harnesses a delightful dining experience perfect for unwinding.
Their creatively concocted cocktails are definitely what customers look forward to their visit. We’ve heard plenty of raving reviews from our staff about their pink lemonade coconut cocktail.
Take a sip and you’ll be transported to an exciting tropical beach – a true feast for the senses.
