Calgary’s nightlife is vibrant and upbeat, catering to everyone. From stylish settings to thumping beats, this dynamic city bursts into life as the sun starts to set. The best bars and restaurants in Calgary have plenty to offer, from carefully curated international wine lists to imaginative cocktails and local craft beers. Whether you’re planning a romantic date night, an evening on the town with the gang, or you’re just looking for somewhere to unwind after a hard day at work, there’s a bar in Calgary for you.
Head to Downtown for matinee happy hour at one of the best bars in Calgary for great drinks and snacks at a fraction of the price. In Banff, you can find a distillery, restaurant and bar in one, in the middle of a National Park, with a real back-to-nature vibe and free distillery tours. Or find one of the best sports bars in Calgary in Lethbridge, with a great food menu and a signature rum bar.
Book your seat at one of the best bars in Calgary on OpenTable today and start planning your next big night out.
The best bars in Calgary to make sure your night is a great one
For a chef-driven bar – head to Bridgette Bar in Downtown Calgary and Canmore
Bridgette Bar boast two prime locations – one in Downtown Calgary and a sister venue in Canmore Alberta. In Downtown, relax in mid-century modern settings – whether you fancy a bite for lunch, afternoon refreshments during the matinee happy hour, or a late-night party. Chef JP Pedhirney has developed an ambitiously unique menu. Be aware that during happy hours only the snack menu is available, but since this includes pizzas, oysters, French fries, and various salads, you’ll hardly miss out. For lunch, maybe try the wood-roasted half duck with black garlic emulsion or the shrimp and calamari pasta with pine nuts and capers. It’s worth coming just for the drinks, which are well worth sampling – the extensive wine list has been carefully selected for the best grapes from around the world. Or try a signature cocktail such as the Paradise City with tequila, Cointreau and pineapple rum with toasted coconut.
📍 Downtown Calgary — Check availability
📍 Canmore — Check availability
For one of the best bars in Calgary for craft beers – visit Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant in Banff
One of the top 100 restaurants in Canada here on OpenTable and one of Calgary’s best bars for craft beers is Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant. Like Russian dolls, this is a craft brewery, in a restaurant, in a forest, in a National Park, bringing the essence of nature to the table and all around. Take a seat in the beer garden or stargaze through the retractable roof, while enjoying the most local of all local brews and a chef-inspired menu. If you are thinking of visiting with your dog, you will be happy to know that the patio is dog-friendly. The ever-changing beer menu means there will always be something new to try whenever you visit and the beer flights featuring six 5oz pours are the perfect way to sample as many great flavours as possible. And from 3 pm until 5 pm every day you can enjoy happy hour with $6.75 pints. Happy hour includes as well food and cocktails. On the side, try one of the hand-stretched pizzas, a crab and shrimp doughnut or an 18oz Alberta boss beef ribeye.
For one of the best cocktail bars Calgary boasts – take a trip to Prickett Richard in Beltline
Prickett Richard is a real hidden gem in the heart of Calgary. Tucked away in the basement of Comery Block Barbecue, take the steel doorway from the alley and descend the stairs past the kitchen, then head right to the bottom to discover this secret cocktail bar behind the wooden door. Cosy and affectionate with exposed brick walls and low lighting, it’s the ideal spot for an intimate night out. The house cocktails are many and varied – samples include the Mr. pitiful with Dolin bitter, Campari, yellow chartreuse and lemon, and the midnight lime with pisco, Giffard lychee liqueur, plum and thyme cordial and fresh lemon. You can also grab a bite to go with your cocktails – from fresh oysters to classic cheese toast, beef tartare with egg yolk to smoked Castelvetrano olives with orange and thyme.
For one of the best wine bars in Calgary – check out Frenchie Wine Bar in Beltline
Intimate, warm and cosy, Frenchie Wine Bar is a small 38-seater wine bar specialising in great drinks and committed to a farm-to-table philosophy – an ideal retreat from the hustle and bustle of Calgary. Small plates, cheeseboards and fondue accompany your drink selection with great deals every night of the week. Mondays and Tuesdays are happy hour all day, where you can get a grilled cheese and a champagne for just $20 – also available from 5 pm until 6 pm on other days. Mid-week, celebrate wine Wednesdays with half-price bottles of wine, or pop in on Thursdays for flight night, where you can sample several wine tasters at once. Or come anytime for a cocktail or a glass of grape – try the pass the dutchie with Bol’s Genever, green chartreuse, Midori melon and sorrel honey.
For wonderful whiskey and brilliant barbecue – head on over to Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey in Kensington
Whether you’re looking for your new favourite drink or some of the best barbecue in town, head on over to Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey and you’ll find what you’re looking for. With meat smoked for up to 14 hours and a vast array of whiskies, local and international beers, and an ever-evolving cocktail list, you’ll have everything you need. Take a seat in the restaurant and bar or, if the weather proves permissible, on the outdoor patio and relax and enjoy. From the grill and smoker, take your pick from the famous Hayden brisket, pulled pork, spare ribs or turkey breast, or even half a chicken. Add your trays and sides – salads, pickles, slaw and more – and maybe some pecan pie for dessert. The whiskey list would take you years to get through, but for starters, maybe an American Old Forester or a Scottish Laphroaig.
For one of the best bars in Calgary for live music – get your dancing shoes at Alvin’s Jazz Club in central Calgary
Designed as a homage to the New York club scene of the 1930s and 1940s, Alvin’s Jazz Club is the quintessential jazz bar in Calgary. Get into the groove with live entertainment every night, alongside fabulous food and delectable drinks. The rotating cocktail list draws on seasonal ingredients, with an expertly curated list of wines and spirits to complement the food. Come along for happy hour, which runs Tuesdays to Thursdays from 5 pm until 6 pm and Fridays to Sundays from 4 pm until 6 pm, for great deals on drinks. On Sundays you’ll want to get there early – jazzy brunch starts at 10 am and runs until 2 pm. And on the weekends, there’s an extra late-night happy hour. Foodwise, think seafood gnocchi with marsala cream sauce, heirloom tomato salad with homemade ricotta, and beef and bone marrow tartare with spicy plum sauce.
For one of the best rooftop bars in Calgary – book a seat at Connie & John’s Rooftop in Downtown
Renowned by locals as the best rooftop patio destination and one of the best bars in Calgary, Connie & John’s Rooftop brings a little something extra to the table. The brand was already well-known for producing some of the best pizzas in town for takeout. Now you can grab that same exquisite pizza while relaxing and enjoying panoramic views over Bow River from the top of the historic Simmons Limited building. The famous pizzas come in a range of styles – maybe try a New York Fun Guy with three cheeses, truffle oil and mushrooms, or a Detroit Connie’s Loaded with ham, pepperoni, mozzarella and mushrooms. Or for something lighter, head to the raw bar for some oyster, scallops or tuna ceviche, all freshly caught and expertly prepared. If you add a Connie’s lager or a John’s pale ale, part of the proceeds go directly to support the CHAR Hospitality Fund.
For a “go wild” experience in the heart of nature – pay a visit to PARK Distillery Restaurant and Bar in Banff
Get back to nature at PARK Distillery Restaurant and Bar, Canada’s only distillery located within the grounds of a National Park and one of Calgary’s best gastropubs. Think campfire-inspired cuisine alongside in-house distilled small-batch spirits for that real homemade, back-to-nature vibe. Free distillery tours run daily, so book early to take a tour and learn about how the spirits you’ll be drinking are hand-mashed, hand-milled and hand-distilled for a unique flavour. The wood-fired rotisserie chicken is a specialty – try the sharing platter with a quarter chicken, half rack of ribs and char grilled smokie with a variety of sides and sauces. The bison burger with double-smoked bacon and blueberry aioli is also a must-try. PARK spirits distilled in-house include barrel-aged gin rested for six months, maple rye with Quebec maple and flora and fauna gin with jasmine and lemon balm. Come at happy hour or book the taste for adventure on the weekends for great deals on food and drinks.
For the newest Japanese-inspired bar in Calgary – book a table at Lonely Mouth Bar in Calgary
One of the newest kids on the Calgary block, Lonely Mouth Bar brings you an eclectic variety of Japanese-inspired contemporary food and drink. Food is served izakaya style, from the signature pulled udon noodles to dishes such as pork dumplings with Japanese mustard, miso cod with brown butter ponzu cream and snow crab hand rolls with avocado and toasted sesame. While the food is worth visiting for, you can also pop in just for a drink or several. From 2 pm until 5 pm every day of the week, enjoy half-price beverages and a selection of snacks from just $4. Sundays through Thursdays, late-night deals include $10 cocktails from 9 pm until closing time. The highlight of the week is sake Sunday, where all bottles of sake are available at half price.
For one of the best sports bars in Calgary – take the gang to Firestone Restaurant and Bar in Lethbridge
Firestone Restaurant and Bar operates on two distinct levels – on the one hand, it’s one of the best sports bars in Calgary. On the other hand, it is also a casual yet polished restaurant specialising in flame-cooked, stone-baked and rotisserie dishes. Whether you’re heading out to catch the game or looking for a great spot for lunch with the family, Firestone can accommodate your wishes. The bar is referred to as a signature rum bar, meaning you can sample some of the finest premium rums straight, on the rocks, or as part of a creative cocktail. All breads and pizza doughs are made fresh daily on the premises – try the forno oven pizza with chorizo, prosciutto, mushrooms and green peppers. For something a little different, the crispy pineapple shrimp and chicken bowl with sticky rice. Or for weekend brunch, an Italian scrambled Benedict with cheese, basil and prosciutto.
For New York-style dining and drinking – book a table at Borough Bar & Grill in central Calgary
Inspired by New York’s five boroughs and the unique culinary traditions of North America, Borough Bar & Grill is an expressive venue for casual dining. The main dining area features floating ceilings and elegant decor, and there’s also a walk-in patisserie if you just fancy a coffee or a sandwich while enjoying the parks and trails of the local area. Hit up the south-facing patio, where the retractable awning lets you soak up the sunshine in summer, and the open fireplaces mean a cosy nook in winter. Diners can also take advantage of wine Wednesdays, where every bottle of wine on the menu originally priced at under $100 is half price. The menu from chef Daniel Pizarro is as diverse as New York – think Alberta beef tataki to start, followed by pork belly and scallops with sweetcorn succotash or a whole rotisserie chicken with a sweet shallot crust.
A night out in Calgary means being completely spoilt for choice when it comes to venues. Calgary’s best bars all have something unique to offer – hopefully, these suggestions will help you plan your next night out without hesitation.
