5 Top-Rated Bars in Calgary That Locals Don’t Want Tourists to Find
Last month, my friend dragged me to one of those TikTok-famous bars; you know the kind—funky decor, neon signs, and cutesy $20 drinks. Spoiler alert: It was a huge dud.
The following week, I took him to a low-key hole-in-the-wall a few blocks from my place—no content creators or overpriced cocktails. Just cool retro music, good vibes, classic cocktails, and yes, a whole lot of fun.
It just goes to show that bars don’t need fabricated hype to be amazing. That said, here’s my well-guarded list of best-ranked Calgary bars that locals absolutely adore.
How much do drinks cost in Calgary bars?
Drinks in Calgary bars typically cost $7 to $14, with local beers and highballs on the lower end and craft cocktails or premium spirits on the higher side. Basically, a casual night out usually runs around $40 to $80 per person.
1. Bridgette Bar
– Media credit: yycgirlsnight
Address: 739 10 Ave SW
Phone: (403) 700-0191
Business hours:
- Mon – Tue: 11:30 AM – 11 PM
- Wed – Thurs: 11:30 AM – 12 AM
- Friday: 11:30 AM – 1 AM
- Saturday: 2 PM – 1 AM
- Sunday: 2 PM – 11 PM
If you’re excited to grab drinks but you’re also low-key starving, Bridgette Bar is where you want to be. Nestled in the Design District, this bar is known for serving seriously amazing small plates and cocktails.
I just love its gorgeous mid-century modern design—rich dark and light woods, mixed metals, industrial lighting, etc. It’s effortlessly stylish without going over the top, and their outdoor seating is lovely, too.
As for the food, I suggest ordering their eggplant fries with green harissa yogurt. This pairs well with their Cloud 9 cocktail—a light and refreshing mix of gin, elderflower, grapefruit, lime, and egg whites.
For a good deal, you should go during Matinee Happy Hour from 2 PM to 5 PM. Half-priced drinks in the middle of the afternoon? Yes, please.
Just a heads up—long wait times can happen during peak hours, so I recommend booking ahead or arriving early.
One of my favorite places for dinner and cocktails
“Bridgette bar is one of my favorite places to go in Calgary for dinner and cocktails, if you have the pleasure of getting Colton as your server, just know you got the best server in the building!! The food is always amazing, the menu doesn’t change too too much – sometimes I wished it did just to see some more creativity come from the kitchen, but at the same time it’s nice to be able to go in and get consistent plates (like the ricotta dumplings, eggplant fries, spiced beet salad, strip steak) you know are going to be fantastic every time!! The cocktails are quite the same, they are all fun and fantastic, I will usually order the Cloud 9, Jr. Stargazer, or Paradise City.”
— iris walter, Google Review
Drinks and food impressed us with their deliciousness
“Highly recommended to everyone! It was our first time in this restaurant, and definitely not the last! The drinks and food impressed us with their deliciousness. The atmosphere is very modern and nice. Our waitress was amazing and helped us with the choice of dishes, all the dishes she recommended were very tasty.”
— Kateryna Vorontsova, Google Review
2. Betty Lou’s Library
– Media credit: sarah.sociables
Address: 908 17 Ave SW
Phone: (403) 454-4774
Business hours:
- Wed, Sun: 5 PM – 11 PM
- Thursday: 5 PM – 11:30 PM
- Fri – Sat: 5 PM – 1 AM
Opened in 2016, Betty Lou’s Library is a Prohibition-style speakeasy tucked away behind a discreet door in Calgary. And yes, it requires a password to get in (just pick up the phone in the lobby and say “Gatsby”).
I love its 1920s vibe—there are velvet chairs, crystal chandeliers, and even velvet ropes by the entrance. Plus, I enjoy the literary theme, with clever references sprinkled throughout the menu.
Speaking of the menu, order the Zelda Fitzgerald—a concoction of vodka, Aperol, St. Germain, Earl Grey syrup, and lemon juice. And if you’re feeling the munchies, go for the Peasant Cheese Pain Grille, which is just a fancy term for grilled cheese.
They host all sorts of epic events, too; on Wednesdays, you can catch a burlesque show, and on Thursdays, there’s live jazz.
Sure, they’re a tad pricey, but I promise, it’s totally worth it.
Absolutely fantastic place for jazz and great cocktails!
“Absolutely fantastic place for jazz and great cocktails! The ambiance was absolutely tremendous. We enjoyed the venue and the jazz was absolutely stupendous, cocktails were tremendous, and we would highly recommend it for a date night or just a night out with some friends.”
— Silvano Brecevic, Google Review
Drinks were genuinely the best I’ve had in Calgary
“Incredible speakeasy in Calgary. I went a couple of weeks ago with some friends and we loved it. The vibe was awesome, but most importantly, the drinks were genuinely the best I’ve had in Calgary. Usually, you pay for an overpriced cocktail, and it tastes like straight liquor, but here I enjoyed every sip of the drinks I had. The Zelda Fitzgerald and Anais Nin were incredibly tasty. The staff were kind and knowledgeable. I’m so glad I’ve been here, I would love to go again.”
— Ariana, Google Review
3. Prohibition Lounge YYC
– Media credit: prohibitionbaryyc
Address: 720 17 Ave SW #30
Phone: (825) 734-1920
Business hours:
- Tue – Thurs, Sun: 5 PM – 1 AM
- Fri – Sat: 5 PM – 2 AM
Another cool (and more spacious) 20s-style bar is Prohibition Lounge YYC. This authentic speakeasy feels both luxe and low-key, from the dim lighting and gold accents to the dark wood and huge leather couches.
Their cocktail list is to die for—you can choose between House Specialty or Prohibition-era cocktails. My go-to order is Sinatra’s Black Tuxedo—a stunning mix of noire-infused gin, passion fruit puree, egg whites, and 24K gold flakes.
Food-wise, they’re top-notch too. I love their delicious Black Market Big Mac, a (literally) cheesy take on the fast-food classic, loaded with beef, pickles, and secret sauce.
And if you enjoy a little sleight of hand, go there on a Tuesday for awesome tableside magicians from 7 PM to 10 PM.
Now, a quick heads-up—the service can be a bit slow, so patience is the key. But with the awesome jazz music playing, you might not even notice the wait.
The best place to stop for a nightcap
“The best place to stop for a nightcap. I mean, 2 drinks each for a couple will be around $80, but I think it’s worth it for a special treat. The place has a very cool vibe. Our server, Mitch, was amazing and very knowledgeable about the drinks. Here are the drinks we had; the first two drinks listed came with a presentation!”
— Tracey Stewart, Google Review
Drinks were super aesthetic and delicious
“I went to Prohibition with my besties for their birthday, and everything about it was so fun and inviting! The drinks were super aesthetic and delicious too! Our server, Sabina, was super nice and made amazing drink and food recommendations. I can’t wait to come back!”
— Angie Brown, Google Review
4. Proof
– Media credit: proofyyc
Address: 1302 1 St SW
Phone: (403) 246-2414
Business hours:
- Mon, Sun: 4 PM – 12 AM
- Tue – Sat: 4 PM – 1 AM
If you’re a cocktail aficionado, then Proof is your Mecca—that’s because everyone who works here lives and breathes cocktail culture. No wonder they’ve earned a spot on Canada’s 100 Best Bars list.
One drink you have to try is their Old Fashioned. It’s bold and balanced, with rich whiskey, bitters, sugar, and a hit of orange zest that pulls it together.
And if you and your crew’s feeling snacky, go for the Charcuterie Board—a solid spread with two cheeses, two meats, pate, olives, nuts, fruit preserves, etc. They even offer vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Happy Hour runs every day from 4 PM to 7 PM, and Mondays get an upgrade too with ‘Case of the Mondays’—an all-night happy hour and 50% off the back bar. They also offer ‘Martini Tuesdays,’ perfect if you love martinis and oysters.
Unfortunately, we heard about some rude servers.
Named one of the top bars in North America
“It’s been named one of the top bars in North America, and it’s easy to see why. All the cocktails were amazing and very well balanced 👌 the food was delicious! It’s definitely a spot you have to check out if you’re in Calgary!”
— Randy Pearson, Google Review
Cocktails are definitely some of the best I’ve ever had
“I just came to visit Calgary for a couple of days, and Proof will undoubtedly be the highlight of my trip! They do such an incredible job. The cocktails are next level, definitely some of the best I have ever had. Then there’s the exceptional hospitality, which will leave a lasting impression. Proof is proof that when there’s a business with a lot of heart combined with talented employees, what you get is a recipe for creating special moments!”
— Ezra Aleba, Google Review
5. Shelter
– Media credit: shelter.yyc
Address: 1210 1 St SW
Phone: (403) 233-7730
Business hours:
- Tue – Thurs: 5 PM – 12 AM
- Fri – Sat: 5 PM – 2 AM
- Sunday: 7 PM – 12 AM
Shelter is a cocktail bar and lounge that oozes gritty, steampunk-ish, European cool, from its wall of gas masks to its light fixture with over 5000 light bulbs.
Their cocktail program is top-shelf—not surprising, seeing that they were named one of Canada’s 100 Best Bars. They use foraged ingredients, housemade ferments, and clarified juices to create inventive and delicious drinks.
Speaking of which, they offer classic and seasonal options; even mocktails are served here, so everyone has something to sip on. My top pick is their Nightmare on 1st Street—a smoky, spicy blend with vanilla, mole bitters, cacao, and habaneros.
As for food, they invite guest chefs who rotate in with their own style, culture, and tasting menus.
We did notice that many other patrons hate their one-bill policy for groups. Do plan ahead, or maybe bring your favorite bill-splitting app.
Best cocktail bar in Calgary
“My wife & I had cocktails here last night. Great ambiance & the cocktails were fantastic. The staff were very knowledgeable & the service was 10/10. I’d say best cocktail bar in Calgary. We’ll definitely be back & I’d recommend it to anyone!”
— Johnny Goyetche, Google Review
Ryan is a phenomenal mixologist
“Great cocktail bar. Ryan is a phenomenal mixologist. Great atmosphere. Great cocktails. Highly recommend.”
— Raymond Menard, Google Review