Before opening the space, the owners and collaborators of Model Milk sought to create a menu and a restaurant that would combine both innovation and comfort. They support local farmers by sourcing ingredients produced around the region, and seek to use every last inch of whatever produce and meat they can get their hands on. What has resulted is a restaurant and bar that feels both homey and elegant. Modern Milk is located within in an old creamery, so diners are seated at wood tables nestled against authentic brick walls that give the space mix of contemporary and rustic appeal. The menu focuses on simple, elegantly crafted dishes, while the beverage list is an artisanal cocktail-lover's dream. The restaurant also hosts a communal dinner every Sunday, during which guests share a family-style meal that includes a first and second course, as well as dessert.
This popular nightclub and bar hosts the city's up-and-coming bands with live music every night. You can also enjoy great food while you watch the bands performing live; the restaurant opens early to host breakfast and lunch, and is always willing to pour a drink. Choose from an excellent food menu of pub favorites and a spirit list to keep the night rocking. If you're hoping to find the next big band and soak up some local culture at the same time, drop into The Broken City where you're sure to do both.
A visitor walking through the wide front doors of this revived heritage bank building may quickly feel they've died and gone to Ireland. Patrons of the James Joyce Authentic Irish Pub appreciate the brews on tap (Guinness at three different temperatures and many other ales), as well as the acres of dark wood and utter absence of televisions or loud video game machines. The food includes modestly priced pub fare such as soups, stews and carved meats. For a big snack, try their Irish take on nachos.
Nestled in Eau Claire in Calgary, Commonwealth Bar & Stage is a premier nightlife destination for the people residing in Calgary. An old warehouse which was turned into a twin-level night club, it offers an ultimate experience with popular DJs who turn up the heat by playing some heart throbbing tracks. After shaking your leg on the groovy rap, electronic, hip hop and inde rock tunes, one can relish the range of food items served at this venue. The nights are themed with music played both upstairs and downstairs. The ambiance is electric and takes you into a different dimension.
Consistently voted among the top country clubs in the country, Ranchman's is a south Calgary favorite that has been packing people in for generations, particularly during the wild annual Calgary Stampede. While other clubs purport to be country, this is the real deal, with strapping young men pulling in by truck at night from the ranches that litter the land surrounding Calgary. The rodeo crowd also hangs out here when in town. There's live music in the dance hall section and a DJ in the bar up front, as well as on the outdoor patio. The attached restaurant serves steaks and burgers.
At Proof, each night is all about perfectly crafted cocktails and stress-free service. The quirky cocktail bar believes that their guests should be able to sip and savor without having to pack into a crowded bar, which is why they only allow in as many people as they have chairs. The bar has a seasonal menu that changes with ingredients they purchase from local producers, which means that guests are only served the freshest of cocktails and tapas. Also on offer are a curated selection of wines and beer.
Established in 1996, the Wild Rose Brewery has been delighting beer-lovers with fine quality craft brews. Velvet Fog, a Canadian Wheat Ale, WRaspberry Ale, made from real raspberry fruit and Stout are few of the gorgeous golden wonders brewed here. Take a tour around to find out the secret behind the brewing process. Once you're done exploring the brewery, head out to the delightful taproom and enjoy the fine brews in the company of beer-lovers. To accompany the brews is an above average food menu that has something for everyone. For those who wish to take their draft beer home, Wild Rose has engineered an ingenious contraption called the Party Pig, which stores and dispenses your favorite beer.
The speak-easy, bygone vibe is in full-force at this barber shop and neighborhood cocktail bar. Sulky light glows from fixtures out of the 1930s, a massive marble-top counter dominates the interior, and a friendly guiding principle to have patrons well-fed, well-groomed, well-imbibed win the day and night here. The food menu is a bit more contemporary than the aesthetics suggest, with kale salad, bahn mi sandwiches, and vegetarian selections. The cuts, however, are to-the point, and do not get more sophisticated than the “fancy beard trim.” Please note that the bar stays open until the very early morning, while the barber shop closes between 4p and 9p.
A fashionable and modern coffee house, Gravity Espresso & Wine Bar is usually bustling with young people from the office spaces nearby. While rich, smooth and nuanced coffees, delicious baked goods and cheese plates seem to be the specialty here, distinctive craft beers and fragrant wines are also served in its warm and inviting space. Impressive live music acts featuring local talented musicians further add to the charm of the place. Gravity Espresso & Wine Bar is a great place to hang out with friends or enjoy a cup of coffee while you work.
A trendy and upscale bar located in downtown Calgary, Bridgette Bar is a lively bar that serves delectable bites along with tasteful drinks from an extensive cocktail, beer, wine and sake list. Featuring an interior complete with exposed brickwork, quirky decor and colorful and plush couches, the establishment is known for its friendliness and passion. Grab a drink from the full bar and pair them with snacks like roasted olives, fritters, french fries, lamb sausage, and a variety of pastas and pizzas among other dishes like grilled farm chicken and Wagyu beef. Drop by with friends and family, and unwind in the pleasant atmosphere as you indulge in some tasteful drinks and food.
A quaint bar and restaurant nestled amid the exciting environs of Beltline, LuLu is imbued with a sense of nostalgia which stems from its laid-back aura and atmosphere. The interior, which features wooden plank-like walls and comfortable seating, and the subtle and attractive decor accentuate the warmth the space is perpetually suffused in. Lounge out on the patio as you sip tasteful drinks or unwind within the confines of the establishment while you dig into delightful and savory bites like steamed lobster dumplings, Thai sausage, slow roasted lamb, oyster mushroom and chicken satay among others. Munch on flavorsome food as you relish the sophisticated taste of the ingenious beverages in a pleasant and friendly space.
Milk Tiger Lounge is a great place in downtown Calgary if you want to spend the evening with friends over cool libations and good music. The chic lounge whips up some of the meanest and most original cocktails that you won't find anywhere else in town. The vibe is funky and reminiscent of urban New York bars. Also they have an excellent choice of food items on the menu. The crowd is very diverse so you won't feel out of place.