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.
This Habitat is no place to get in touch with nature, but a spot where all the creatures of the night meet regularly to enjoy some refreshing club music and a few drinks along with it. With an ambiance quite sophisticated, this club has comfortable seating arrangements and a bar that serves cocktails to quench your thirst, while the dancing is done on the tunes of local professional DJs. Certainly a fine place to go to with your friends and have a nice time.
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.
The Garage Sports Bar is the sort of places guys sneak off to: a hip refuge of pool tables, satellite TV-fed sports and video games. Tucked into a corner of the downtown Eau Claire Market, the focus here is on shooting pool and the breeze over a few drinks and finger food. There are numerous bar-sized playing tables, all rented on a clock. Some fourteen televisions blast the latest hockey and football games, and a DJ has music constantly playing. Though it's billed as a restaurant, this is not a true sit-down experience, with a menu that tilts toward Italian Panini sandwiches and chicken wings.
A visit to Calgary is not complete without a stop at Eau Claire, considered one of downtown Calgary’s crowd drawers. One of the more visible pubs in Eau Claire is the Bow River Barley Mill with its symbolic sawmill waterwheel. The Barley Mill is a favorite watering hole for hockey fans and those who come for the 10-day Stampede in July. The pub is charming with welcoming decor and friendly service. Along with a comprehensive lunch and dinner menu, the Bow River Barley Mill also boasts an extensive wine, beer, and spirits lists.
Kingfisher Seafoods offer a warm and cozy ambiance with quick and attentive service. The restaurant is divided into three sections, and you're seated according to the size of your party. Offerings include some of the best seafood in the city including calamari, deep-fried oysters, clams fried in butter, prawns, scallops and char. There is an excellent sampling plate that consists of crab, mussels, clams and prawns, as well as an excellent dessert menu. Contact for further details.
The subdued atmosphere here lures many businesspeople and travelers in from the bustle of the 7th Street crowds. The walls are hung with calm, unobtrusive paintings and large mirrors whose reflections supply the dining area light. Unlike many downtown restaurants, it is cheap to eat here. The bar at Choice Cafe is open all day and Happy Hour lasts from 3p until closing.
The ornate fixtures at Fionn MacCool's have been brought over from the old country, and the bar itself is Guinness approved, meaning visitors will find a true pint of the dark nectar. The crowd is decidedly up market and quite rightly so, considering the luxurious profile of the hotel within which it sits. The affordable pub style menu ranges from traditional Celtic dishes to traditional Irish beer. The excellent selection of whiskeys from single malt to Scotch and Irish is a delight for whiskey lovers while the traditional and craft cocktails on offer good variety. Regular live music makes for a great accompaniment to your evening. All-in-all, an elegant chill-out destination.
Serving a whooping 1250 eggs benedict a month, it’s no wonder Diner Deluxe is always crowded. Styled in a very 1950s fashion, this humble diner caters to people looking for real wholesome food that feels like it came out straight out of mom’s kitchen. What’s better is that they have a weekly menu that offers something special, each day of the week. Those who wish to sample their legendary meatloaf and Grilled Cheese Sandwich will need to get in line, as this place gets pretty busy during the day. So much so that they refuse to take reservations or even entertain a group of more than six. But it's all worth it!