Diners' Choice: Great for creative cocktails restaurants in Calgary / Southern Alberta

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best handcrafted cocktails in Calgary / Southern Alberta? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Sweet Loretta

5.0

5 (290)

CAN$30 and under

Mediterranean

Beltline

About the restaurant

Sweet Loretta is the latest venture from Concorde Group. Building on the city’s legacy of iconic music venues, the multidisciplinary space will feature programming from rotating resident DJs, live music, and emerging artists, alongside exceptional food and drink. Part disco, snack bar, and lounge.

Please note that our phone number is a text-only line and is not equipped to take incoming calls. If you need to cancel or request a change to your reservation please send us a text and we'll reply as soon as we're able.

Sweet Loretta is an 18+ venue & minors are prohibited.

Top review

Kevin

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Incredible DJ Friday early evening! Food, drinks and service all amazing. Fantastic Happy Hour!

Discover more

Experience

Beltline Record Club 027: City Pop

afterEIGHT

5.0

5 (16)

CAN$51 and over

Speakeasy

Downtown

About the restaurant

Recognized by @Worlds50bestBars as one of the "11 Best Bar Openings of 2025."

afterEIGHT as the name implies is open ONLY after the EIGHT clientele departs. Entry is granted based on a first come, first-served basis as such reservations are limited
For those without a reservation The waitlist can be joined starting at 10 PM Thursday, Friday, and Saturday

Without a reservation to secure a seat:

1. Walk in and dial “8” on the secret “phone” to gain priority entrance
2. Or join the waitlist on OpenTable starting at 10 PM
3. Stay nearby for a text notification if a seat becomes available
4. Arrive within 10 minutes of the text. Seats will not be held

afterEIGHT is where Japanese precision and attention to detail meets western hospitality. The 15-foot vaulted arched ceilings, gilded in 10K gold, bathe the space in warm light. Every element, from the adobo wood bar, exclusive hand-blown Kimura stemware and bespoke seating has been carefully curated with intent - for you our guest.

Top review

Tammy

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

We only had cocktails but an amazing ambiance, only seating for six in this hidden gem. Highly recommend! The drinks were amazing and the bartender definitely knew his cocktails!

Discover more

Experience

A la Carte Reservation

Business & Pleasure

4.9

4.9 (130)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Cocktail Bar

Inglewood

About the restaurant

Bustling 22 seat cocktail bar tucked behind Neighbour Coffee offering dinner, cocktails & natural wine in a low-lit space.

Top review

NikitaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

I can’t think of many other places in town that have this outstanding level of food for this price. Fantastic cocktails curated in house, great wine selection with a solid amount of natural and funky wines too. Small but cozy atmosphere. This place is great, try the whipped feta, you will audibly moan and people will look at you funny but who gives af right?

Discover more

Experience

Business Casual

L'Olivo Cicchetti & Lounge

4.9

4.9 (25)

CAN$30 and under

Italian

Inglewood

About the restaurant

L'Olivo is Calgary's newest culinary destination, where we invite you to immerse yourself in a Venetian-inspired lifestyle through the art of cicchetti. More than just small plates, cicchetti embodies a traditional social ritual, a way of life where friends gather, share stories, and appreciate small bites alongside simple and enjoyable drinks. At L'Olivo, we’re bringing this unique and lively experience to Calgary, creating excellent moments for our guests.

Beyond extraordinary cicchetti, L'Olivo offers a sophisticated lounge experience. Our curated list of cocktails and wines sets us apart, featuring both classic Italian selections and unique mixtures designed to complement our culinary offerings. Whether you're seeking a pre-dinner aperitivo or a relaxed evening of drinks, our lounge is designed to be your local, trendy spot in town.

Top review

KevinVIP

Dined today

Amazing Authentic Italian Food. Great Value and high quality food with beautiful presentation. Highly recommend we will be back!

True Wild Distilling

4.8

4.8 (233)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Calgary

About the restaurant

Welcome to the True Wild Distilling Bar & Restaurant, A live-fire restaurant nestled between towering whisky and gin stills inside a stunning heritage building. High-quality proteins and sustainable vegetables dishes are infused with the unique flavour profile that only charcoal can impart. Unpretentious yet premium, we’ve developed a menu that’s driven by the spirits of its surroundings and is complimentary in nature.

True masters of their craft, our mixologists expertly blend our spirits with curated ingredients to create cocktails that are as delicious as they are imaginative. Whether you’re in the mood for a perfectly prepared classic or want to try something new, our bar has what you’re looking for.

It’s not just a meal or a drink; it’s an experience that stirs something inside.

Top review

Robert

Dined 3 days ago

I will not say too much except that I love that place: good food, good ambiance, and amazing people.

Discover more

Experience

Distillery Tour and Tasting

Prickett Richard

4.7

4.7 (291)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Cocktail Bar

Beltline

About the restaurant

Prickett Richard is a cocktail bar located in the underbelly of Comery Block Barbecue. You’ll find the entrance in the back alley just off the corner of 17th Avenue and 6th Street SW. Look for the steel door and head inside. You’ll see a kitchen on your left, don’t go in there, just head downstairs and through the wooden clad door straight ahead. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are available based on availability.

Top review

Claire

Dined on Jun 28, 2025

Lovely service and ambiance, would definitely come back. Drinks were good but some were a little disappointing for the price. Would skip the food next time.

Blue Rock Swim Club

4.7

4.7 (164)

CAN$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Calgary

About the restaurant

No running by the pool!

For membership inquiries, please email info@bluerockswimclub.com

Top review

ShannonVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent experience the cocktails and food were top notch and the space is beautiful. The service was above and beyond best we’ve had in a long time. 12/10

The Potion Room

4.5

4.5 (350)

CAN$30 and under

Fusion / Eclectic

Inglewood

About the restaurant

A Magical Place for Wizards, Witches, & Muggles Alike to Meet and Celebrate Life While Sipping Fine Handcrafted Potions and Elixirs Like No Other!!!

Please note that the reservations have a 90-minute time limit per table for parties of 4 or less!

Top review

Leann

Dined on Apr 6, 2025

We all enjoyed the potion drinks and especially the presentation. Being a Harry Potter fan made it even better

Pimlico Bar

4.3

4.3 (11)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary British

Beltline

About the restaurant

Pimlico Bar is an energetic London style open kitchen & craft cocktail bar, featuring an eclectic Modern British menu with Commonwealth & European influences.

An intimate, cosy, yet fun & lively atmosphere, Pimlico is a great place to enjoy unique food, fantastic cocktails and our friendly service. We have an extended outdoor patio in the summer, where you can watch the world go by in the heart of 17th Avenue, Calgary's top entertainment district.

Top review

Marnie

Dined on Jul 6, 2025

The food was really great. 100% recommend the Chicken Tikki Masala. Super chill and fun atmosphere. Live DJ played the whole evening. Fun times.

Truth Restaurant & Bar

4.1

4.1 (45)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Fusion / Eclectic

Beltline

About the restaurant

A galaxy-astrology themed dining and cocktail experience, blending Indian and Italian flavors. Dine under the stars with celestial decor & fusion eats

Top review

Daphne

Dined on May 26, 2025

It was quite a nice time. Went there with my boyfriend for his birthday and the themed drinks were very creative, although I think the price per portion was a bit steep. Good ingredients and food so that makes up for it a bit at least.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Calgary / Southern Alberta

Explore more Diners' Choice lists