Best after-work drinks spots in Calgary

It’s been the proverbial hard day at the office. Or not. Maybe you’ve aced that important presentation. Either way, drinks are in order. These Calgary watering holes suit a spectrum of after-work drinks requirements whether you need a spot in which to celebrate success, blow off steam or simply take a quiet break.

Best after-work drinks spots in Calgary
Ian Doig By

Murrieta's Inc

1
200-808 1 St Sw, Calgary, AB T2P 1M9

Situated in the lovely old Alberta Hotel, Murrieta’s has just the right amount of post-work polish and a casual vibe, and so it’s a popular wind-down spot with the 9 to 5 crowd. Start your evening in the upstairs lounge with its long bar or on the narrow patio, which overlooks Stephen Avenue in summer. Start with a two-ounce cocktail or a local pint.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Black Betty Burger & Wine Bar Ltd

2
606 1 St SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1M6

Take a seat in the main-floor lounge or at the bar in the lower level of this intimate restaurant and lounge. Wine is the theme drink. The place serves a concise list of mostly Canadian and U.S. brands, but also consider sampling a seasonal sangria.

Hose and Hound Neighbourhood Pub

3
1030 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0S7

Handy to downtown, this refurbished brick fire hall is located in Inglewood on the Ninth Avenue Southeast boutique strip. Famously haunted (so they say) by a ghost monkey and other fire-fighting former inhabitants, you’ll want to make this your own haunt. Order a pint and enjoy its relaxed atmosphere.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Kings Head Pub

4
15-9116 Macleod Trail Se, Calgary, AB T2J 0P5

Shake off the fog of work with a visit to this rockin’ little eatery and drinkery just south of downtown on Macleod Trail. Fridays are especially electric, with evening musical performances by top local bar bands. The place always seems to feature a pint special.

Last Best Brewing & Distilling Brewpub Inc

5
607 11th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0E1

A gorgeously designed, multi-room beer hall and restaurant, Last Best’s hot-yellow door makes the 11th Avenue Southwest spot easy to locate. Divided by a room-length central bar, it features exposed brick, old-growth beams and warm, contemporary lighting. Its menu of gourmet comfort foods features both shareable, small plates (elk-and-pork meatballs, beer-braised clams) and entrees (vegetable sandwich, tourtiere, bison gruyere patty melt). Try its house-brand beers on tap.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Blanco Cantina

6
723 17th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0B6

Sister Mexican restaurant to Añejo, Blanco Cantina exudes Mexican rec-room chic with a garage door wall that opens to the sun in summer, turning the whole place into an indoor patio. For snacking or starters, begin with spicy wings, house-made guacamole and quesadillas. The tacos are tops, but the burritos are big: the beef brisket-filled El Demonio weighs a pound. Pair with any of 50 tequilas, Latin cocktails and beach-party-apropos beer cocktails.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:
More from Ian Doig Ian Doig
Ian Doig’s week may include dim sum lunch with friends, rummaging through indie bookstore shelves as well as scribbling in his notepad at Calgary shops and farmers’ markets. It most often concludes with a relaxing Friday evening pint of locally brewed craft beer.
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