Hotel bars that hop in Calgary

Don’t have a room? Not a problem. You don’t need to stay at the hotel to visit these excellent in-house bars. So take a wander through the lobby and find your way to the bar for drinks or a bite to eat. These establishments range from friendly, no-frills sports pubs to elegant cocktail retreats.

Raw Bar

1
119 12 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0G8

Named for one of the city’s most decorated chefs, Raw Bar’s Viet-influenced menu by Duncan Ly is as big a draw as its Asian-inflected cocktail list by Christina Mah, one of the city’s top bartenders. The second of two restaurants in Hotel Arts, a guest could spend much of their stay here.

Hotel Le Germain-Calgary

2
101-899 Centre St SW, Calgary, AB T2G 1B8

Hôtel Le Germain’s ground-floor lounge is located adjacent to the very busy Charcut Roast House, one of Calgary’s top restaurants. And though glass walls bracket the open-concept drink spot, it feels deliciously secluded. Definitely order Champagne and/or cocktails and a cheese plate.

Sandstone Lounge

3
700 Centre St SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6

This Stephen Avenue retreat is located next door to the rustically chic Thomsons Restaurant in the downtown Hyatt Regency. Sandstone Lounge features its own seafood-focused variation on Thomsons’ Alberta cuisine, plus a full drink menu. Try a selection from its excellent seasonal cocktails list.

Lobby Lounge

4
5490 Blackfoot Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2H 2B5

A sunny watering hole in Hotel Blackfoot, this is a pleasant spot in which to relax with a beverage or a full meal. The lounge menu features an inventive selection of Canadian cuisine that includes snacks and charcuterie and a range of entrees.

The Oak Room

5
133 9 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 2M3

It’s no exaggeration to say that the Fairmont Palliser Hotel has featured a cushy lounge since the city’s early Wild West days. And the Oak Room has been a Calgary beverage institution for decades. Try an update on a classic cocktail or invent a reason to celebrate with a glass of the best Champagne.

The quintessential Mexican meal, tacos are also a relatively scarce commodity in Calgary. However, we’ve done some digging and unearthed the select few restaurants that make truly marvelous versions of these hand-held snacks.
The city’s summer season features a delicious dance card of culinary festivals and events. Many, such as Stampede-time pancake breakfasts, are easy to access the day of, but the various tasting and tippling shindigs listed here can fill up quickly, so purchasing tickets sooner than later for these foodie festivities is recommended. Image credit: iStock.com/kasto80.
The city’s pathway system is one of the longest in North America. Given its lengthy stretches, the occasional rest and snack stop, though few and far between, are a welcome sight when walking, biking and inline skating. Here are a few restaurants, cafés and snack shacks located on or near our scenic cycling system. Image credit: iStock.com/mihailomilovanovic.
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