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Cheers to great drinks and good eats at some of the coolest spots in Canada.

Mixologist smoking a cocktail at Eau Claire Distillery Speakeasy.
Try a handcrafted, smoked cocktail at Eau Claire Distillery Speakeasy.

From jazzy dives to upscale experiences, Alberta caters to all thirsts

Love a good cocktail? Just looking to grab a craft brew in a relaxed bar? No matter your tastes, Alberta has just the spot for you, so grab a friend or two and head out to explore Canada’s spirited side.

Meet up, drink up, and relax

Rally the crew, order a round and enjoy the surroundings. Whether you’re enjoying a warm summer night on a patio or watching the snow fly from behind glass, Alberta’s bars and pubs are welcoming for all groups and gatherings any time of year.

A group of skiers and snowboarders enjoying food and beer at the Cliffhouse Bistro in Mt. Norquay.
Wrap up a long hike or a perfect ski day with a refreshing drink

A spot to match any vibe

Bartender making a drink at Bar Clementine in Edmonton

Cocktail bars and distilleries

Cater to your indulgent side at one of Alberta’s many cocktail bars and try a drink of your choosing in trendy establishments. Or head to a local distillery and sip your way through local ingredients, boiled down to their finest flavours.

Two music performers singing and playing guitar on a dark stage

Live music venues

Feeling a low-key drink while local talent croons in the background? You got it. After a bigger show where you can vibe to the music, dance, and still have a great drink? We’ve got that too, whether you’re in the city or small mountain towns.

Close-up of wine and cheese by the fireplace inside Chimney Corner at Sunshine Village in Banff National Park

Wine bars

Are you a casual sipper, or something of a sommelier? EIther way, Alberta has the wine bar for you. Check out Frenchie Wine Bar for small, unique wine producers while you’re in Calgary, or get your grub on at the same time at Tzin Wine and Tapas in Edmonton.

Fans leaving Rogers Place after an Edmonton Oilers hockey game

Sports bars

Whether you’re a hockey fan looking to watch the action alongside other fans, or want to catch a football game while you’re away from home, you’re covered with any one of Alberta’s sports bars. Grab a beer, grab a snack and cheer on your team.

Friends playing ping pong on the patio at The National on 8th Avenue in Calgary.

Drinks and games

Drum up the competition and a good thirst while you bowl, swing a table tennis racket or get competitive with gaming. Find massive arcade-like venues like The Rec Room in Edmonton, as well as bowling bars like High Rollers in Banff, where you can sip a beer between strikes.

Rainbow painted on the street during the Edmonton Pride parade.

LGBTQ+

A welcoming atmosphere, good times and great people are key to any night out, and you’ll find them all here. Be sure to visit The Backlot Bar, Calgary’s oldest gay-owned and operated bar, or check out the nightlife during Banff or Edmonton’s Pride Festivals.

Where the locals go

Looking for the current hotspots in Calgary and Edmonton? Start here

Inside Lulu bar in Calgary while no one is there

Lulu Bar

The food and drink menu at Lulu, on Calgary’s 17th Ave, is designed to whisk you far away from the prairies with flavours reminiscent of the Pacific Ocean and the regions influenced by it.

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Close-up of a bartender stirring a drink at Woodwork Restaurant in Edmonton

Woodwork

Edmonton’s Woodwork exists at the intersection of wood-fired food and barrel-aged spirits. Their collection of spirits, cocktails and a curated wine list are sure to quench your thirst.

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Bartender chatting to seated customer from behind the bar at Proof in Calgary

Proof

Proof believes that sharing food and drink is essential to the human experience. Their literature-minded cocktail menu is certain to entice and delight while you’re in Calgary.

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Bartender serving craft cocktails at a restaurant and bar

National on 10th

Settle in with a good drink at Calgary’s best place to play and relax in the downtown core. Pingpong tables, a bowling alley and foosball tables will keep you entertained all night.

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Couple drinking cocktails at clementime bar in edmonton

Bar Clementine

This elegant bar in the Oliver neighbourhood of Edmonton draws inspiration from nature and early 20th century art. Each cocktail is created to evoke feelings and memories with every sip.

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The Next Act

Perched in Edmonton’s Old Strathcona, The Next Act is serving up an impressive beer list, along with food to suit any taste, from grilled tofu sandwiches to PB&J burgers.

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Bar Bricco

Get a little taste of Italy right in downtown Edmonton. Bar Bricco is an intimate, 30-seat Italian wine and spuntini (snack) bar. Sip delectable wines and enjoy imported meats and cheese.

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Close up of a man wearing a cowboy hat dancing in a country bar

Featured establishment

Get your cowboy on at Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dancehall

Stampede season or not, you’re bound to have a good time at Calgary’s iconic country nightclub. Work on that two-step while you show off your best western digs on the dancefloor, then wind down with a good drink and a rib-sticking snack.

Unique and local watering holes

Make the journey for drinks off the beaten path, like Mad Trapper’s Smokehouse on the hill at Sunshine Village, or get into the mountain spirit with local flavours at Park Distillery Restaurant & Bar.

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Snowboards leaning up against a restaurant at a alpine resort
Rest your tired legs with an aprés meal and drink at Mad Trapper’s Smokehouse.
Friends sitting around the dinner table in front of a fireplace at Park Distillery in Banff
Tuck into a truly local cocktail and good meal.
A group of friends watching a bartender pour during a tasting at a Distillery

Eau Claire Distillery

Experience the tastes of the mountains and prairies turned to premium spirits and whisky at Alberta’s original craft distillery in the historic town of Diamond Valley.

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Canadian Brewhouse

Get your Canada on at one of Canadian Brewhouse’s many locations throughout Alberta. Catch any game you’re thinking of, sample the large beer menu and grab a hearty meal.

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Last Chance Saloon

Drive back in time as you head out Highway 10X to Wayne, Alberta, where you’ll find this century-old saloon serving up stiff drinks and famous striploin steaks you grill yourself.

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Two friends drinking shooters and beers at the Ship & Anchor pub in Calgary

Ship and Anchor Pub

Head on down to “The Ship” to experience a Calgary institution. With a patio, perfectly crafted pub food, fun vibes and always the right selection of beverages, this is a can’t miss spot.

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Water Valley Saloon

As Albertan as it gets. Hearty soups, burgers and drinks, plus parking for your truck, RV, horse, motorcycle, ATV or snowmobile, surrounded by the beautiful landscape of Water Valley.

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Exterior of the Jasper Brewing Company at night

Jasper Brewing Company

Choose from six signature beers brewed on-site from premium hops, malts and pure mountain water. Watch your favourite sports in the pub over a round and some delicious appetizers.

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Water Valley Saloon

As Albertan as it gets. Hearty soups, burgers and drinks, plus parking for your truck, RV, horse, motorcycle, ATV or snowmobile, surrounded by the beautiful landscape of Water Valley.

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Man and woman enjoying a meal and glass of wine at a restaurant

The Bav and The Tav

Experience mountain dining and drinking at Bragg Creek’s Bavarian Inn. Recharge with a quick drink and snack at The Tav, or dive deep into German food and hospitality at The Bav.

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People enjoying beverages at the top of the Banff Gondola with moutain views during the evening

Featured stories

5 min read

Taste the Spirit of Alberta at These Six Distilleries

Meet six distilleries putting Alberta spirit-making on the map and bringing local ingredients to the world stage with award-winning and unique beverages.

A pint of beer is poured from a draft tap in a brewery.

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Exploring the Breweries of Red Deer and Central Alberta

Sip and savour the award-winning craft beers produced in Central Alberta.

Two people bike along a path in Calgary

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Bike, Bites and Brews: A Fun Way to Explore Calgary

Go on an urban adventure by bicycle. There’s no better way to explore a city than on two wheels. Pull over for beautiful vistas, architecture, or to sample tasty beverages and food.

Dogs in a sidecar on Whyte Avenue at night.

3 min read

Pooches on Patios: Alberta’s Restaurants Embrace Trend of Dining with Your Dog

You’ll find several dog-friendly patios at restaurants, bars and breweries across Alberta. Many of them dole out little extras to pamper your pooch, too.

Know before you go

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