6 unforgettable places to get drinks after a meeting in Calgary

Calgary has a history of hosting meetings for just about every type of profession — medical professionals, energy executives, technology innovators and more. While the attendees at each of those programs have unique needs, members of these audiences all share one commonality: they’re looking for a place to raise a toast after each day wraps up.

Whether your attendees are looking for a night of craft beer and live music or hoping for a quiet cocktail bar that offers an escape from the convention hall crowds, these six spots make any hour a happy hour.

Shelter Cocktail Bar

 Forget the classics. Sure, you could order an Old Fashioned or a Martini at Shelter Cocktail Bar, but why stick with the ordinary when you can sample one of the most extraordinary beverage menus in the city? Mixologists here serve up specialties like the hazelnut-infused mezcal-forward Carrot & Violette and the Strawberry & Mushroom, a shiitake-fueled take on a Negroni. What’s in the glass pairs well with an equally unique backdrop that will make anyone’s followers wonder where they were lucky enough to score a seat - the wall behind the bar features a revolving collection of Cold War-era gas masks from around the world.

Best for: Attendees craving one-of-a-kind craft cocktails with a one-of-a-kind atmosphere

Distance: 12-minute walk from the BMO Centre

King Eddy

The King Eddy isn’t just a bar in Calgary, it’s an institution. After serving as both a hotel and a live blues venue for nearly 100 years, the city’s longest operating bar closed its doors in 2004 before reopening again in 2018. Attendees can catch live performances almost every night of the week, and even when the stage is empty, the music comes to life on the drink menu. Ramones fan? Order the “I Wanna Be Sedated.” Feeling a little more contemplative? Go with the prickly pear vodka “Silver Springs” while humming the ear worm Fleetwood Mac melody. Aiming to embrace the calm of Bob Marley? Ask the bartender for the “Sun Is Shining” tequila-rum pineapple-infused combination — proof that even when it’s cold here, Calgary can help attendees channel island vibes.

Best for: Attendees who want a sense of history with a live soundtrack

Distance: 10-minute walk from the BMO Centre

Proof

There’s a lot to love about Proof, which has landed on 50Best’s rundown of the best bars in North America numerous times, but attendees will need one warning before heading to this local favorite: be ready to make some tough decisions. The list of spirits here is nearly as tall as the Calgary Tower. The wall of bottles behind the bar shines especially bright for whisky lovers with a collection of global elites including 15-year Pappy Van Winkle, 21-year Redbreast, and Macallan 25-year.

Best for: Attendees who want the bragging rights of going to one of the best bars in Canada

Distance: 12-minute walk from BMO Centre

One18 Empire

Every good bartender has their own recipe for an Old Fashioned, but what if attendees want to flex their own creativity? Head to One18 Empire. Located in the Marriott and directly connected to the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, the bar’s Old Fashioned Central program includes five smoking options, three sugar choices, 20 bitters, and 16 bourbons. A Stampede Hickory-smoked glass with a maple syrup and moondogbitter base paired with a two-ounce pour of Woodford Double Baked, coming right up.

Pro tip - for an authentic only-in-Calgary concoction, go with a pour of Taber Corn Berbon. And yes, that’s the correct spelling to stay in line with the international rules of bourbon.

Best for: Attendees who want to build a customized Old Fashioned

Distance: 1-minute walk from the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre

After a full day of discussing the future during a convention, attendees can step into the past at The Wednesday Room. Designed by two University of Calgary alumni with an aim to feel like a setting of a Stanley Kubrick movie — specifically the terror of The Shining — this lounge offers an ideal quiet place to turn an introduction during the conference into a meaningful business conversation. There are no TVs, and the mid-century ambience offers a look back to a time when the constant buzz of mobile devices did not exist.

Best for: Attendees who want to forget it’s 2025 and enjoy the spirit of the 1960s

Distance: 2-minute walk from the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre

Craft Beer Market

With more than 40 breweries in Calgary, attendees may have trouble narrowing the list of places to sample while they’re in town. The good news is that they don’t have to limit themselves. Instead, they can head to Craft Beer Market for a chance to explore the city’s creative brewing scene. The richness of Tool Shed Brewing’s ‘Flat Cap Stout’, the hoppy goodness of Cold Garden’s ‘This Must Be the IPA’, the tartness of the ‘Dandy Wild Sour Ale’ and more — it’s all in one place. Plus, there’s always a rare seasonal on tap with the market’s Community Brew program that aims to raise money for a local cause.

Best for: Attendees who want to sample as much of Calgary’s brewing scene as possible

Distance: 11-minute walk from the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre