When you’re walking around Calgary, you may well be struck by how youthful its citizens are. In fact, the average Calgarian is only 36 years old – making it the Canadian city with the youngest population. This is probably a big reason why there are so many fabulous places in Calgary to have a great night out. And, if cocktails are your thing then you’re going to have lots of fun trying to find the best in the city. We’ve got a few ideas of where you should start looking for the best cocktails in Calgary…

Model Milk is without a doubt one of Calgary’s best restaurants, and the ambiance is seriously cool, but their drinks are so good that many people head there just for their craft cocktails (theres a separate bar area at the front of the restaurant). The cocktail menu offers up original creations such as the Black Manhattan (Forty Creek Whisky, Averna Amero, Chocolate Bitters) or the Goodbye Horses (Buffalo Trace Bourbon, St Germaine, lemon juice, Gewurztraminer, bitters) as well as a number of reborn classics from the 20’s through to modern day, such as the Twentieth Century (Beefeater Gin, Cocchi Americano, Creme de Cacao, lemon) which they say was first mixed in 1935 (not there obviously, as although Model Milk is retro styled, it opened in 2011).

Christina Mah, head mixologist at Raw Bar at Hotel Arts is a local legend and just happens to be president of the Canadian Professional Bartender’s Association in Alberta. Consequently, the tipples that they serve up there definitely qualify for a spot in our list of the best cocktails in Calgary. The cocktail menu is broken up into Classics (martinis etc), Born Again Classics (such as a Chamomile Tea Sour or Aztec Julep), and Creative Juices, where things get really interesting. The Kentucky Cream Soda with Maker’s Mark Bourbon and house infused cardamon cream soda is amazing, as is their flagship cocktail, the Derelict which is made up of a spiced plum and clove jelly, Skyy Vodka, Soho Lychee Liquor, and lemon and pineapple juices. delicious!

Bar C offers up a small but perfectly formed cocktail list. Creative and cool drinks include the Cherry Bourbon, where cherries that have been vacuum packed with rosemary are thrown into a shaker with Buffalo Trace Bourbon to create something wonderfully delicious and unique, and the Long Ginger Dress, where you get Grey Goose Vodka with ginger syrup, lemon juice, and a “Coors banquet.” If you happen to be in town on a Tuesday, check out their Buck a Shuck oysters to take the night up a notch.

If you’re a lover of all that is organic and green, then the Coup + Meet is definitely worth checking out. Where else would you find drinks like this: A Sweet Pea Margarita made of pressed peas blended with citrus and elderflower liquors, plus your choice of pisco or tequila. Does that sound divine or just crazy? You’ll just have to order one to find out.

Staying in one of our stylish and fully-equipped Calgary Executive Suites puts you close to all the night-time action in Calgary, and close enough to get back easily should you go one cocktail too far!