Spring is a time for renewal. And it's only natural that the city's best cocktail spots launch their warm-weather drink menus with flair befitting this sunshiny season. Sip light and lovely selections at the following venues, which happen to serve the craftiest of beers and cocktails year round.
Along with its sociable, antique-dairy setting and unique Canadian cuisine, Model Milk offers a fun and carefully concocted cocktail menu. Half of the drink list consists of cocktails unique to Model Milk such as the house gin and tonic. The other half features lesser-known classic cocktails such as the bourbon-based Meat.
The granddaddy of Calgary brewpubs, Bottlescrew Bill’s is legendary for its Around the World in 80 Beers passport. Not to mention its bottled beer menu, which features more than 300 international labels. You don’t have to be a beer aficionado to drink here, but you may well become one if you do.
This is one of two restaurants in Hotel Arts. 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. Familiar names include the good ol’ martini, the French 75 and a build-your-own Old Fashioned. Highly recommended newfangled sips include the Asian-inspired Blossom Cooler.
Along with its sociable, antique-dairy setting and unique Canadian cuisine, Model Milk offers a fun and carefully concocted cocktail menu. Half of the drink list consists of cocktails unique to Model Milk such as the house gin and tonic. The other half features lesser-known classic cocktails such as the bourbon-based Meat.
Central to this quick-growing local bar and restaurant chain’s mystique is its selection of cool craft beers. Pair your lager, ale, weizen or stout with shareable selections from its contemporary pub menu. When visiting National on 10th, also pair with bowling in the establishment’s basement lanes.
The 24-tap lineup at Beer Revolution changes on a regular basis. Follow (and sample) along with this craft beer parade on Beer Revolution’s electronic display boards. Beer explorers take note: a single new and unique custom-made cask is cracked Fridays at 5 pm, at which time it’s enthusiastically appreciated until it’s gone.
This Stephen Avenue retreat is located next door to the rustically chic Thomsons Restaurant in the downtown Hyatt Regency. The 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.
Judging by the forest of tap-handles decorating this downtown brewpub’s central bar, its boast of serving the country’s largest draft beer selection looks about right. The place even features a craft beer club. On their way to sampling Craft’s 100 drafts, members enjoy plenty of beer-based privileges such as drink discounts and access to custom-brewed local beers.