Bars near the Saddledome in Calgary

If you’re going to a Calgary Flames game or a concert at the Saddledome, and you want to grab a drink with your friends before or after the event, there are plenty of watering holes in the surrounding area. Whether you’re winding up or winding down, these venues are suitably spots for camaraderie and good cheer. Check venue hours for closing times.

By Kallen Law

Vagabond

1

1129 Olympic Way SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0L4

• Phone Number
  • 403-454-6670Primary
• Directions
• Menu

An industrial-chic restaurant and lounge, Vagabond serves pub-style appetizers, pasta, pizza, sandwiches and burgers as well as a lengthy list of standard-fare suds and craft beers. These even include the establishment’s own brews Vagabond Red and Vagabond Chuck Lager. Its cocktail list is likewise loaded and features several beer-cider concoctions. Located right outside of the Stampede grounds, the place is hard to miss.

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Sunterra Market

2

200 12 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0Z7

• Phone Number
  • 403-261-6772Primary
• Directions

A lounge with a fantastic city view, MARKETbar is located on the third floor of specialty grocer Sunterra Market Keynote. The bar’s Canadian-cuisine food is particularly good, and features thin-crust pizzas, a mean Guinness bison burger, cheese and charcuterie boards, salads and more. The lounge’s liquor menu includes a wide variety of Canadian and international wines, locally brewed beer as well as a vodka-heavy martini selection and house-recipe cocktails.

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Drum & Monkey & Bamboo Lounge

3

1201 1 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0V3

• Phone Number
  • 403-261-6674Primary
• Directions
• Menu

The Drum & Monkey is cozy and casual, a British pub that is a perfect Guinness-sipping pre-game or concert destination and a sociable place in which to wind down afterwards. Held in the adjacent Bamboo Tiki Room on Tuesday nights, Dub At The Pub is one of Calgary’s most popular DJ nights.

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Hi Fi Club

4

219 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0A4

• Phone Number
  • 403-263-5222Primary
• Directions

After the game, if you want to dance to the hottest DJs or alternative bands, head to The Hifi Club. This venue has featured performers from local singer-songwriter legend Chad VanGaalen to dubstep hero Steve Aoki. Be sure to visit on Thursday nights, when the Smalltown DJs present Hai Karate, featuring a roster of fresh DJ talent, and Sunday nights, when DJ Rice spins the best in deep house.

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Proof Cocktail Bar

5

1302 1 St Sw, Calgary, AB T2R 0V7

• Phone Number
  • 403-246-2414Primary
• Directions

This First Street Southwest cocktail bar is run by the people behind Vine Arts Wine & Spirits, and Proof’s cocktails are just as well selected as the shop’s wines. With 300 cocktail-mixable spirits available, there’s no stumping the bartender. In the glow of its towering backbar, also enjoy a tidy and changing menu of small-plate dishes.

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Hop In Brew Pub

6

213 12 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0G9

• Phone Number
  • 403-266-2595Primary
• Directions

Visiting the Hop In Brew is like attending a low-key house party, which is appropriate, considering this two-storey pub was formerly a residential home. It is a perfect place to have a conversation with friends or even meet new ones. A tip: Don’t leave without trying a selection from the pizza menu.

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More from Kallen Law

Kallen Law is a freelance writer based in Calgary. In his spare time, he likes to watch movies, play board games and go to the occasional live music performance. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram, where his adventures are much more interesting than this biography implies.

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