Where to Drink Gin in Calgary

Sample the best of this stylish spirit.

Some people love tequila, others prefer the nuances found in different kinds of rum. And then there are gin people, who love the bright, crisp burst of flavour it brings. Gin is experiencing a boom at the moment, and there are all kinds of interesting boutique gins to try so whether your preference is classic London dry, uniquely floral or botanically robust, however you shake it (or stir it), these are five great places in Calgary to sip on gin.

Cannibale

Bridgeland’s cocktail hot spot is always an ideal place for a few drinks whether you’re meeting some friends, going on a first date or looking to fly solo, saddled up to the bar. The Seaside, made with Plymouth gin, lemon, mint and celery bitters, is a refreshing way to start things off here.

813 1 Ave. N.E., 403-454-5808, cannibale.ca

The Derrick Kitchen and Gin Mill

With close to 90 bottles of gin behind the bar, The Derrick is undisputedly the best place in Calgary for gin fanatics. Of course, almost all of the custom cocktails centre around gin, but it’s most fun to go with the build-your-own-tonic. Pair any gin with any Porter’s Tonic (including Derrick’s own custom blend: dill and fennel) and soda.

620 8 Ave. S.W., 403-475-7226, thederrickyyc.com

Ox and Angela

Since gin and tonics are a very popular drink in Spain, it’s no surprise that this cocktail-focused establishment on 17th Avenue S.W. has a nice selection of this spirit on-hand. Sip on a robust gin like the barrel-aged Ransom Old Tom from Portland, served simply on the rocks with a twist of lemon, before the food starts arriving.

528 17 Ave. S.W., 403-457-1432, oxandangela.com

Proof

Proof doesn’t just have a lot of gin to offer patrons, it has a lot of everything. Don’t let the boozy bourbon cocktails or smoky mescal sway you, though. Stay the botanical course and stick with a unique gin concoction like Edge of Town, a mix of London dry gin, bonal, plum butter, bay leaf, cinnamon and lemon.

1302 1 St. S.W., 403-246-2414, proofyyc.com

Whitehall

When you think of Whitehall, you likely think of a place for a refined dinner experience. But high-end culinary compositions aside, the restaurant’s liquid passion lies in its growing gin collection. With more than 20 bottles of gin behind the bar, there are plenty of varieties to try in classic cocktails such as burnt martinis, or its eponymous cocktail, The Whitehall, made with Bulldog gin, Cointreau, egg white, coconut milk, milk, simple syrup and fresh lemon and lime.

24 4 St. N.E., 587-349-9008, whitehallrestaurant.com