For over a decade now, I have made it my business to explore Calgary, sussing out exclusive and elusive places to eat, drink (and party!) and sharing my findings through my social platforms @immrfabulous. Now, I’m here to spill the tea on some of these spaces — in a story that doesn’t disappear in 24 hours — so we can all enjoy the city together, VIP style!
Nova Lounge
Last year, Concorde Entertainment Group did an extensive (and expensive) renovation to National on 10th, adding a handful of new interior spaces that were designed to impress. Located next to the weekend dance floor area, the new Nova Lounge is a vibey space laid out with mid-century modern soft seating (it feels very Vegas-nightclub).
The lounge comes with a private server and has curtained glass walls that can be opened if you want to be part of the action or closed to keep things more exclusive. Nova Lounge also has potential to be an unconventional space for a meeting, as it is equipped with three sleek TV screens that could be used for showcasing presentations.
Outside of the Nova Lounge, National on 10th has an expansive rooftop patio, a below-ground 10-pin bowling alley, two private karaoke rooms that can accommodate between 10 to 15 guests and the upper-level Bourbon Room (its claim to fame is being named one of the “Top International Bourbon Bars” by The Bourbon Review back in 2015), where the low-lit, moody lighting makes it a great location with make-out potential.
How to get access: For information or bookings for the Nova Lounge or other spaces at National on 10th, email info10th@ntnl.ca.
Where it’s at: 341 10 Ave. S.W.
Model Citizen
Ever noticed the unassuming wooden door with a chalkboard finish beside Model Milk restaurant on 17th Avenue S.W.? This is Model Citizen, a private-bookings-only venue space under the umbrella of Concorde Entertainment Group that plays host to two of Calgary’s most unique pop-ups: Rough Draft and Model Citizen Kane.
Rough Draft has an ethos of “never a set format, always changing,” inviting notable local and cross-Canada chefs to test new dishes and experiment with different formats of service. Model Citizen Kane, on the other hand, takes the idea of “dinner-and-a-movie” to a new level. The monthly events, built around a film screening, are hosted by hospitality pros from the Concorde family and feature curiously named snacks and confections, and creative libations that are often named after characters from the movie.
How to get access: To snag tickets to the limited-seating events, follow the @modelmilk account on Instagram and hope you’re one of the first to see the announcements every four to six weeks, or subscribe to the newsletter through modelmilk.ca/model-citizen. Model Citizen is also available for private bookings. Contact events@modelmilk.ca.
Where it’s at: 300 17 Ave. S.W.
Butcherina
Get ready to fangirl or boy out over local celeb chefs Connie DeSousa and John Jackson at Butcherina. The name is a portmanteau that references both chefs being professional butchers, and DeSousa being also a formally trained ballerina.
The duo’s new VIP dining concept is discreetly hidden in the back of their new CHARCUT restaurant location in University District’s Alt Hotel. Butcherina is an interactive experience: You’ll begin your evening in the private kitchen, snacking and socializing with the chefs, moving from there to a 14-person table before a glass wall. Then, the show begins. Watch as proteins dance through the air from cooler-to-kitchen on a hook-and-rail system to be butchered and prepared with culinary flair and served at the multi-course dinner.
For each of these high-energy kitchen parties, DeSousa and Jackson donate a portion of the night’s proceeds to their CHAR Hospitality Fund, which addresses equity in the hospitality industry by creating opportunities for people in poverty to enter the culinary world and ensuring accessible healthy food for children in underserved communities.
How to get access: Reach out by email to info@charcut.com.
Where it’s at: 4150 University Ave. N.W.
The Prairie Emporium
The coming together of Jenn Kwan from motorcycle customization shop Ill-Fated Kustoms and Dan Clapson, noted food writer and co-author of the Prairie cookbook, resulted in a bit of venue alchemy known as The Prairie Emporium. Clapson presents a recurring music series at the Emporium called the Blue Jay Sessions, bringing together seasoned and up-and-coming artists to perform in a singer/songwriter’s circle where they play hits, workshop new music and share stories from their lives. His work with the Blue Jay Sessions led to Clapson being named Talent Buyer of the Year at the 11th annual Country Music Alberta Awards in 2022 and Industry Person of the Year at the 2024 YYC Music Awards.
Other unique Emporium events include Prasátko (“piggy” in Czech), a dinner series centred around the flavours and dining traditions of Czech food, and Clapson’s Sashay, Fillet! events, which are some of the most iconic drag bunches this city has ever seen. This past Stampede, Prairie Emporium also hosted Dolly Fest, a showcase of musical acts covering and paying homage to Dolly Parton.
Those with their own wild ideas can rent out The Prairie Emporium — the vintage decor and original art provides a unique, shabby-chic setting. The space comes complete with bar staff and has space for 50 to 75 comfortably.
How to get access: For details on upcoming events and booking info, visit theprairieemporium.com.
Where it’s at: 334 53 Ave. S.E., Bay 300. –Ryan Massel
Speakeasy Does It
For those looking for more than a place to just grab a drink, Calgary has a number of semi-secret speakeasies and tucked-away lounges that give you that VIP feeling just by walking in the door. Here are some to check out.
Shelter Cocktail Bar
If HBO’s hit show The Last of Us were to be reimagined into an upscale bar, it might look something like Shelter. Velvet seating and marble tables are juxtaposed with graffiti-style artwork, a jaw-dropping ceiling installation made from 5,000 lightbulbs (some dead, some lit), and apocalyptic decor fixtures made from gas masks and sandbags. Open 5 p.m. to late, Tuesday to Saturday; 7 p.m. to late on Sundays.
Where it’s at: 1210 1 St. S.W., shelteryyc.com, @shelter.yyc
Standing Room Only
This chic and modern lounge at Fortuna’s Row is a high-ceilinged space with plush furniture, Latin American-inspired fixtures and soft lighting — the kind of space that invites conversations with new acquaintances. Open Fridays and Saturdays after 5 p.m.
Where it’s at: 412 Riverfront Ave. S.E., fortunasrow.com, @fortunas.row
Fleetwood Lounge
Named after the iconic 1933 Caddy on display in the lobby area, the interior of this lounge at the base of The Oliver tower on 10th Avenue S.W. is appropriately classic. With an abundance of soft seating, vintage-modern decor and art deco chandeliers, you’ll wonder if you’ve been teleported to a VIP table inside one of the classic NYC skyscrapers (that goes double if you book the room for a private dining experience). Open late afternoons, seven days a week.
Where it’s at: 524 10 Ave. S.W., fleetwoodlounge.com, @fleetwoodlounge
Prickett Richard
Located in the underbelly of Comery Block on 17th Avenue S.W., Prickett Richard’s low ceilings, wooden support beams, brick archways and dim lighting epitomizes “secret underground bar.” Open evenings, six days a week.
Where it’s at: 1B, 638 17 Ave. S.W., prickettrichard.com, @prickettrichardyyc
Untitled Champagne Lounge
Once awarded spot No. 50 on the list of Canada’s 100 Best bars (2020 edition), Untitled is still going strong, offering an expansive selection of Champagnes and sparkling wines to fit any budget and recurring listening parties and DJ sets. Open Thursday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to late.
Where it’s at: 620 8 Ave. S.W., untitledyyc.com, @untitledyyc –Ryan Massel
Stampede like a VIP at Ranahans
Getting invited to Ranahans during Stampede can have you feeling like you’ve just won the Blue Ribbon. Opened in 2001 and accessed by private elevator, Ranahans is a premium dining club that operates over the 10 days of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. (In cowboy-speak, ranahans are “top hands.”) Patrons get a fine-dining experience followed by access to an exclusive outdoor seating deck with in-seat beverage service to watch the Stampede Rodeo or Rangeland Derby. Those who purchase five or more tickets to Ranahans receive a Member Club card, which offers privileges such as complimentary Stampede Park admission for up to five guests and lounge access at any time.
Ranahans has welcomed a long list of notable guests over the years — and you probably haven’t heard much about them as one of the tenets of Ranahans is that the guestlist is treated with the utmost discretion. If you’re truly a high roller, you can book a private dining room, the Wine Room, or the Al Fresco Balcony for more than eight guests. Ranahans also includes a “Cowboy Concierge” service and event-planning support. If you get the invitation, make sure you’re properly dressed — attire guidelines are available if you’re wondering what that entails.
How to get access: For info on 2025 Ranahans ticket sales, connect with Cheryl Harris at charris@calgarystampede.com or Jill Reeves at jreeves@calgarystampede.com. –Ryan Massel
Dine Your way In
These exclusive speakeasies are on the menu if you’re all-in for dinner.
After EIGHT
At EIGHT restaurant, guests explore the Canadian culinary identity through a multi-course (as many as 18!) dining experience curated by internationally renowned chef Darren MacLean and his team. You’ll need luck on your side to eat at EIGHT — with just eight seats per dinner service, securing a booking is more like getting tickets to a hot concert than making a restaurant reservation.
Now, the adventure includes a new experience: accessed through a hidden door, after EIGHT is an exclusive “parlour” for EIGHT patrons to enjoy before and after the main event. Pre-dinner guests are treated to amuses while they enjoy a welcome cocktail, glass of Champagne or whisky selection, while post-dinner guests can relax at their leisure while enjoying a nightcap and petit fours. With just eight seats, it’s a premium cocktail bar experience befitting our city’s most exclusive restaurant.
How to get access: New menu concepts and bookings are released seasonally on eightcdn.ca (join the mailing list if you’d like notifications when they come available). While fall 2024 and holiday-season seatings are full, bookings for January, February and March 2025 will be released Nov. 15 at noon.
Where it’s at: 631 Confluence Way S.E.
Heavily Redacted
Another exclusive hangout can be found underneath FinePrint restaurant on Stephen Avenue. Heavily Redacted (HR) is FinePrint’s invitation-only speakeasy-style space. Like FinePrint, the name references the building’s historic roots as the original offices of the Calgary Herald (however, in this case, it’s a cheeky reference to the process of excluding incriminating information).
If you’re a regular at FinePrint, there’s a good chance you’ve been down there by now — the house will often extend HR invitations to dining clientele. HR is also a private-event venue, and has hosted birthday parties, retirement gatherings, engagement parties and even a film-release party.
The intimate and moody space and the no-photography-permitted policy means those with public personas (patrons have included pro athletes and celebrities from film and TV, top comics, musicians and billionaires) can kick back and feel at ease.
How to get access: Apply for an invitation via a secure online portal accessed from the FinePrint site (fineprintyyc.com) by typing in the right interactive keys on a virtual typewriter. Those selected are notified through text or email and sent an invitation for a time slot. From there, the next step is getting invited back and eventually added to the HR VIP list.
Where it’s at: 113 8 Ave. S.W. (basement). –Shelley Arnusch
