Best Mocktail Bars in Calgary: Your 2023 Guide

Calgary, Alberta, is embracing a vibrant and evolving mocktail scene, catering to the rising trend of reducing or eliminating alcohol intake. Restaurants across the city are elevating their non-alcoholic offerings, providing a standout experience for those seeking refreshing alternatives. Calgary's mocktail menus are diverse, offering ready-to-drink options by the glass or the opportunity to savor creative bespoke mocktail concoctions. These mocktails are far from an afterthought; they're carefully crafted, bursting with flavors, and meticulously presented. As more people opt for healthier lifestyle choices, Calgary's commitment to non-alcoholic excellence in its culinary scene reflects a growing demand for sophisticated, alcohol-free dining experiences and just may be setting the bar for the rest of Canada!

Table of Contents: Best Mocktails In Calgary

1. Sorella

2. Luca

3. SHELTER

4. Lonely Mouth

5. The Coup

6. Annabelle’s Kitchen

7. Posto

8. The Guild

9. Hawthorn

10. Kama

Sorella

Address: 1036 Centre Street North, Calgary, T2E 2P9
Social: @sorellatrattoria

Sorella prides itself on providing a warm Italian atmosphere that is welcoming to all. The name signifies inclusivity, and guests are treated as part of an extended family. Their menu boasts traditional dishes infused with creativity and emphasized top quality ingredients. The offerings are meant for sharing, emphasizing seasonality and freshness. The wine selection and cocktail menu reflect their deep love for the sweet life (la dolce vita) and that extends to their creative bespoke.non-alcoholic offerings.

Must Try Mocktails

Two unique mocktails are on offer - the Sorellina, which features non-alcoholic spirit, cherry, thyme and lime, and the Fratellino, with a spicy blendy of non-alcoholic gin, ginger beer, lemon and rosemary. Not feeling cocktails? No worries - you can sip on an alcohol free Peroni for a taste of Italy in beer form.

Luca

Address: 524 10th Ave SW, Calgary, T2R 1L1
Social: @lucayyc

Luca Restaurant stands out with its innovative and welcoming approach. The menu showcases exquisite Italian cuisine, prepared meticulously using freshly sourced ingredients from Italy. With an elegant, upscale ambiance, Luca provides the perfect setting for gatherings with loved ones or impressing clients. Their commitment to crafting authentic dishes from scratch elevates the dining experience, making Luca a destination for those seeking originality and sophistication.

Must Try Mocktails

Luca offers a truly impressive mocktail menu, with elevated options for every taste. Feel like a classic cocktail in non-alcoholic form? Try their zero-proof twist on the gimlet, old-fashoined, or sour, featuring non-alcoholic gin or whiskey. Or go for one of the unique and creative mocktails such as the Smoked Rosemary Lemonade (this one also contained non-alcoholic gin, but we’re more intrigued by the addition of smoke lemon juice) or the Summer Berry Fizz, blending sweetness and citrus with a sharp touch of ginger beer.

SHELTER

Address: 1210 1st Street SW, Calgary T2R 0V4
Social: @shelter.yyc

SHELTER, a unique Calgary destination, offers an immersive experience for visitors seeking an escape from the chaos of everyday life. The food menu showcases small bites and sharing plates, sourced locally and globally, catering to diverse dietary preferences. SHELTER's intimate setting features striking design elements, including a wall adorned with gas masks and a stunning light fixture with over 5,000 individually hung bulbs. It's a refuge offering a curated culinary and cocktail journey. They extend this spirit through their “non-toxic” menu, which is a welcome treat for the sober curious.

Must Try Mocktails

Their alcohol-free cocktail menu offers two beautifully-crafted options, both using Sobreo non-alcohol spirit. Blending earthy rich spices with cirtrusy and sweet flavours, Mocktail No 1 combines star anise with grapefruit, which Mocktail No 2 brings mango and cardamon together for a tempting treat. Our mouths are watering!

Lonely Mouth

Address: 528 17th Ave. S.W., Calgary T2S 0B1
Social: @lonelymouthbar

Nestled in the vibrant epicenter of Calgary's 17th Avenue dining district, Lonely Mouth is a Japanese-inspired gem in Calgary. This trendy establishment offers an extensive array of Modern Japanese culinary creations and libations. From their meticulously hand-pulled, in-house udon noodles to their carefully curated sake selection and inventive cocktails, Lonely Mouth brings both artistry and expertise behind every dish and drink. Lonely Mouth's fusion of flavors promises a delightful journey for those seeking a taste of contemporary Japanese cuisine and beverages.

Must Try Mocktails

Although they don’t have a large array of custom mocktails, we were still impressed with their menus breadth of non-alcoholic options. It’s still rare to see non-alcoholic wines featured on restaurant menus, but Lonely Mouth offers two: Sovi’s Sparkling Rose and Sparkling White. Additionally, you can sip on an Asahi 0.0 super dry or a Collective Arts Botanical Soda. Need a mixed option? Try their handmade lime soda for a refreshing zero-proof sip.

The Coup

Address: 924 17th Ave SW, Calgary T2T 0A2
Social: @distillerie

The Coup, established in 2004 in Calgary's Beltline, is a vegetarian haven that emphasizes ethical sourcing and robust flavors. Their diverse menu showcases locally sourced ingredients, redefining plant-based dining with nourishing dishes. Beyond exceptional cuisine, The Coup champions ethical practices, employing compostable packaging and sustainable systems. Their hospitality philosophy revolves around warmth, attentiveness, and authenticity, ensuring guests feel at home. They prioritize local sourcing, celebrating community connections and the remarkable flavors found close by. The Coup's commitment to ethical dining transforms vegetables into artful creations, creating a sustainable, satisfying culinary experience.

Must Try Mocktails

The Coup’s non-alcoholic drinks menu is another example of “small but mighty”. Another restaurant pioneering the addition of non-alcoholic wines on their menu, Sovi non-alcoholic Sparkling White is on offer. The sober curious customer has an option of enjoying this option by the glass, or in an alcohol-free mocktail version of the Aperol Spritz, with the addition of Wilfred’s Bitter Orange and Rosemary Apertif. Cin cin!

Annabelle’s Kitchen

Address: Multiple locations in Calgary. Downtown location: 111 8 Ave SW Calgary, AB T2P 1B4
Social: @annabelleskitchen.dt

Nestled in a charming space with a clean yet cozy aesthetic, Annabelle's Kitchen warmly invites guests to savor the essence of modern Italian cuisine. This 'neighbourhood' restaurant pays loving homage to its Italian roots, bringing cherished family recipes to the table. From the classic pasta dishes to mouthwatering antipasti and artisanal pizzas, each creation is meticulously crafted from scratch using the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. Annabelle's Kitchen offers a well-curated selection of drinks, including non-alcoholic options, to complement the culinary journey, ensuring a delightful and authentic Italian dining experience. With three locations in Calgary, each with slightly unique menus, we explored their downtown offering.

Must Try Mocktails

The selection here is truly impressive. High quality alcohol-free wine options like Oddbird’s Spumante and Noughty Sparkling Chadonnay caught our eye immediately. The mocktail selection features Undone’s Not Gin, Not Vermouth and Not Bitters options. The one we’re most keen to try? It’s a toss-up between the Phony Negroni (a mix of all three Undone options) and the Phony Spritz, with Undone Vermouth, Oddbird, lime and mint. The mocktail menu does vary by location, so be sure to check before you go - but there are excellent options at all locations.

Posto

Address: 1014 8 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0B4
Social: @postocalgary

Pizza lovers, this one's for you! With a relaxed vibe and menu to match, Posto crafts exceptional pizzas using the finest locally sourced ingredients. Their menu is designed for sharing and served as soon as it's ready for a piping hot and fresh bite. Posto offers an extensive selection of appetizers, pizzas, pasta, and more, all within the cozy, rustic ambiance of their dining room. Posto says their customer’s favourites include the potato, leek, cultured cream, and smoked pancetta pizza, but every option looks appealing. And for those who crave a late-night bite, you're in luck – all pizzas are half price during the final hour of business.

Must Try Mocktails

Posto's non-alcoholic drinks menu offers a variety of options to suit different tastes. From the Negroni and Vermouth Spritz made with Wildfolk Botanicals to the enticing peach "nojito," there's a mocktail for everyone. For a simpler choice, enjoy craft sodas or the classic zero-alcohol option, Heineken 0.0%. With just a few selections, Posto caters to a range of preferences, ensuring everyone can indulge in a refreshing beverage without the booze.

The Guild

Address: 200 8 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1B5
Social: @theguildcalgary

Situated within the historic Hudson’s Bay building in downtown Calgary, The Guild offers an all-day dining experience, beverages, and exclusive event hosting. Spanning two floors and boasting one of the city's most expansive patios, The Guild pays homage to the guildhalls of yesteryears, where artists and merchants congregated. The menu proudly celebrates local beef, game, and fowl, employing traditional wood and coal cooking methods. Operated by Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality, renowned for unique concepts like Canoe, Jump, and Auberge du Pommier, The Guild ensures high-quality dining. Notably, founder Michael Bonacini is a judge on CTV’s MasterChef Canada.

Must Try Mocktails

There are a couple of creative and flavourful non-alcoholic mocktails featured on the Guild’s menu. The Lavendar Lemonade is a refreshing blend of lavender, hibiscus and lemon, sweetened with simple syrup, which the Strawberry No-jito is a truly unique twist on the classic mojito cocktail, blending the sweetness of strawberries with the heat of bellfire bitters (a spicy shrub). Worth mentioning is the availability of Seedlip - the Spice 94, Garden 108 and Grove 42. While not our favourite spirit alternative, Seedlip’s popularity means it’s a welcome option for fans of their products.

Hawthorn

Address: 133 9 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 2M3
Social: @hawthorndiningroom

Hawthorn draws inspiration from Alberta's abundant land and expansive scenery to offer a contemporary Canadian cuisine experience. It redefines Calgary's culinary scene with a focus on family-style dining. The menu showcases dishes inspired by the province's diverse landscape, emphasizing collaboration with local farmers and suppliers to ensure the highest quality ingredients sourced from Alberta. The restaurant's ambiance blends historical elements with a forward-looking perspective, creating an environment that discerning dinners will appreciate being a part of.

Must Try Mocktails

Hawthorn’s mocktail menu has plenty of options. If you love classic cocktails with a non-alcoholic twist, you’ll be drawn to the Virgin Caesar which features Hawthorn’s signature Caesar mix, or the Virgin Mojito, with fruity options like passionfruit, raspberry and strawberry. Looking for something a little more unique? The menu features several distinct mocktails, from the Apple Smoke Grey, which includes apple juice, Earl Grey syrup, lime, cucumber and ginger beer, to the tart and sweet Care Bear, with cranberry juice, hibiscus-lemograss syrup, lime and elderflower tonic.

Kama

Address: 211 11 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0C6
Social: @kamayyc

Kama embraces Mediterranean tradition and ingredients in a modern-rustic menu. It combines familiar and exotic elements with refined techniques. The restaurant offers both classic and original dishes influenced by the Mediterranean. Private events at Kama promise memorable experiences with fresh, seasonal ingredients, inventive menus, and cocktails. The venue provides a warm, relaxed atmosphere for gatherings, making it a reliable choice for special occasions. The decor is both modern and moody, creating an enticing atmosphere for diners.

Must Try Mocktails

Kama is yet another Calgary restaurant featuring non-alcoholic wine options on their menu, in this case Benjamin Bridge Piquette Zero Wine Style Beverage. But if you’re a cocktail lover, it’s their truly exquisite, multi-faceted mocktail options that will have your mouth watering. For example, the Late Check-Out features mango, apple, agave, black tea, Padron pepper, black pepper, ginger, turmeric, lime, salt, and espelette chili - the level of detail and creativity is truly impressive.

Conclusion and Further Exploration

Calgary, Alberta, is at the forefront of the trend toward reduced alcohol intake, boasting a vibrant mocktail scene. As more people seek alcohol-free alternatives, Calgary's restaurants have responded in force by offering a diverse range of tantalizing mocktail options. Whether you're in the mood for classic non-alcoholic cocktails or innovative bespoke creations, these Calgary establishments have you covered. They’re setting a new standard for alcohol-free dining experiences and are worth exploring when you visit the city. So, next time you're in town, be sure to check out these restaurants and savor their exceptional mocktails.