Burwood Distillery are celebrating 10 years, and the passing of the Alberta Whisky Act by breaking ground on their Whisky Trail Experience Centre at the historic D4 Stables in Calgary’s Currie Barracks. Expected to open early 2027, the Centre will certainly help put Alberta whisky on the global stage!
Congratulations to Eight, placing #2 on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list! An incredible achievement, Darren MacLean’s Calgary restaurant was also named Best Restaurant in Western Canada and took the Highest New Entry Award. eightcdn.ca
Finally! Felina’s speakeasy is open upstairs above the taproom at Tailgunner Brewing. It’s been a while coming, but we’re happy as there are so many requests for events downstairs, and now there’s a private space, completely soundproofed, for 40-ish people to meet, eat from the brilliant, small sharing snack menu from Acme Pizza (downstairs taproom menu available too!), and enjoy excellent cocktails, wine, and beer, with soulful house lounge music. 1602 10th Avenue SW, Calgary. Thursday-Saturday, 5pm-late, tailgunnerbrewing.ca
Vaycay Brew Co. has opened its second-floor lounge in Calgary’s Marda Loop, above their taproom. With old school music and a tropical vibe, this lounge-meets-pub (there are two dartboards) has a cocktail bar, comfy couches, and a Chef’s Bar with fresh food (tuna nachos are here!). It’s perfect for events too, with the half sun/half shade sheltered patio, and outdoor games. Cocktail-forward, with 20 taps (beers from Vaycay’s friends too) and non-alcs, boxed lunches outside and plated meals inside. 2248 33 Avenue SW, vaycaybrew.co
La Mesa is Edmonton's newest Filipino restaurant, in the former Agora Greek Market space at 4620 99 Street NW. Chefs Benji, Czar, and Garry, are creating an elevated Filipino-inspired menu with Spanish influences in an elegant, candlelit setting with dark wood walls and a beautiful bar. A perfect spot for date night or a special evening out. Seven days, Sundays only for events. lamesarestaurant.ca
Romero Distilling has opened an intimate lounge and cocktail bar inside the Calgary distillery at 688 Heritage Drive SE, with an elevated prohibition-era cocktail menu and an elevated food menu of shareable plates and handhelds to match. A full bar with wine and beer too! Tuesday-Saturday 10am-close, romerolounge.ca
Edmontonians - get your fix of gourmet marshmallows and s'mores at Marshy Mallows, 8115 Gateway Boulevard. Handmade marshmallows come in clever collections such as the Garden Party Collection and the Little Luxuries Basket, or pick up individual marshmallows to try all the unique flavours. Perfect for gifting or simply treating yourself! marshymallows.ca
Downtown Edmonton is now home to Solar, a new breakfast and lunch spot from the folks behind Cask and Barrel and Rocky Mountain Icehouse. The space is bright and welcoming, as perfect for a relaxed brunch with friends as a quick stop for coffee before work. 10357 Jasper Avenue. solarbrunch.ca
Alberta - get your appetites ready! Taste of Edmonton is July 16–26 at Sir Winston Churchill Square, and Taste of Calgary, July 30–August 3 at Cowboys Park. Download maps and menus to see the list of vendors and what they're serving! tasteofedmonton.com, tasteofcalgary.com
Another hit from Calgary’s Block Hospitality! As Kensington’s Hayden Block celebrates 10 years, they’ve opened Stable Palms Club down the street at 1153 Kensington Crescent NW, totally (and beautifully) refurbished from the former Freehouse, a mammoth task by Way of Normal interior designers. A similar feel to their Blue Rock Swim Club, this was originally a stable eons ago, and now it has Cali cocktail bar vibes and steady hands behind the central sunken bar… There’s a huge list of cocktails (try the signature, Pickle Martini!) and they’ll also they’ll create cocktails to your preference, sweet, spicy, savoury, and non-alcs! Chef Jordan Mayo’s menu has so many choices – and we’ve discovered they’re all unmissable! With a wood burning pizza oven and grill, a raw menu, pizzetta and pastas, and a crazy good, local, half wagyu burger (face down in an incredible jus!) that comes with fries and sake aioli (!). There are many different areas with high and low seatings, and a small semi-private dining room. Watch out - they’re opening for lunch and the patio’s open too! Seven days, stablepalmsclub.com
Calgary’s Dorian Hotel is host to The Magic Table, a new 3D, immersive dining experience that is so clever, you’ll be totally enthralled! It’s excellent entertainment, with a superb five-course meal (with exemplary cooked steak!) that we enjoyed as much as the show (veggie and kids’ menus offered too). Get the pairing or share it, and take lots of photos – there’s a magic wand and hat too. A wonderful evening out; dinner and a show, and you can still talk to your dining partner. 525 5 Avenue SW, Thursday-Sunday, themagictable.com