An intimate, ultra-exclusive 8-seat speakeasy cocktail bar located in Calgary's East Village ALT Hotel, known for its blend of Japanese precision and Western hospitality in cocktail crafting.
Chef Darren MacLean is a celebrated Canadian chef and restaurateur, known for his innovative approach to Japanese and Canadian cuisine. He is the owner of multiple critically acclaimed restaurants in Calgary,...
After Eight is an intimate, ultra-exclusive 8-seat speakeasy located within the ALT Hotel Calgary East Village. It offers a unique blend of Japanese precision and Western hospitality, focusing on meticulously crafted cocktails. Guests access the hidden bar by walking through NUPO restaurant and finding a discreet door or dialing #8 on a lobby phone, creating an immersive and exclusive experience.
Customer Perception
Customers consistently praise After Eight as one of Calgary's best cocktail bars, highlighting the exceptional experience, knowledgeable staff (especially Randy, the mixologist), and the passion evident in the drink preparation. The intimate, speakeasy ambiance with its luxurious decor (10K gold gilded vaulted ceilings) is highly appreciated. Some minor criticisms include a strict no-photography policy and occasional reservation issues due to guests from the connected EIGHT restaurant extending their stay.
Additional Details
After Eight is an extension of the acclaimed 'EIGHT' restaurant concept, both located within the ALT Hotel Calgary East Village. It's designed as a 'parlour style speakeasy' where guests begin their immersive journey before potentially moving to the dining counter of EIGHT. The bar features minimalist Japanese design, cherry adobo wood, and hand-blown Kimura stemware.
After Eight operates Wednesday from 6 PM to 11 PM, and Thursday to Sunday from 7 PM to 9 PM and 10 PM to 2 AM. Given its intimate 8-seat capacity and exclusive nature, booking weeks in advance is highly recommended to secure a spot.
Decided to check this place out for our 1 week wedding anniversary. Amazing place, excellent cocktails. Want to give a shoutout to Randy. Kept everyone engaged and was actually interested in listening to what everyone had to say. Very informative on the drinks as well. 10/10 definitely coming back here
5
WOW! Talk about an experience! First off getting into the room has that speakeasy aspect, but actually feels special with only 8 seats. Randy is an incredible host and takes you through what he does to make eveey aspect of your drink special, from going out foraging and making syrups for 12+ hours to get only 4 ounces worth. We could feel the passion and love and expertise in every sip we took. Randy might honestly be one of the best mixologist's on the planet. We had 4 of us had booked weeks in advance so we were looking forward to this, but the experience went far beyond our expectations. He took us through his experiences and influences and I don't think it could come together any better. I mentioned my wife and I are heading to Ireland soon and he brought over the sous chef from Eight who gave us tons of recommendations! Thank you again for a special evening, can't wait to go back!
5
This is hands down the best cocktail bar in all of Calgary.
My partner and I decided to give afterEIGHT a try for our date night yesterday and we were absolutely blown away by the experience.
From the moment they came to get us from the lobby, the staff was incredibly pleasant and kind. Edris led us in and made us feel really comfortable from the get go!
Randy was very knowledgeable and clearly takes great pride in his craft, and took the time to explain the menu to us. We went with his recommendations and the smoky maple cocktail he made for me may have been the best cocktail I’ve ever had. He also let me know that their cocktails containing eggs could be made vegan using an alternative foamer, which was great!
We wish we knew about this place sooner and will absolutely be coming back!
4
Atmosphere: 8/10
Located in Calgary’s East Village, afterEIGHT is a hidden speakeasy tucked behind the EIGHT restaurant inside the Alt Hotel. Entry involves finding a discreet phone and dialing “8” to be escorted into an intimate, eight-seat bar. The space features 15-foot vaulted ceilings adorned with 10-karat gold leaf, creating a warm and ethereal ambiance. The minimalist design, cherry adobo wood bar, and hand-blown Kimura stemware contribute to a refined setting. The atmosphere is serene, with music at a comfortable volume that complements the intimate vibe. The backbar is minimal, with a small selection of higher-tier spirits and some pre-batched ingredients — fitting the tight concept, but worth noting.
Drinks: 7.5/10
Recommendation: –
The menu is thoughtfully curated, presented in a minimalist Japanese-inspired style. While the selection showcases creative recipes and ingredients, the descriptions focus more on storytelling, making it challenging to discern the exact flavors and components of each cocktail. Drinks are measured by weight, reflecting meticulous Japanese craftsmanship. Served in high-quality glassware with nice coasters, the presentation is basic and garnishes are not used. Afterlife #2, an inventive take on the Corpse Reviver #2, showed creativity but leaned heavily on sour notes — the flavor felt unbalanced and slightly overpowering.
Service: 6/10
The staff is professional and friendly, providing attentive service throughout the experience. However, no water was offered upon arrival, which is a notable oversight. The bar also enforces a strict no-photography policy, a rule inherited from the EIGHT restaurant. While the intention is to maintain an immersive atmosphere, this restriction feels outdated and unnecessarily limits guests’ ability to capture and share their experience. In a bar setting, where the dynamics differ from a multi-course dining experience, such a rule feels misplaced and detracts from the overall enjoyment.
