17th Ave SW Neighbourhood Guide

17th Ave SW is well-known as Calgary’s entertainment district. Night or day, it’s where people gather to celebrate and connect. The stretch from 1st St to 14th St SW is packed with colourful murals, hidden speakeasy cocktail bars, boutique shops, and many of the top restaurants Calgary has to offer.

17th is home to a diversity of flavours and dining styles. If you’ve never had Ethiopian swing by Habesha. Want to try Nepalese food? Head to Sherpa Kitchen and Bar. Or stick to a 17th Ave classic with a contemporary standby like The Living Room.

 Brunch, lunch, and bites to-go

• The Sweatered Hen - Find great coffee, fun cocktails, and brunch classics here.

• Maven - Where a plant shop meets an elevated breakfast joint – enjoy brunch dishes with a little bit of Asian flair before shopping for your next plant baby.

• Golden Bell - Choose from pho, vermicelli bowls, banh mi, or other traditional Vietnamese staples at one of Calgary’s three Golden Bell locations.

• Tuk Tuk Thai - This fast and flavourful takeout restaurant offers authentic flavours and Thai favourites like Pad Thai, fried rice, and stir-fries.

• Bussin - A redefined diner experience where the walls are pink, the neon lights are bright, and the burgers and shakes will make your mouth water.

• Heaven Restaurant Market - Open since 2012, Heaven is a Venezuelan gluten-free paradise for anyone with strict dietary restrictions looking for delicious flavours.

• Ramen Taka - From Asahikawa to Calgary, authentic ramen knows no boundaries.

• The Big Cheese Poutinerie - Enjoy fresh fries, authentic cheese, a top-secret gravy recipe, and some twists on Canada’s unofficial national dish.

• Alumni - From chicken parms, Reubens, and tuna melts to turkey clubs and more, find all your favourite sandwich classics here.

• Hankki - This place serves up sweet and spicy Korean street food including Korean style hot dogs, fried chicken, and Hankki Bowls (bibimbap) perfect for lunch, dinner, or a late-night bite.

• Scozzafava's Deli - A new cult-favourite hangout serving classic Italian comfort like chicken parm, hoagies, and fresh cannoli and olive oil cake.

Cafes and bakeries

• Amato Gelato 17th Avenue - This local café offers some of the best Italian coffee and authentic gelato in the city.

• Analog Coffee - A Calgary classic, known for its quality espresso and friendly atmosphere. Perfect for a quick pick-me-up or a slow afternoon with a book.

• Butter Block - Find artisan pastries and croissants that are baked fresh daily, using traditional French techniques.

• Cafe Beano - A beloved spot in Calgary's coffee scene, Cafe Beano has been serving up its strong brewed coffee in a lively, community-focused atmosphere for over 30 years.

• Ollia Macarons & Tea - Known for its delicious macarons, Ollia also serves specialty teas, making it the perfect spot for a sweet treat.

• Paradigm Spark - A unique café that combines creative workspaces with artisanal coffee. It’s a great place for those looking to spark inspiration over a freshly brewed cup.

• Philosafy Coffee - Sip on expertly brewed coffee in this minimalistic café that focuses on quality, sustainability, and local sourcing.

• Rosso Coffee Roasters - A well-loved Calgary institution, Rosso is the place for ethically sourced beans and community-focused vibes.

• Rustic Sourdough - Step into this charming bakery for freshly baked bread, pastries, and a wide variety of coffee to complement your treat.

Where to have dinner

• Buon Giorno Ristorante Italiano - Delicious plates with flavours straight from Italy. Don’t be surprised by the warm service — some of Buon Giorno’s employees have been serving its patrons for over 30 years.

• Comery Block Barbeque- This West Tennessee barbeque and bourbon bar serves meats smoked for 10-14 hours and hundreds of whiskeys.

• UNA pizza + wine - Gather over California-inspired pizza and a good glass of wine or two at the now popular franchise’s original location.

• Porch - Enjoy a dinner amongst friends with a curated, laid-back, summer-porch vibe while you savour shareable cuisine featuring steak, lamb, and seafood items.

• Lonely Mouth Bar - Next time you're on the lookout for modern Japanese cuisine, swing by Lonely Mouth for fresh sashimi, house-made udon, and tempura treats.

• Taste of Yemen - Travel to Yemen through bites rich in aromatic spices and Yemeni flavours.

• Korilla Korean BBQ - Gather your friends and loved ones — this is not your traditional order-and-be-served experience. Cook your own choice of meats on the grill right at your table.

• The Coup - A plant-based restaurant that’s been serving Calgarians redefined vegetarian cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients for 20 years.

• Lulu Bar - The spot on 17th where flavours from Asia, Hawaii, California, and British Columbia intersect, and the alcohol-free cocktails are just as tasty and intricate as the boozy options.

• Passage to India - Whether you’re vegetarian, love your go-to butter chicken, or enjoy goat and lamb curries, you’ll find something to savour here.

Bars and pubs

17th Ave has been known locally as the Red Mile since 2004 when the Calgary Flames made their unlikely run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals and thousands of fans flocked there to celebrate the team. On game days you’ll see plenty of Flames jerseys throughout the bars and pubs of 17th Ave.

• Trolley 5 Brewpub - A craft brewery in the heart of the Red Mile that brings people together over a good pint and elevated pub eats.

• Jamesons Pub - One of two Calgary locations, Jamesons offers a casual setting with over 30 tapped beers (many of them local craft beers!) and a variety of modern and traditional Irish foods.

• Whisky Rose - Your go-to spot for live music and a good night of dancing! Plus, it offers some sweet daily specials, like half-off pizza on Fridays.

• Cold Beer & Pizza - Is there a better pairing than pizza and beer? Find out for yourself with local tapped beers and pizzas up to a metre long!

• Ship & Anchor - A neighbourhood favourite where good friends join up for good drinks and a great time. Discover over 30 draught beverages and tasty eats here.

• National on 17th - Have your pick of tapped beers from local breweries like Village, Ol’ Beautiful and Marda Loop Brewing, and enjoy a bite of anything from pizza to salad.

• Texas Lounge - Texas Lounge has been welcoming the LGBTQIA+ community for over 30 years, serving up a good atmosphere, daily specials, and weekly events.

• Betty Lou’s Library - Enjoy exceptional cocktails under the warm glow of chandeliers and vintage velvet seating. Find the telephone when you arrive and give the speakeasy a call — you’ll have to enter through its hidden door.

• Prohibition Bar and Lounge - Travel back in time to the roaring twenties as you step into the underground lounge and find jazz music, vintage decor, and an elaborate selection of cocktails.

• Pinbar - Pinball, arcade games, and wicked daily specials — Pinbar has the essentials for a fun night out.

 From thrifted goods and vinyl records to your next fashion statement piece, 17th Ave has everything you need for a fun afternoon of shopping.

• Steeling Home - Find a variety of eclectic home goods, local products, and jewellery here to add some unique flair to your life.

• Blackbyrd Myoozik - Browse through CDs and vinyl in every genre of music, turntables, and accessories.

• Rubaiyat - A family-owned and -operated gallery open for over 50 years, Rubaiyat sells the works of over 500 artists with products ranging from jewellery, glass art, and home decor to pots and apothecary products.

• Sloth Records - An independent record store where you’ll find CDs, vinyls, comics, zines, and all the record player goods you’ll need.

• gravitypope - Discover collections of footwear, clothing, and accessories from all over the world.

• Kate Hewko - You can expect bold and colourful high fashion pieces that scream “I’ll wear what I want to wear” from Kate Hewko.

• Beyond Scarf - Shop high-quality scarves, accessories, jewellery, handbags, and shoes that will bring your outfit to the next level.

• HG Vintage - Embrace styles from the 70s, 80s, and 90s and shop vintage tees, crewnecks, sportswear, and more at HG Vintage.

• Era Style Loft - Eras is a Canadian-based women’s clothing store with timeless pieces that fit the modern woman’s lifestyle.

• The Flea - A community-driven thrift store featuring a selection of pre-loved treasures curated by local vendors.

• Mira Masa Fashion - Shop simple clothing pieces with a refined edge that you can wear to any occasion.

There’s always something worth checking out on 17th Ave. Local spots are often hosting karaoke, bingo, and art classes. In the summer, Tomkins Park is often the site of concerts, outdoor movie nights, and cultural performances.

• Karaoke - Sing your heart away seven nights a week at Watchman’s Pub & Eatery. Swing by Texas Lounge on Tuesdays and Saturdays and Pinbar on Thursdays for your turn at the mic. Or check out Korilla for private karaoke rooms.

• Bingo - Grab your friends and take part in Punk Rock Bingo at Ship & Anchor on Tuesdays.

• Passion for Glass - Learn to make jewellery, mosaics, plates, and more in a workshop, class, or even masterclass on glass art.

• Self-Guided Mural Tour - Grab your favourite drink to-go and discover bold, colourful, and thought-provoking murals by the talented artists from past BUMP Festivals.

• Bake and Pair Macarons - Calling all macaron lovers! Ollia Macarons & Tea offers classes on how to make your favourite French sweet treat and events to learn what teas and wines go best with it.

• Rumble Boxing - Get your sweat on and discover a new way to workout with a heavy bag class at Rumble Boxing Studio.