The Spanish Crown at Pr%f Cocktail Lounge
Enjoy some whisky at One18 Empire
Whisky
One18 Empire knows a thing or two about whiskey. Not only do they have
a thoughtfully curated whiskey-inspired cocktail menu, but they also stock
over 100 whiskeys, scotches, bourbons, and ryes. One18 Empire carries a
selection of some of the finest single cask, single malt whiskey, bottled by
the world famous Scotch Malt Whiskey Society. Due to the limited amount
of bottles available, these whiskies are incredibly rare. Non-members
typically do not have access to this exclusive selection of whiskey, however
at One18 Empire, anyone can be part of the club for an evening. Whether
in the sleek lounge or dining room, it’s the perfect place to play out a Mad
Men fantasy, and there’s no better drink for a stylish night out than their
signature Old Fashioned.
PHOTOGRAPHS: (LEFT TO RIGHT) BY JANET DAVIE; COURTESY OF ONE18 EMPIRE
Cocktails
PRLR Lounge, serves up delicious concoctions from behind the counter.
Beautifully decorated with plush booth seating, geometric chandeliers,
and glass animal heads mounted on the wall, visiting PRLR is an experience
beyond just drinking a cocktail.
“Our vision [with PRLR] was to combine the existing nightlife in Calgary,
where most people like what they like and rarely stray from that, with this
relatively new crafted cocktail revolution,” says bar manager Alex Newman.
We want it to be a happy marriage.”
The cocktails themselves are not focused around one specific type of
liqueur, and range from bold and boozy to light and refreshing. A wide
range of upscale bitters are used in creating cocktails, including the
Peychaud’s brand, a widely regarding king in the bitters kingdom. Michter’s
whiskey, founded in 1753, is also used. “A drink is only as good as what goes
into it,” Newman says of the ingredients and care put into each concoction.
Try the Gunsmoke cocktail, made with ingredients including pisco, maple
syrup, red adler smoked sea salt and Ardberg 10 year scotch rinse. If you’re
apt to linger over a cocktail (or two) PRLR is the perfect place to do so, as it’s
open until 1 am, every night of the week.
Unwind after a long day at Pr%f (pronounced “proof”) Cocktail Bar, a craft
cocktail hotspot. “We’re just a couple of guys that like to collect cool stuff,”
says general manager Tony Migliarese, of their alcohol collection, which is
easily the focus point of the place as it towers over
the bar, crammed to the gills. Among the bottles is
George T. Stagg, a limited-produced bourbon whiskey
from Kentucky, as well as Michter’s whiskey. Keep
an eye out for the percentage sign next to select
cocktails in their extensive list, as those indicate
originals exclusive to Pr%f. Bartender Rod Redford
whips up a snazzy Spanish Crown, a neon-hued
drink that tastes as bold and tangy as it looks
with mezcal, fino sherry, Suze (a French apéritif)
and a house made lemon elixir. One must also
try the Improved House Manhattan with an
extensive ingredient list including Ransom
sweet vermouth, Luxardo Maraschino, and
cherry bark vanilla bitters.
Pr%f has a no-standing policy, meaning that
they won’t admit entrance when every seat is
filled, allowing for intimate conversations to
happen without the buzz of an extremely busy
room. If you rather a more intimate evening
still, then the right side of the restaurant can
be booked out which includes a dining table.
If you’re looking for something reminiscent of
being on a tropical vacation, make sure to stop
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