The Artist Lounge

1840 20 Ave NW, Calgary AB T2M 1H3
$$ International

Reservations

Booking Notes:

Please call or email us about parties larger than 6

Business Info

  • Address: 1840 20 Ave NW, Calgary AB T2M 1H3
  • Cross Street: Capitol hill
  • Cuisine: International |
  • Cost: | Inexpensive
  • Category: Bar/Lounge
  • Star Rating:
  • Reservations: Recommended
  • Dress Code: Casual
  • Meals Served: Dinner | Late | Other |
  • Parking: Street |
  • Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Cash | Debit |
  • Corkage Fee: N/A
  • Phone: 4034550992
  • Features: Full Bar, Late Dining, Organic Ingredients, Outdoor Seating, Tasting Menu, Lounge / Bar, Free Wi-Fi,
  • Occasion: Romantic Dining, Dining Alone, Business Dining, Meet for a Drink, People Watching, Quiet Conversation, Special Occasion, Quick Bite, Trendy / Hip, Celebrity Spotting, Date Night,

Photos

Business Hours

Reservations Available
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Wine Wednesday! 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Thursday
Throwback Thursday! 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Friday
Friendly Fridays! 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Saturday
Sip & Savour Saturdays 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Brunch 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Sunday
Sunday Brunch 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
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Customer Reviews & Ratings

4.76 out of 5 stars based on 496 votes

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 23, 2024
Wendy P.
Always enjoy my visits here. Food, drink and service are consistently great, street parking is easy and atmosphere is lovely!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 12, 2024
Dylan G.
It was great! No notes!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 26, 2024
Cindy S.
Awesome little gem for anyone who likes good food, good music and great art!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 23, 2024
Sherrie L.
Mmm! Delicious breakfast, really good coffee, attentive service, in an interesting and fun venue. We will be back! We have had dinner here before, but we finally tried the brunch. The whole menu looked good.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 17, 2023
Barb L.
The atmosphere is amazing! Love the artwork and light decor. Food was great too!!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 07, 2023
Lance C.
It's even nicer with the lighting dimmed a bit! Food, service is always stellar here.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 7/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Nov 28, 2023
Angele L.
Loved the live music!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 23, 2023
Deborah M.
The food was great. Staff was fun and interesting.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 16, 2023
Amanda B.
Fabulous place!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 15, 2023
Robynne M.
Always EXCELLENT!!!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 05, 2023
Sharon B.
We enjoyed our brunch very much. Food was excellent and the service divine. Loved getting to know Megan!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 20, 2023
Nancy B.
Lovely to sit among the the works of art while sipping amazing cocktails and eating incredible food.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 20, 2023
Ted B.
Great food. Great service. Really pleasant, comfortable and interesting space. Very enjoyable.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Apr 22, 2023
Jori B.
Food is amazing; I'm not a big drinker but the cocktails are great too! Great place to meet friends.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 20, 2023
Kim P.
This was our second visit. Both times the bartender came over to explain some of the cocktails and wine choices. The food is yummy! Our Tokyo cauliflower bites were hot right out of the fryer, but the halloumi and rib eye sliders were room temperature. The donuts are amazing! We didn’t leave enough time to have a good look at the art because we were on our way to the Jubilee.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 14, 2023
Helen H.
Our group had a great time! We were glad to have had the whole corner - hope we weren’t to loud for other tables!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Feb 14, 2023
Elise H.
Great breakfast. Friendly attentive staff. Good value!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Feb 13, 2023
Becca M.
The Artists Lounge provides a very unique experience. The staff are friendly and very accommodating. Sometimes, cocktails can feel intimidating with unknown flavours, or existing dislikes etc. Jimmy the cocktailier (lol) listened and had suggestions for amendments. It was overall a very lovely experience and can’t wait to go back!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 17, 2023
Myrna A.
We really enjoyed our night out here. The servers were attentive and described the various cocktails, tapas, and portion sizes clearly. The tapas were delicious. We will definitely return.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 10, 2023
Jill R.
Excellent service and very good innovative tapas dishes. Great atmosphere in this unique gallery setting

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 09, 2023
Rachel S.
Love this spot! The food is tasty, the atmosphere is great and the staff are also fantastic!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 10, 2022
Catherine G.
Love this space! Highly recommend. Love thru food, vibe, everything.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 04, 2022
James B.
We really enjoy The Artist's Lounge. Great ambiance, the cocktails are stellar and the tapas hits the spot. It is a great date night spot for us.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 30, 2022
Kiran R.
This was my second time at the restaurant and it was great!! Love the space, great food and service. Thank you. Will most certainly be back again.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 29, 2022
June R.
If you could offer a sample plate of 3 tapas for folks to share it would be lovely. Some items like halloumi came as 2 but the pork slider was 1. Perhaps identify each menu item that offers 2 pieces (for sharing). I am back next week so you guys are doing everything right with ambience and service. Could staff wear a name tag. The young lady who looked after my friend and me was very knowledgeable about the drinks and helped us choose. I would have liked to thank her in this review

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 16, 2022
Idele v.
This place is a gem! Our server with the big blue dreamy eyes, was the best we have ever experienced! The food and drinks were top class! Everything was top class!! A truly unique experience in Calgary!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 18, 2022
Stephanie W.
We had such a great time! The food was really delicious, cocktails fun and our server was perhaps the best server we have experienced. After dinner we enjoyed the gallery. Great food + beautiful art. We will definitely be going back.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 10, 2022
Bonnie M.
Artist a lounge is a wonderful place to see new art, have great tapas and the cocktails are amazing. Second time there and will be returning. The display was being changed so not a lot of art to look at…. Gives me one other reason to return once a new artist is displayed!!! The people who work there are efficient, friendly and great fo talk to. Rate 5/5.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Aug 15, 2022
Bert E.
Our first visit was splendid. Will certainly return. Delicious food, great drinks, superb service and environment.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Aug 08, 2022
Susan Q.
Such a great find. It was perfect - the setting, the food, the drinks, the service. Highly recommend.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Aug 07, 2022
Kim G.
Food was so fresh and delicious. Our server was pleasant and informative about wines. Did not feel rushed to leave or place our order. Will definitely be going back !!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jul 19, 2022
Tammy M.
Excellent food, cocktails and service!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jul 19, 2022
Wendy S.
Fantastic all round experience for us. Top mark's for food & drinks. Lovely variety that suited our palette....would eat at Artist Lounge every night if we could :-) Attentive staff and appreciated Jimmy taking time to chat to us about his experiences. Very clear of his vision but open to listening about other suggestions. Can't wait to return.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 26, 2022
Carrie D.
Such a unique space! Friendly staff and tasty tapas!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 29, 2022
Peter A.
Excellent food, and the drinks were delicious! Don't tell him what drink you want him to make. Tell him your top 3 choices and he'll make you your new favorite. He's that good!

Overall: 9/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Nov 07, 2023
Hannah T.
I do believe the food ($8 for a tiny plate of carrots) was slightly overpriced, however everything was delicious, our server was absolutely incredible. The cocktails were on special for $10 which was an incredible deal especially considering the quality and the amount of thought/creativity put into them!! Ambience was perfect! Definitely will be back and have already recommended this place.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Oct 15, 2023
Jason K.
Overall, very good experience. We will return.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 9/10
May 14, 2023
Uwe W.
It’s our fav place in our neighborhood! Service is great and the bartender/ head mixologist is amazing! Now that patio season has started it’s even better!

Overall: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 9/10
May 06, 2023
Maureen M.
Unique venue, exceptional cocktails and tapas - wonderful experience- really appreciated the low volume of music which allowed us to talk and hear well too

Overall: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Mar 13, 2023
Chris P.
The table at the bathroom door probably shouldn't hold four, but only two - it's ackward trying to access the bathroom stairs with people at that table.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 18, 2023
Debbie M.
The food was great as well as service. Only thing negative was the floors were dirty with food from the previous night. We were first ones in the restaurant for brunch so I new it was from the previous evening.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Dec 05, 2022
Vivian S.
Really happy that this very cool space has been created in the neighborhood. It's almost perfect but... I would suggest dimming the lighting in the restaurant part of the gallery (funny dilemma to have because it's totally understood they need bright lighting for the artwork) and a wider range of cocktails with less weird ingredients. And put some big fluffy Ikea sheep's wool covers on the cold bar stools to make it cozier! Easy, cheap fix. Otherwise, the concept is perfect, the food generally very tasty (trying a bit hard though), and the ambience exactly what I want from a modern neighborhood restaurant.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Aug 28, 2022
Jan D.
Fantastic neighbourhood destination with great patio and interior ambiance, excellent food and curated cocktails with local beers. Highly recommended.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Aug 09, 2022
Linda H.
Excellent food, service, atmosphere. We enjoyed viewing the art. Prices are great, including the wine and cocktails.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Jul 24, 2022
Shirley W.
Jimmy and Marine were delightful. Wandering through the art gallery with a drink in our hands was enjoyable. Sharing tapas was fun. Creative cocktails were amazing.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Mar 26, 2024
Sherry M.
Love the tapas at The Artist Lounge. The local musician is also great!

Overall: 8/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 5/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Feb 19, 2024
Leona H.
I love your place, we enjoyed our visit! However, the waitress was abrupt and unengaging throughout - made for a disappointing experience unfortunately. We will be back regardless, and hopefully will get one of the friendlier waiters next time. I appreciate your beautiful local business very much :)

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 7/10
Sep 12, 2023
Julie G.
I had been trying to get here for a bit but I can assure you, now they’ll be sick of me as I will be back — Often! A great spot with delicious, creative food

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 5/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Aug 15, 2023
Edna G.
Going back next weekend. Wait staff pleasant but need more training.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 6/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 7/10
Mar 20, 2023
Lara O.
Love this place and I go there for the fantastic ambience but this time the food was disappointing (I find the tapas in general there pretty ho hum). the won ton I ordered was dried out on one side and seemed like it was taken out of the freezer and just boiled. The cauliflower was good, no complaints there and my friend liked her slider so perhaps it was just the won ton that was quite disappointing. Also I found the prices went through the roof for wine- perhaps you are trying to create an exclusive clientel and I'm sure your selections are top notch but $16 a glass for a 5 oz glass of wine was way to expensive for our budgets, so we stuck with beer.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 7/10
Nov 13, 2022
Lara O.
The setting and decor is lovely and inspiring, though the area where the dining tables are is a bit too cramped, it seems out of balance as there is so much space in the rest of the room. I found the food tasty but very small portions, except the tokyo cauliflower which was quite generous but the wontons and the halloumi was small sizes for the price. So the bill was a bit high $80 for two of us to have 4 orders of tapas, and two drinks each but was still quite hungry after. None of the beers you had on the menu were available, or only 1 was. And I would say that somehow that dining area could be made a bit "nicer" as it seems like very functional furniture and as I said, very cramped. Maybe some candles on the tables or focused lighting? To give it the same elegance as the rest of the room and the furnishings on the gallery side. I would definitely come back as I love that you are doing this in Capital Hill, and its a great addition, but just these small touches would improve the experience.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 7/10
Value: 9/10
Nov 06, 2022
Sophie B.
The restaurant is fantastic - as are the food and cocktails but found it quite loud and hard to carry on a conversation.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 6/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Aug 13, 2022
Jane C.
Lovely place to catchup with friends. Service missed the clues we were ready to go and it took along time to get our bill.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Aug 02, 2022
Chris B.
Great location and concept. Our server was very knowledgeable. Loved the unique non alcoholic options.