From The Fairmont Palliser Best Nearby Bars (Nightlife) (10 Overall Closest) Metro: Calgary, AB Murrieta's Westcoast Bar and Grill (Nightlife - Bars) 200808 1st St SW Old Alberta Hotel Building, Calgary  AB  T2P 1M9 • 403-269-7707 Distance: ~85 m User Rating: 8.6 / 10         Description: This stylish venue has attracted quite a following since its inception. Just off Stephen Avenue, Murietta's refurbished building boasts high ceilings, exposed brick, and hip furnishings. The establishment is both bar and restaurant. If you choose to dine, the menu includes Australian rack of lamb, roast chicken, osso bucco, bouillabaisse, fresh fish, and a variety of pastas. If you simply want to socialize and drink, the fashionable lounge area has bar seating, upholstered groupings, and table seating with views out onto the street. It's a popular place in the evening, especially with the professional crowd, and is great on its own or as a before- or after-dinner hangout. Vicious Circle (Nightlife - Bars) 1011 1st St SW, Calgary  AB • 403-269-3951 Distance: ~207 m User Rating: 9 / 10         Description: An industrial coffeehouse feel characterizes this venue, which is bathed in caramel, purple, and sage. Expressive canvases line the walls, while muslin lines the windows. Tables look out over the front terrace and the street, while upholstered sofas congregate around the back wall, inviting loungers to kick back and sink in. Patrons have a full bar at their disposal, although the martini menu – all 140 selections – easily monopolizes their attention. The menu is etched on slabs of sheet metal and includes pastas, pizzas, salads, and an array of international appetizers. The place gets busy in the evenings as patrons file in to drink, to talk, to listen to music, and to revel in the tendency toward inactivity. It's a relaxing way to decompress. Ming (Nightlife - Bars) 520 17th Ave SW, Calgary  AB  T2S 0B1 • 403-229-1986 Distance: ~0.933 km         Description: Sunken below street level, this intimate lounge invites conversation and discussion in its subdued space. Boasting vivid red walls, the club is a sophisticated, fashionable destination if you don't want to be bombarded by throbbing music and drunken teens. The drinks menu concentrates on martinis of all formulations; the ingredients that comprise each one give hints as to its name. For example, the Mother Teresa boasts Bombay gin, named after the Indian city. Other concoctions are named for Napoleon, Ghandi, and Buddha. If you find yourself with an appetite, a menu of innovative items is available as well. Ideal for late-night philosophical exploration. Garage (Nightlife - Bars) 195-200 Barclay Parade SW Eau Claire Market, Calgary  AB  T2P 4R5 • 403-262-6762 Distance: ~1.011 km         Description: Yep, it really does look like a garage, except it's hipper and cleaner, thank goodness! The place sports lots of metal accents, along with paraphernalia relating to cars, motorcycles, and mechanics. It also has a ton of pool tables for those who like their game and, perhaps, some friendly wagering. A large bar serves up libations of all sorts, ensuring that no one goes away thirsty. You'll also find an array of TVs tuned in to whatever's most interesting. Young professionals comprise the bulk of the clientele, and the club happily accommodates their private parties and events. Melrose Cafe & Bar (Nightlife - Bars) 730 17th Ave SW, Calgary  AB  T2S 0B7 • 403-228-3566 Distance: ~1.171 km         Description: Although California is miles away, a little taste of it can be had at this trendy restaurant. Known for its designer pizzas and flatbread sandwiches, the eatery attracts diners who want to munch on entrees that feature fresh ingredients and don't seem so heavy. Among their offerings, you'll find a tasty salmon salad, grilled chicken, and more. The place is also good for drinks, and you can sip a cold beverage while you watch patrons posture along the sidelines. The social scene is big here, obviously, although you can also watch sports events or trivia competitions on the TVs. Head over after work, or meet friends later on in the evening. The crowds are beautiful; the drinks, well-mixed. Auburn Saloon (Nightlife - Bars) 115 9th Ave SE Tower Centre, Calgary  AB  T2G 2G8 • 403-266-6628 Distance: ~2.797 km         Description: This upscale venue attracts a host of business professionals and cultural aficionados, who appreciate its close proximity to the performing arts center and downtown's office towers. The interior boasts a collection of art, along with clusters of upholstered sofas perfect for post-work lounging or relaxing after a theater performance. Cocktails are the drink of choice, and many of them have colorful names that evoke famous people and sweet candy treats. The Auburn Ale, a dark beer named after the bar, offers a departure from liquor drinks and is an unexpected venture in this all-liquor terrain. Conversation flows easily in the space. When you get hungry choose from gourmet sandwiches, pizzas, or the Auburn's signature brandied pumpkin soup. Copyright ©2001 10Best Inc. All rights reserved.