Here's a closer look at Calgary’s newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this summer. The new and renovated Calgary venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
A note regarding COVID-19: Some of the venues listed here may not yet be available for hosting events due to the pandemic, or they may be operating at a lower capacity.
The Dorian
Inspired by the literary classic The Picture of Dorian Gray, this Autograph Collection property, The Dorian, opened in central downtown Calgary earlier this month. The 27-story, 137-room hotel combines contemporary luxury with traditional British style. Executive chef Kevin D. Birch oversees culinary experiences in three eateries, including The Wilde, a rooftop fine dining experience available for small to mid-size corporate or social occasions. The hotel’s largest meeting and event space is the Lord Henry Wotton Ballroom (pictured), which can accommodate up to 225 people for receptions and 152 for banquets. A bonus? Each of the five main event rooms—which range from 400-3,345 square feet—come with optional business and catering services.
Photo: Courtesy of Marriott
Tomahawk Kitchen + Bar
Tomahawk Kitchen + Bar opened in southwest Calgary in April. There's a focus on upscale, modern cuisine with a menu notable for its Alberta beef, veal tomahawk steaks, and sumptuous sides (think: duck-fat fries, bone marrow butter, and sauteed wild mushrooms). There's also a broad selection of local craft beer, all served in an at-home atmosphere. There's two private event rooms on-site, Bos Taurus and Bos Brahma, that can be joined or separated by sliding doors for private business meetings or social gatherings. Both rooms offer flat-screen TVs for presentations and can accommodate up to 10 people for a seated meal. Tomahawk Kitchen + Bar is currently developing additional event packages for private functions; inquire within.
Photo: Courtesy of Tomahawk Kitchen + Bar
Max Belle Centre
Last winter, Max Belle Centre underwent a $14 million dollar renovation to revamp the facility's Perry Cavanagh (Arena 2) and Ken Broko arenas. Updates to the spaces include a modernized lobby and concession area, a new interactive play area and activity wall for families, and a resurfaced walking track. The arenas have also incorporated energy-efficient LED lighting, barrier-free washrooms, better access to portable water and electrical services for food trucks, and enhanced structural aprons to support entertainment staging. Beyond rentals for ice activities, the Perry Cavanagh and Ken Broko arenas each offer 18,000 square feet of exhibit space, and the Max Belle Centre boasts an additional three meeting rooms that seat up to 30, plus four multi-use dressing rooms and an event office.
Photo: Courtesy of Travel Alberta
The Artist Lounge
Inside the Ruberto Ostberg Gallery, located just south of Confederation Park, The Artist Lounge opened a new tapas bar and cocktail lounge in May. Along with the rest of the gallery, artwork exhibitions within the lounge change on a seasonal basis, giving guests a variety of pieces to experience throughout the year. Small, shareable bites on the menu include kimchi pork wontons, cajun potato bravas, and bourbon caramel donuts, while wine, beer, and signature cocktails—as well as alcohol-free options—are available at the bar. The 1,000-square-foot main area has the capacity to seat up to 60 people, and an adjacent gallery space and outdoor patio can accommodate an additional 95.
Photo: Courtesy of Ruberto Ostberg Gallery
LaunchPad Heritage Point
The second LaunchPad location opened just south of Calgary at the end of June. With 40 hitting suites, visitors can request group bookings online and are encouraged to take advantage of the 9-hole virtual golf gameplay. Courses rotate weekly, and the high-tech venue leverages mechanics from Toptracer Range that automatically tees balls before each swing, plus measures speed, accuracy, and distance via a mobile app. LaunchPad Heritage Point is also heated to accommodate events year-round, and the multilevel entertainment complex offers two bars and restaurants that can accommodate 600 golfers and non-golfers alike for full or partial buyouts. An extensive menu by chef Leighton Smyth focuses on locally sourced ingredients and offers a broad range of shareable appetizers, pub favorites, curated cocktails, and beer selections.
Photo: Courtesy of LaunchPad
