After Eight

A really unique and intimate experience! My favorite was Midnight Tea Ceremony and I'm not even a big matcha fan.

Decided to check this place out for our 1 week wedding anniversary. Amazing place, excellent cocktails. Want to give a shoutout to Randy. Kept everyone engaged and was actually interested in listening to what everyone had to say. Very informative on the drinks as well. 10/10 definitely coming back here

This is hands down the best cocktail bar in all of Calgary. My partner and I decided to give afterEIGHT a try for our date night yesterday and we were absolutely blown away by the experience. From the moment they came to get us from the lobby, the staff was incredibly pleasant and kind. Edris led us in and made us feel really comfortable from the get go! Randy was very knowledgeable and clearly takes great pride in his craft, and took the time to explain the menu to us. We went with his recommendations and the smoky maple cocktail he made for me may have been the best cocktail I’ve ever had. He also let me know that their cocktails containing eggs could be made vegan using an alternative foamer, which was great! We wish we knew about this place sooner and will absolutely be coming back!

Atmosphere: 8/10 Located in Calgary’s East Village, afterEIGHT is a hidden speakeasy tucked behind the EIGHT restaurant inside the Alt Hotel. Entry involves finding a discreet phone and dialing “8” to be escorted into an intimate, eight-seat bar. The space features 15-foot vaulted ceilings adorned with 10-karat gold leaf, creating a warm and ethereal ambiance. The minimalist design, cherry adobo wood bar, and hand-blown Kimura stemware contribute to a refined setting. The atmosphere is serene, with music at a comfortable volume that complements the intimate vibe. The backbar is minimal, with a small selection of higher-tier spirits and some pre-batched ingredients — fitting the tight concept, but worth noting. Drinks: 7.5/10 Recommendation: – The menu is thoughtfully curated, presented in a minimalist Japanese-inspired style. While the selection showcases creative recipes and ingredients, the descriptions focus more on storytelling, making it challenging to discern the exact flavors and components of each cocktail. Drinks are measured by weight, reflecting meticulous Japanese craftsmanship. Served in high-quality glassware with nice coasters, the presentation is basic and garnishes are not used. Afterlife #2, an inventive take on the Corpse Reviver #2, showed creativity but leaned heavily on sour notes — the flavor felt unbalanced and slightly overpowering. Service: 6/10 The staff is professional and friendly, providing attentive service throughout the experience. However, no water was offered upon arrival, which is a notable oversight. The bar also enforces a strict no-photography policy, a rule inherited from the EIGHT restaurant. While the intention is to maintain an immersive atmosphere, this restriction feels outdated and unnecessarily limits guests’ ability to capture and share their experience. In a bar setting, where the dynamics differ from a multi-course dining experience, such a rule feels misplaced and detracts from the overall enjoyment.

Very disappointing, booked a reservation 2 weeks in advance to celebrate my girlfriends birthday, arrived a bit early so went for a couple drinks at Nupo and got a text message a half hour early saying our table was ready press 1 to confirm, so went pounded our drinks at Nupo and paid our bill, went to the phone to check in and was told we were early and would have to wait till 10:30 so we sat down and waited, at 10:30 we were told that the dinner guests from eight had chosen to stay and as per their policy we would have to change our reservation or wait another 45mins. Such a disappointing experience, ended up going to Shelter and had great drinks. Be forewarned reservations at After eight doesn’t mean you have reservations.