Bridgette Bar

Located halfway between the downtown core and 17th Avenue, Bridgette Bar is an upscale-casual bar and restaurant that channels the sophisticated charm of the late '60s and early '70s. The restaurant-bar opened at the end of 2016 as a joint venture between the Concorde Group and Frank Architecture.

Bridgette Bar has an effortlessly dapper atmosphere. It can’t really be categorized as a restaurant or a bar, so general manager Dewey Noordhof instead refers to it as a “chef-driven bar.” It’s a social gathering spot for Calgarians who want a classy, low-key alternative to the rest of the city’s nightlife. “We sell food and we sell beverages, but I think it’s more than that. It has to be more than that. It’s about creating a space that people can escape to,” Dewey says, sipping on a half glass of Vancouver brewed Postmark Raspberry.

While the space has a distinctly classic feel, it is accented with smart, modern furnishings like industrial lighting, plants, kitschy art pieces and plush luxury sofas. The establishment is divided into an upper level open kitchen and dining area (where reservations are highly recommended) as well as a lower level bar area (where reservations are not required).

There are no televisions on-site, and patrons are encouraged to turn their visit at Bridgette Bar into a social experience. Whether guests are dining, drinking or both, the focus should be on their experience and enjoyment in-the-moment. “I think there’s a need for places like Bridgette Bar where people can go and be around other human beings, whether they know them or not,” Dewey says.