I wrote this email to management on January 2, 2026. Since then I have been following up every week trying to get a hold of someone. Both via phone call and email. They haven't even replied to my messages. They do not care about patrons at all. I have written this review on multiple platforms and have even left a formal complaint with the BBB of Calgary. DO NOT waste your time on this business. They are horribly run. Said email: "I am writing to formally express my disappointment regarding the December 31 event at Lounge 18, which I attended after purchasing three cocktail hour and party tickets. Unfortunately, the experience did not meet the expectations set by the event's promotion or the standards I would expect from your venue. The quality of service throughout the evening was extremely poor. The drinks served were noticeably watered down, and on two separate occasions, drink orders placed at our table were completely forgotten. The server's presence was very infrequent, resulting in wait times of up to 45 minutes to receive a drink. Additionally, the first drink we received at midnight was empty, and the following drink had visible lipstick on the glass, which raised serious concerns about cleanliness and attention to detail. Other advertised features of the event were also lacking. The "photo booth and props" were essentially non-existent, and the dance floor was far too small and poorly arranged for the number of guests in attendance. The music did not reflect the DJ experience that was promised and instead sounded like a generic playlist rather than a professionally curated set. Due to the overall poor execution of the event, we chose to leave early and ended up paying full price to attend another event elsewhere so we could salvage our evening. This was my first experience at Lounge 18, and regrettably, it left a very negative impression. Based on this experience, I am unlikely to return. Given the circumstances, I believe a partial refund would be appropriate, and I hope you will take this feedback seriously. I would appreciate a response regarding how this matter can be resolved. Thank you for your time and attention." read more

Ooo weee.. I was visiting banff for a few days and checked out Calgary while I was in the area. Who knew a place like this existed out there. I tried the fish tacos and they were . They also had Mantu on the menu! Definitely check this place out if you are in the area. read more

​Lounge Eighteen - wo tacos on a cutting board - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

PLEASE VISIT IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE RACIALLY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AND, HARASSED AND DISPRESPECTED. My friends and I arrived, staggered, between 830-9PM last month. I spoke to the waitress and requested a large booth. She explained that that booth was for ten patrons. At this time, four of us were seated, two were outside, and two more were 5 minutes away from arriving. This made us a group of 8. Again, I politely requested the booth as we were a large group of 8, it was vacant, and it had no reservations. She let me know that she would have to ask the manager. When the manager arrived, he told us that the booth was not for 10, it was for 12, and that our group was not large enough to be seated there. We let him know that the waitress had told us it was for 10, not for 12, and implied that he should honour what we were just told. He then pivoted, saying that the booth would have to be "split into two" with other patrons because it was too large of a booth for our group of 8 to be seated in. Please keep in mind that at this point the restaurant was more than half empty with most of the available seating being large enough to accomodate 4-6 people. Though I didn't agree with nor understand his logic, I agreed to allow for a group to sit with us should that be necessary in case the establishment filled up. As soon as I let the manager know that I agreed with his terms, he changed his mind and refused to seat our group at the booth, instead ushering us to a table in an obscure corner of the establishment. This table (which was not a booth) was almost hidden from the view of the main section of the restaurant, and was right beside the door on what was a very cold day. At this moment, it dawned on me that this was now a racially-charged situation - we were a large group of all-black patrons being relegated to a corner of a half-empty restaurant, being denied as patrons for a reasonable request. I repeatedly asked why we were being denied being appropriately seated, and was responded with an outright refusal to be seated at the booth (at this point no excuses were even being provided anymore). In the middle of speaking, the manager told me to "calm down", and we were given no choice but to be seated at the table in the corner by the door. When we were seated, I called the manager over and let him know that I would be escalating this incident, and that I had found it upsetting that I had been patronizingly told to "calm down" for simply voicing our dissatisfaction with how he was handling our reasonable request of being seated at an empty booth in a half-empty restaurant. In response, he said, and I quote: "I told you to calm down because I thought you were going to punch me in the face". I was astonished. I told him that there had been no indication, in the slightest, that I was going to commit any acts of violence during this engagement and that it was incredibly inappropriate to be told otherwise. He did not disagree. At the end of the night, I again called the manager and asked how this situation would be rectified. I asked for our bills to be covered, which I believed to be the bare minimum request for what was essentially a hate-motivated incident. This request was denied. At that moment I had one friend standing by me in quiet support. The manager then looked at me and said, and I quote: "I would rather talk to her [my friend] than talk to you." Before we left, after all the night's racism and harassment, I was only provided a half-hearted, lukewarm apology by the manager for "racialness" - whatever that could possibly mean. I have never experienced such blatant racism, disregard for common decency and respect and lack of customer service etiquette in my entire life. WILL NEVER GO BACK AND WILL NEVER RECOMMEND TO ANYONE ELSE EITHER. read more

Love this place , food drinks amd service are always awsome , Jamie lee was our waitress the last time , and I must say she was so professional , kind and most considerate to anything we asked for , thanks lounge 18 , we will be back. read more

Ugh - this place is douchy as all heck - trying way to hard to be something it's not. Not busy but the waitress was too busy playing favorites with other tables. They cranked the music even though it was still super early... the drinks were not good ... syrupy and fake. The smoked drink tasted like you were licking a syrup covered ashtray. I wouldn't go back. We didn't even finish our drinks before asking and waiting forever for the bill. read more

I was here on St. Patrick's day. It was busy and the hostess at the front told us that we probably wouldn't be able to get a table but if we wanted we could chill at the bar and if something opens up she'll grab us. After ordering a green-themed shot and as we were ordering another green-themed cocktail a table was free and the hostess came and grabbed us. The food was really good. And the atmosphere is fancy. We had burgers and it was delicious. Like a perfect pub burger in a fancy dining space. The music was really good but in true Calgary form-- there isn't a dance floor so I shook what my mama gave me through a series of head-nods to the beat in my seat. read more

Don't come here, the bouncer grabbed my $170 pants and told me they have a "dress code" after 9, simply because they weren't jeans. Take your business elsewhere, guy was extremely rude and demeaning. read more

My half sweet mojito seemed really sweet and we had duck tacos which were okay. They cranked the music really loud at 830pm, to the point where we left because we couldn't hear each other talk. They need to work out the kinks. Will give it another shot in a few weeks or so. read more

I have been here a few times and have always had a very positive experience (great service, friendly staff, awesome atmosphere), except today. The server failed to mention that we had been charged a steep gratuity fee. Once the bills were handed to us, so was the machine which gave us no time to notice that the tip was included on each of our bills already as we all tipped her anyways. The staff is usually super knowledgable and always inform us of any additional charges or changes to the bill, except today. Food was slow coming out and in the most random order. Place was empty. Not sure what the issue was today, but we won't be back for a while. read more

Had a blast here last night with a group of friends. Our service wasn't the most prompt, however the building was FULL and buzzing with people and there was a decent line up for tables. Girlfriends and I ordered a bottle of prosecco. The bottle showed up already open, not chilled, we poured it ourselves. The chiller that was brought had very little ice in it, no water. Didn't keep our bottle cold, but, the bubbles were delicious. I ordered the house burger and it was FANTASTIC! I would go back again and again for this perfectly cooked gem of deliciousness. I did not try the shesha, but I was told it was wonderful. The staff were knowledgable and helpful on this topic. This is a great little spot on 17th. If you can't handle loud music come before 9pm. Otherwise, it's a spot you can come to for dinner and stay all night. read more

Beautiful place with great service. Cocktails are delightful and the food is delicious. read more

​Lounge Eighteen - woman with horns on her head - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

See all

Haven't been inside, don't really have to be to get the general vibe of the place. I live four blocks away and can still hear their music clearly enough to make out the song and the lyrics. It wouldn't be such a bad thing if it was, you know, *good* music. But it's just the usual non-stop, lounge-y, top 40 garbage. The place is crazy loud - even on a Tuesday night I can't walk my dog past the place without an abrasive assault of music, or being blasted in the face with cigarette smoke by some of their charming clientele. Management and owners need to make up their minds - is this a night club, a cocktail lounge, a shisha bar, or a restaurant? Seems super douchey and based on previous reviews, the food and drink isn't worth the trip either. read more

They have good quality hookahs and great music.. must visit if you are looking for a chill time!

They play favourites for you to sit down, so if you don't know the host you won't get a table, waited over an hour and a half and they seated people who showed up after us. Place is pretty pretentious, shame cause if they treated people equally it would be a nice place to hang out cause the music and vibe is not bad. read more

I only go for the Music. It's complete bs that you gotta strong arm the hostess into getting a seat. They claim they don't do reservations after 8pm, however everyone I've been there between 930-1030pm there were tables which were reserved. I like the do's and people watching but seriously they could do better with the shisha and maybe a better system for seating. I pretty much selfseat when I go lol read more

Good service. However the lighting went WAY WAY down partway through our stay. Everyone needed their phone flashlight to see the menu, if a place serves food then customers should be able to read the food/cocktail menu and be able to adequately see the food they are eating. 12 of us and everyone commented (via complaints) about this. Would have been a good experience if it was reasonably lit. read more

They over charged me SIXTY DOLLARS ( on top of gratuity and tip(which they don't tell you is included in the bill))!!! What the ****! Bad bad bad service ! Will not be returning here and I advise that you don't either unless you want to over pay for bad service and really bad shisha. Majorly disappointed! Would give a -1 if I could at this point. read more

Hmmm I think this place is trying too hard to be a high end with the atmosphere and great food but forget to relax people with comfort of shisha, I would love to see this be less formal and more relax just like when you smoke shisha. read more

I feel the place is struggling w their identity. I read somewhere they were going for a prohibition vibe (which was not evident at all). It was like half sports bar, half shisha bar, half nightclub. The reason we walked out was that the drinks were awful. SO sweet. The bartender told us it was her second day on the job. Had to choke down my old fashioned. I expect more for a $15 cocktail. Tasted like it was half syrup. There are way too many brilliant cocktail places in Calgary who focus on quality ingredients for this place to compete at those prices! Didn't try shisha as we couldn't get a seat. Good music, bad drinks. read more