Shelter Cocktail Bar has officially been named to the North America’s 50 Best Bars extended list, earning a spot in the inaugural 51–100 ranking for 2025. The honour comes from the globally recognized 50 Best organization, whose North American list is selected by over 300 anonymous experts including bartenders, bar owners, writers, and drinks professionals from across the continent.

This is the first year the 50 Best Bars organization has expanded to acknowledge the top 100 bars in North America — and Shelter is one of only a few Canadian establishments included on the list.

Known for its moody, industrial design and boundary-pushing cocktail program, Shelter has become a fixture in Calgary’s bar scene for its balance of creativity and control behind the bar. The team blends culinary technique, thoughtful flavour development, and a sharp design sensibility into a menu that’s constantly evolving. Whether reworking classic builds or diving into modernist cocktail theory, the bar’s approach is both grounded and inventive.

A standout feature of Shelter’s recent program is the Active Aroma Compound menu — a series of cocktails built around specific aromatic profiles and the science of how scent shapes perception. Each drink explores a dominant compound (like terpenes, lactones, or aldehydes), using culinary techniques to amplify or contrast natural aromas through smoke, oils, vapour, and garnishes. The result is a menu that’s not only innovative in flavour but intentionally designed to engage the senses and memory in unexpected ways — a clear reflection of Shelter’s commitment to pushing cocktail culture forward.

Shelter’s recognition on the Top 100 list speaks not only to the quality of the drinks but to the full experience — from the soundtrack and lighting to the glassware, service, and execution.

Shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday in Calgary’s Beltline. Cocktail classes and private bookings available year-round.

For more information, visit shelteryyc.com or follow @shelter.yyc.