Calgary’s new hidden eight-seat speakeasy will open soon, here’s how to snag a spot

A new parlour-style speakeasy is opening in Calgary, and it will take some fast fingers to score a reservation.

If you’re a foodie in Calgary, you’ve probably heard of EIGHT. In this tiny dining room, which holds just eight diners at a time, guests experience a multi-course menu that aims to showcase Canadian cuisine in a fresh and innovative way.

Now, the chef behind the elusive concept, Darren MacLean, is gearing up to open After Eight, a tiny speakeasy that offers EIGHT guests the chance to begin or end their culinary journey in a brand-new space.

The eight-seater speakeasy is hidden within the Alt Hotel East Village. It provides a space for guests at EIGHT to launch themselves into the spirit of the evening ahead of making their way to the restaurant’s dining counter.

However, with just eight seats per sitting, many Calgarians will know that securing a seat at EIGHT is as tricky as getting into a Taylor Swift show.

The restaurant books seasonally, and if you’re keen to experience both EIGHT and After Eight as soon as possible, the next block of reservations for April, May, and June 2025 will open on February 15 at noon MT, so be sure to mark your calendars.

After Eight

Address: 631 Confluence Way SE, Calgary

ChefDarren MacLean