6 Best Cocktail Bars in Winnipeg That’ll Make You a Regular After One Visit
While I love downing cold pints at a pub, sometimes, I want to dress up and sip fancy cocktails that are as delicious as they are Instagrammable. There’s nothing like sitting in a plush booth and sipping amazing drinks with friends after a long work week, right?
Of course, nights like that don’t come cheap. So, if you’re in the mood to splurge, it might as well be in one of the best cocktail bars in the city, which we rounded up below.
We’re not talking about trendy, flash-in-a-pan venues; we handpicked places that consistently deliver a high caliber of cocktails you’ll be craving again and again. Scroll down to see our curated lineup.
Patent 5 Distillery and Tasting Room
– Media credit: patent5distillery
Address: 108 Alexander Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0L2
Phone: (204) 808-8614
Business hours:
- Retail Hours
- Monday – Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Wednesday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Cocktail Room Hours
- Wednesday – Saturday: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Must-Order: High-concept seasonal cocktails
Patent 5 Distillery is a Winnipeg-based craft distillery rooted in history, sustainability, and small-batch production. Its cocktail bar is an extension of that philosophy, offering guests a curated drinking experience in a thoughtfully restored historic space.
The cocktail bar is described as hidden in plain sight within Winnipeg’s Exchange District, giving it a speakeasy-like feel without being inaccessible. It is housed in a former Dominion Express Co. building, which adds a strong sense of place and history to the visit.
Inside, the atmosphere leans heavily on reclaimed architectural elements like stained glass, wood paneling, and doors from the historic Oak Room at the St. Regis Hotel. This creates an intimate environment that blends old-world character with modern distillery culture.
The cocktail program focuses on “high concept cocktails” that use culinary techniques and unusual ingredients. These drinks are built around guest preferences and storytelling, but still anchored by a solid foundation of classic cocktail options.
Beyond the drinks themselves, the experience is designed to be immersive, encouraging guests to come for a tour and stay for a drink. Seasonal and locally inspired creations reinforce the distillery’s emphasis on Manitoba identity and craftsmanship.
At its core, the cocktail bar benefits from Patent 5’s broader commitment to small-batch spirits made with locally sourced grains and botanicals. That connection to production gives the drinks a strong sense of authenticity and traceability from farm to glass.
| Pro Tip: A solid pro tip for Patent 5 Distillery’s cocktail bar is to book ahead and time your visit around a distillery tour if you can. The cocktail experience is noticeably richer when you understand the story behind their farm-to-glass approach and the historic building you’re sitting in. |
Thomas Hinds Sampling Room
– Media credit: thsamplingroom
Address: 185 Carlton St #106
Phone: (204) 942-0203
Business hours:
- Mon – Wed: 12 PM–12 AM
- Thurs – Sat: 12 PM–1 AM
- Sunday: 12 PM–10 PM
Must-Order: Breakfast at Tiffany’s
If you’re a cocktail lover with even a passing curiosity for tobaccos, then Thomas Hinds Sampling Room is the spot for you.
Since their niche is cigars and cocktails, I couldn’t resist taking a peek at their premier collection of over 300 cigars from Cuba, Nicaragua, and Honduras. The smell was incredible: you’ll be hit with deep notes of toasted cedar and spice.
But of course, we’re here for the cocktails, which are playfully organized around fun themes like Night at the Movies and Concession Stand. My go-to is their Breakfast at Tiffany’s; it offers rich, layered flavors of dark rum and cognac.
What’s cool is that you can sip your delicious drink while grazing on cheese boards and listening to nightly live jazz. It’s definitely a full sensory experience!
| Pro Tip: Keep in mind that this haunt is popular, so it gets crowded, especially on weekends. You might want to make a reservation or arrive earlier to snag a spot. |
Amsterdam Tea Room and Bar
– Media credit: amsterdamtearoomandbar
Address: 103-211 Bannatyne Ave
Phone: (204) 946-1777
Business hours:
- Mon – Thurs, Sun: 4 PM–12 AM
- Fri – Sat: 4 PM–1 AM
Must-Order: Earl Grey on Safari
The Exchange District’s Amsterdam Tea Room and Bar serves tea-inspired cocktails that can truly knock your socks off.
Yep, their menu is thoughtfully built around tea ingredients, which might seem a bit weird, but don’t worry. Their bartenders and servers are happy to guide you.
A crowd favorite is their Earl Grey on Safari, which balances the botanical punch of gin with the aromatic hint of Earl Grey. If you’re in the mood to discover several flavors, try their Tea Cocktail Flights; the bartender will choose three menu drinks for you.
And if you fall in love with one of their concoctions, they sell a curated selection of loose-leaf teas if you want to make them at home—or at least try to!
| Pro Tip: Don’t miss Happy Hour here, which is pretty generous. It’s on Monday (the whole day!), Tuesday to Sunday from 4 PM to 6 PM, and Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday, from 9 PM to close. |
Sous Sol
– Media credit: soussolwpg
Address: 22-222 Osborne St
Phone: (431) 570-2480
Business hours:
- Wed – Thurs: 5 PM–12 AM
- Fri – Sat: PM–1 AM
Must-Order: Sous Sol’d Fashioned
For French food and cocktails, let’s head on over to Sous Sol. Tucked behind a secret entrance is a cocktail bar with a charming Euro-rustic vibe—imagine gothic candlelight and mismatched vintage decor.
Among their signature cocktails, a must-have is their beautifully layered Sous Sol’d Fashioned, offering the warmth of rye and the nutty depth of sherry. They also have a range of mocktails that are just as yummy as their boozy counterparts.
You could even get cool add-ons like Fire and Fun (your drink lit with fire) for $5 or a Volcano Bowl for $60—perfect for your fun-loving group.
A downside to their popularity is that they’re almost always full, so we recommend booking way in advance.
| Pro Tip: For amazing deals, try to visit from 10:30 PM to close. They have a Late-Night Menu that features $9.99 cocktails and $1.50 oysters. |
The Roost on Corydon
– Media credit: theroostwpg
Address: 651-A Corydon Ave
Phone: (204) 414-9313
Business hours:
- Mon – Thurs, Sun: 4 PM – 12 AM
- Fri – Sat: 4 PM – 2 AM
Must-Order: Dulcet Tones
As a vegan- and gluten-free cocktail bar, The Roost on Corydon has been charming Winnipeggers since 2015, even earning a spot on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants.
They have a hand-drawn seasonal menu and always feature original cocktails; in fact, they’ve made over 500 creations since they opened! I love their Dulcet Tones, a wonderfully aromatic drink, thanks to brown-buttered whiskey and maple syrup.
What’s surprising is that their cocktails are comparatively affordable, ranging from just $15 to $18, unlike other places that start at $18 and shoot up.
As for the atmosphere, it has a charming, kitschy vibe, curated by local artists. You’ll see granite, birch, and emerald green walls, plus a spacious rooftop patio where birds frequently stop by to munch on edible flowers (you read that right).
| Pro Tip: As expected of a really well-known hotspot, booking is tricky, so plan ahead. But once you have a reservation, you’re in for a treat! |
Darling Bar
– Media credit: darlingbarwpg
Address: 171 McDermot Ave
Contact: [email protected]
Business hours:
- Tue – Wed, Sun: 5 PM–12 AM
- Thurs – Sat: 5 PM–1 AM
Must-Order: Espresso Martini
Darling Bar is an Exchange District staple, known for being a candlelit speakeasy.
If you’re into classics done right, their Espresso Martini is the way to go—for me, it strikes the perfect balance of bold and creamy. But for those who love surprises, go for their Bartender’s Choice.
A nice bonus is that all of their cocktails can be paired with their delicious array of fresh charcuterie boards and olives.
I also recommend snagging a spot on their rooftop patio during warmer months. It has one of the dreamiest downtown views in the Peg!
| Pro Tip: Before going there, you should check their Instagram for special events like music nights or art showcases. |