I began taking photos of Milk Tiger Lounge as the sun was setting outside, but then the dapper bartender/owners started serving me their delicious cocktails and the rest is history.
The lounge is as polar opposite as you can get from the space formerly occupied by A Bar Named Sue, as well as from the sports bars and pubs a stone’s throw away on 17th Avenue SW.
You won’t find the Flames on big screens, peanut shells on the ground, baseball caps (they’re prohibited) or many hoochie get-ups (I wish they were banned) here.
Instead, Milk Tiger is a throw-back to days when people would relax over cocktails with their friends or dates, or slide into a seat at the bar, take off a fedora, and chat with the bartender.
The menu is full of drinks I’d only ever heard mentioned in black and white movies — Old Fashioned, Rusty Nail, Harvey Wallbanger (2 oz. $9.04).
The Sazerac (bourbon or cognac with sugar and Peychaud’s bitters — which took six months to source from the U.S.) dates back to pre-Civil War New Orleans and is said to be the first cocktail ever invented in America.
My Pimm’s Cup (Pimm’s No. 1 gin, soda, cucumber) was really good — and strong. It wasn’t until I awoke bleary-eyed the next morning that I realized the standard pour for Milk Tiger’s cocktails is 2 oz.
While the cocktail menu is a focus, there’s also a well-chosen wine list (with 2 oz. tasters), martinis, bottled beers, Brooklyn Pilsner, Guinness and Strongbow on draught — and Pabst Blue Ribbon by the can.
Food menu
I love the food menu, anchored by a list of petites bouchées (little bites) priced at $1.50 each or a platter for $15. It’s not a place for dinner, but will more than satisfy those inter-drink snack cravings.
Steak tartare on a cucumber slice was refreshing; pear and caramelized onion on a Japanese rice cracker had nice textures; a spicy pork bundle with tomato and garlic paste exploded with flavour.
My favourite though is the cheeky spaghetti and meatball on a stick, a large ball of tasty, lean meat with spaghetti pieces baked inside, and the bocconcini tomato crostini.
Also featured here is the new lounge staple of sharing cheese (no doubt from Janice Beaton from Springbank Cheese Co.) or meat plates with condiments and crostini ($15-$22).
Sweet tooths will appreciate the full-sized fresh waffles ($8) or spicy chocolate brownie cake.
I can already list favourite parts of this tiny hideaway: the attentive, unpretentious service, the wooden moose head, the flower vases built into the wall, and the really comfortable black chairs near the front door.
Jenaya, who introduced me to Milk Tiger on her birthday, admitted to visiting five days in a row when it first opened, the streak stopped only because it’s closed on Mondays.
Milk Tiger Lounge, 1410-4th St. SW, Calgary, (403) 261-5009. Twitter: milktigerlounge.
No big sign; look for the graffiti tag. Open 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Closed Mondays. Food menu until 11 p.m.
As the name of my blog suggests, I will pretty much eat anything.
I’m partial to meats but will suffer fruits and vegetables.
I dedicate this to people who love to eat, and find art in their meals. If this blog piques your interest at least once, then I’m happy as a goldfish that eats til it explodes. 
I didn’t know that A Bar Named Sue was gone! I wrote a piece on them for CalgaryPlus.ca back in the day… will have to try this new place out – Thanks!
Huh. Sounds like an interesting place. Never been.
I miss A Bar Named Sue. At the same time, this seems like a good place to go to after a hard day’s work. I do hope it does well in taking Sue’s place
did you know the owner of the duke before the bar name sue
Milk Tiger is awesome.. Highly recommended..
Oh, the thought of drinks out… And an Old Fashioned…
Tried it last Thursday after work. One word – Fantastic!!
Just a quick heads up about the cheeses at Milk Tiger. They are from Springbank Cheese Company, not Janice Beaton.
Milk Tiger is a worthy replacement of Bar named Sue. I love Milk Tiger.
I’ve been there twice. So far I really liked the atmosphere and friendly staffs. I recommend more than Bar named Sue…since this new bar is much more cleaner
I have been here once. The staff is super friendly and they have a whole variety of cocktails – more than any other place in Calgary. My only dissapointment was that their Moscow mules arent as good. The best Moscow mules in Calgary are at The Oak Room in the Fairmont Palliser.