Anyone who lives in Alberta and considers themselves a cocktail aficionado will likely agree that Proof–located on the corner of 13th Avenue S.W. and 1st Street S.W. in Calgary–is one of the best spots in the province to grab a drink. The swank-meets-cozy establishment serves a spectrum of classic cocktails that are always on point, but it is the cocktail innovation behind the beer here that has garnered the concept as one of the top bars in the entire country according to awards systems such as Canada's 50 Best Bars.
“We loved the name as it was tied to the history of [spirits]. We were trying to get our guests to recognize both the history of cocktails as well as the old world recipes and techniques we focus here at the bar”, says co-owner Jeff Jamieson.
In the past, the “proof test” was used to determine if the amount of alcohol found in spirits a merchant was selling were of sufficient standard. It is said that people would soak a gun pellet in a spirit and then try to ignite it. If it contained the correct percentage of alcohol, it would create enough energy to release and light the gunpowder in the pellet, wherein showing proof.
He goes on to say that they had other suitable names as possibilities for the bar prior to it opening in June 2015, however once "Proof" came around, it was instantaneously cemented and, well, the rest is history!
Proof reopens for dine-in service on February 8. Until then, you can order their cocktail kits and line of canned cocktails online.
