I drive to and from Calgary fairly often, which means I’ve become well-acquainted with the stretch of buildings along Gateway Boulevard and Calgary Trail. Slowly but surely, I’ve watched vacant lots give way to new buildings with restaurants, shops and spas. The newest spot on this strip is a premium cocktail lounge north of 34th Avenue and Gateway Blvd.
Curious about this new addition to south Edmonton, I decided to take a couple of friends to check out Aura Cocktail Bar.
Aura greets you with a massive, sparkly jaguar mural — a not-so-subtle hint that this cocktail bar was built to leave an impression. The space looks and feels sleek, moody and futuristic.
We are seated at a table close to the large backlit bar, and offered water three ways: tap, or glasses of still or sparkling (at an additional charge) — the first hint that Aura takes its beverages seriously.
Former Torontonian and owner, Pawan Chawlani, was inspired by the kinds of high-end bars he and his friends would go to prior to his move to Edmonton in 2022. He felt a theatrical and inventive bar, where a cocktail is far more than something you pour in a glass, was missing from this city.
Case in point: the “Forest of Herbs” a signature cocktail is served in a terrarium with a bed of real moss, a glass and a small bowl holding a frozen gel-like syrup. As the server poured my cocktail, dry ice fog spilled from the glass like a witch’s potion brewing in the woods.
Then I got to tasting it — a cucumber-infused gin concoction with thyme syrup, celery-infused Lillet Blanc, Benedictine, lime, lavender bitters, elderflower snow, Becherovka gel, basil mint and an orange blossom mist. It was herby and spirit-forward. The syrup was meant to be spooned and sipped alongside the cocktail, but I opted to skip the middleman and pour it directly into our drinks.
We also tried the Evening Reign, a purple vodka-based drink with Grand Marnier, lemon juice, ube syrup, vanilla extract and orange blossom mix. It was a favourite at the table — sweet, fruity, and full-bodied. Purple was definitely the colour of the evening; next was the Purple Sky, made with Empress Gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, crème de violette and butterfly pea flower syrup, garnished with a strip of mango leather. It had a subtle, floral-nutty taste thanks to the maraschino and a light, elegant finish.
For dessert, we split the matcha tiramisu — a creamy, fluffy dish dusted with matcha powder and served with fresh strawberries. Well-balanced and not overpowering, it was a great way to cap off the night.
The bar has an atmosphere that teeters on being a nightclub: geared toward a younger, extravagant crowd who, in time, may make the words “Meet me at Aura” a local status symbol. Reservations are recommended on weekends, as this fun indulgence is already resonating with curious cocktail enthusiasts.
Aura Cocktail Bar
Strathcona Industrial Park | 3759 Gateway Blvd NW, Edmonton | 877.352.1650 | aurathecocktailbar.ca
