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Jennifer Toole
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T  he Mile One Tavern, which opened up in September 2007, was initially launched as a supperclub. Co-owner Ramsey Haymour realized that Calgarians were over the whole club scene and needed a party experience more akin to the supperclub phenomena that had spread through Montreal over the last decade. Apparently Calgarians aren’t quite ready for Montreal-style partying.
With its recent complete identity change, signified by the loss of Chef Kip Chou (Mango Shiva) and a shift from “supperclub” to “urban tavern,” Mile One has been re-primed, re-released and ready for summer.
The tavern is a huge, 7500 square foot open concept bar/restaurant with lots of TVs, pot lights and stone pillars. The menu was edited considerably when Chou left but he did leave behind a couple tasty Chou-esque options. The Butter Chicken ($17.95), for example, was Chou’s creation. A juicy tandoori chicken breast is nestled onto a bed of fresh veggies and basmati rice and then the entire dish is lovingly smothered in homemade butter sauce for a smooth finish.
The tamarind-flavoured fish and chips ($16.95) and the tandoori chicken flatbread appetizer ($13.95) are also left over from Chou’s reign. The rest of the menu, sadly, doesn’t compare. Pork ribs, chicken wings, Caesar salad, nachos and burgers make up the remainder of the confused menu. Indian cuisine meets pub fare?
The clientele at Mile One tends to be a very corporate crowd who pile in for business lunches or Happy Hour. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights the house DJ starts spinning at 10pm at which point the dinner tables are slowly pushed out of the way making room for a makeshift dance floor.
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 AT A GLANCE
Mile One Tavern
1140-10th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB
403-229-1118
Downtown
Venue:
Bar, Restaurant
Hours:
Daily from 11am - 2am
Price Range:
$$$ (Within Reach)
Payment:
Master Card, Visa , American Express
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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8 Reader Reviews | I have gone to this lounge 3 times in my life (all for bdays) and it was horrible all three times. Keep in mind, I'm a girl and half asian but the bouncers only seem to let in obvious full asians even if their extremly unattractive.
The first time I went I had to wait in line for atleast 35 mins, only to walk into an almost empty bar. There were probably only 20 people inside including the bartenders and dj. It was a very pathetic attempt to make the bar look hype from the outside. The music was alright and 60% of the people were asian.
The second time I went I was on the guestlist. no line no cover before 1030. I got there around 10:10 and was told by the bouncer to go to the back of the line and wait. I finally got in through the doors but had to wait for the people infront of me to figure out what they wanted to do with their jackets. When I finally went to tell the entry girl I was on the guestlist, she said it was 10:32 and that I would have to pay the 10 bucks. This girl saw me waiting for atleast 3 mins. Mile one does not honor their no line no cover guestlists. The music as alright and 85% of the people were asian.
The third night was the easiest to get in because I was with another girl and no guy this time. 98% of the people there were asian. i have seen many creepers in the bar scene but this night was the worst ever. There were probably only 12 hot chicks on the dance floor...then maybe 35-40 sweating guys with boners surrounding them. they didnt even stand at the side of the bar to look casual. they just stare with their hands in their pockets. Its gross. but other than that the music was alright. kinda reminds me of cherry lounge when they played a super good song for only 10 secs and then change it. its hard to enjoy dancing when you only got 6-10 secs of a good song then it changes to a lame one. they could atleast play each song a bit longer.
2 out of these 3 nights there was a fight outside where the cops would get involved.
i dont see why anyone would want to go to this lounge for a fun night out. there are better bars out there. Muliculturalism is the way to go.
1. M's Review :: August 22, 2009 M's Rating: Stars |
It is the most vile, disgusting piece of restaurant ever. Where in the world could a person give Mile One anything more than a )?
2. Dale E's Review :: July 11, 2009 Dale E's Rating: 1 Stars |
I went to Mile One on a Friday in March 2009. I was on a guest list for my friends birthday, and we were all promised no line, no cover before 10:30. I arrived at 10:00, and the bouncer told me to go to the back of the "guest list line". The next several groups of people were on guest lists and were told to go to the back of the line as well. They only had one line, and the people not on guest lists were lined up in front/behind people on guest lists. A large group of Asians came and walked to the very front of the line, talked to the bouncer and then just stood at the front of the line. I'm used to this, but I do not expect it to happen when I am on a guest list, and promised no line. Not including all the Asians they let into the very front of the line, they let at least 40 more just walk in. Most didn't even know the bouncer, talk to them, shake hands, etc. And I am not talking hot chicks, they generally just let any Asian over 30 walk in.
So finally when I got to the point were you pay, I said I was on a guest list and had arrived at 10, they sarcastically said it was past 10:30 and I had to pay $10 cover. There was no reason for making people on guest lists line up, the club was half empty.
Not to be racist, but inside it was a total Asian fest. There were about 250 people at the most crowded time that night, about 15 were white people, and maybe 15 or 20 were kinds of brown. The rest were Asian.
On another note, every single time I bought a drink the bartenders cheated me. Most of the time they only owed me 25,50,75 cents and didn't even bother to offer change, (what the f was i still standing there for?). They also payed me incorrect change three times, trying to steal $1, twice and $2 once. They payed me the rest when I told them to.
The music was good, and everything inside was nice, but this was my most annoying bar experience.
3. Anonymous's Review :: March 28, 2009 Anonymous's Rating: 1 Stars |
This place is absolutely awesome especially on Friday Nights where Netcandi.com runs Blush Fridays. The word out there and witnessed it myself but they had a record night for patrons at the bar!! Netcandi alone has lifted Mile One Urban Tavern to become the hot spot for Friday nights.
4. George's Review :: August 23, 2008 George's Rating: 4 Stars |
Very pleasant atmosphere. Extremely attentive staff. Food is simple as for a bistro style but excellent. Not pretentious. Loved it.
5. James Robb's Review :: June 06, 2008 James Robb's Rating: 4 Stars |
I visited Coquine with two friends to celebrate my friend's birthday.
When we arrived it was quite busy at the bar. We were told that it would be a 20 min. wait for a table. It took an hour to get seated but we had a blast at the bar! We chilled out and had some drinks. The owner was kind enough to give us a round of shots while we waited too. I enjoyed the atmosphere, trendy, casual but not too casual, and lots of cute men surrounded us! I have to say the food was excellent. I ordered the steak frites and let me tell you, the steak was cooked to perfection and the fries were the most amazing fries I have ever tasted in my life! Although it was super busy in there and quite loud, we managed to have an excellent dinner and will definately go back this summer to eat and hang out at the bar. The location is a cool location, right in the heart of midtown! I recommend the steak frites, definately better than the Keg! We need more cool places like Coquine around midtown.
6. Anonymous's Review :: May 17, 2008 |
Although the food is worth returning for, the service definately needs improvement! Our order was entered in the computer incorrectly and when it was mentioned to the server, he began to argue! Not a pleasant experience when you're hungry.
I would order take out.
7. Anonymous's Review :: May 16, 2008 |
don't ever go to this restaurant!! it's way over priced, too dark, too loud and too crapped up. the food you get is not worth it at all for the price that you pay. i had the seafood fettucini and it tasted nasty, the noodles were under cooked and it was too sweet! eeewww... it made me lose my appetite!! you will totally regret it if you go to this restaurant. it's the worst restaurant i've ever been to! there's so many other good seafood restaurants out there. i don't understand how they can charge that much in a shiety restaurant! tsk tsk. :(
8. Anonymous's Review :: May 02, 2008 |
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1140-10th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB |
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MBO Calgary :: Calgary Nightlife & Clubs
