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Ming
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 4 pm - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- Background
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
25 reviews for Ming
Review Highlights
"The ginger beef at Ming is INFAMOUS and IS fabulous."
(in 3 reviews)
"We also shared some sweet potato fries, which were just..."
(in 4 reviews)
"...the delicious yam fries with spicy banana ketchup."
(in 5 reviews)
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25 reviews in English
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Review from Kait K.
Calgary, AB
11/3/2010
Ming is one hot place to go for a date. My husband and I went here on our second date and it was super romantic. A huge list of fabulous cocktails and a great appetizer menu make for a perfect night out.
It is also a great place for a girls nite out. Hardly any other bars or lounges in Calgary have such a great ambience. My favourite thing to order is a glass of Champagne for something like $5.99 and an order of Sweet Potato Fries! Perfectly light snack and my absolute favourite thing to drink.
The theme of the restaurant is Communist which I think is hilarious and makes for a great underground bar. Their mini patios are great for people watching and on a hot summer night you feel like you are in some tropical city enjoying your Chairman Mao cocktail. Highly recommend this place. -
Review from Matt B.
12/1/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Ming is quite the unique place. Atmosphere-wise, it's got a cozy late-night-lounge feel to it. There is a bit of a Communist theme to it, and this is reflected not only in their menu (with sections like "Primary Agenda" and "Processions"), but also in the decor (with pictures of different Communist dictators on the walls). They have some amazing cocktails on their menu, and their ginger beef is what they are known for - it is so very good!
I had come here for a Yelp event, but just had to come back to try out their full menu and experience it outside of an event. So I came here with my girlfriend, and they didn't disappoint.
I don't recall what cocktail I had (unfortunately they don't list them online to be able to go through and figure that out either). For food, I had their Ginger Beef and a Chicken Club sandwich. Their ginger beef is not overly spicy, but it is chock full of ginger, and full of flavor. The club sandwich was not anything overly special, but it was quite tasty.
I will forewarn though - if for some reason you are sensitive to red light, you won't like this place. Their bathrooms have nothing but red lights in them, which is a really weird when you first get into them, and takes some time to adjust.
Otherwise, it is a great place, and I will definitely be back. -
Review from Sabahat N.
Calgary, AB
11/28/2011 3 Check-ins Here
So after my boyfriend and I escaped Vinyl, we drove to Ming because we needed to gather our wits and dignity in a more civilized environment.
It was around 1 am that we arrived here and there was quite a few tables available, thankfully. So we went to the alcove-ish area and got a table. Ming felt like heaven at that point because exactly half an hour earlier I was at Vinyl, and saying that a tacky underage club lit up with tacky blue lights is not my scene would be the understatement of the millenium.
Anyway, our server floated to us like an angel in heaven and informed us that the kitchen was open, which was music to our ears because we were hungry. We promptly ordered a pizza and 2 drinks. My cocktail was a tasty concoction of pineapple, coconut, vanilla and lime juice. We sunk into the deep couches and bathed in the red glowing light and felt sane again. The pizza arrived, we dove in, and I savoured every bite of it. THIS was exactly my scene. And apparently my boyfriend's too, because he commented more than once that he liked 'this place'. Chill music which lets you have a conversation, an ambiance second-to-none, delicious affordable drinks, and a kitchen that stays open late - Thank you for existing, Ming.
And thank you for salvaging what was left of our Saturday night. We can't wait to be back.
26/30 -
Review from Reginald T.
Calgary, AB
11/23/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I'll always have a soft-spot for MING. I used to go often during University as the food and beverages were reasonable and the decor had a charm that appealed to the politico in me, and still does.
It's very intimate, which is nice if you're looking for some place cozy. The fireplaces are definitely nice during the cooler months.
They used to be known for their sweet potato fries with banana ketchup, and used to be one of the only places in the city where you could find sweet potato fries. Now everyone and their dog seems to carry it, but MING still has it as an option on their menu.
My favourite dish is the Red Square burger, partly because of the name, but mainly because of the value in terms of how much you get for what you pay.
Part of the appeal of the venue is it's atmosphere, and in addition to being intimate, they always have some kind of whacky video playing in the background.
MING's only open evenings and late night, but it's a nice, quiet place to hang out with friends if you're looking for a place to chat.
23/30 -
Review from Danelle W.
Calgary, AB
11/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Ming is a great place to visit for cocktails and/or a late-night dinner. We went on a Monday night so it was pretty dead, with just a few tables taken. The drinks at Ming are delish - we had one that was meant to share between two people and found it quite flavourful (I'd try to find the name but I find the website hard to navigate and the drink menu is nowhere to be seen).
I had the spicy chicken stirfry dish over jasmine rice. It could have been a lot spicier - since there was a non-spicy option (teryaki) they definitely could have added a few peppers to the spicy sauce. But there was lots of chicken and the veggies were fresh & massive so all in all it was a great meal, plus I took some home and ate it for lunch the next day!
While leaving, we saw that tables near the front were taken up by a bunch of people who definitely knew eachother and the venue staff. Obviously a 'neighbourhood hangout' for a lot of people - which I didn't expect from this establishment. Kind of cool.
I'd definitely visit Ming again.
(20/30) -
Review from Peter A.
Ottawa, ON
4/8/2011
The decor is actually shoddy, and kitschy. The bathrooms are filthy. Typical Calgary, it's a dive that somehow purports itself as a classy establishment to self-justify its exorbitant drink prices.
Yet, Ming is a good place. Why?
First: Deep-down, Ming knows it's a dirty swill-hole, thus, the staff is extremely friendly. The doorman doesn't treat you like a piece of garbage that's blown in off the street.
Second: The staff can mix a drink that's not on the menu. They can actually take instruction. This alone places Ming above the majority of bars in Calgary.
Third: The gin martinis are great. -
Review from Sarah Louise F.
Calgary, AB
10/16/2011
Some friends and I headed over to Ming last night, after having a good time at last month's Yelp Elite event. We thought it'd be pretty busy on a Saturday night, but we actually had no problem finding a prime table, situated right next to a framed picture of Mr. Joseph Stalin.
I have never really been a cocktail lady, preferring microbrew beer most of the time, but the names are so charming, I couldn't resists. Upon giggling at the names and combinations, and stuck between a few including The Trotsky and The Chairman Mao, I eventually settled for the timeless Karl Marx, a simple vodka (although at Ming, the vodka drinks you), blue curacao, and Sprite. Actually, I eventually settled for a few of those, and a stolen liquor soaked lychee from my lovely and tolerant friend's Chairman Mao.
We also shared some sweet potato fries, which were just fine indeed.
I was not too charmed by the dim, red loungey lighting and the most awkwardly constructed bathrooms ever, but such is life, I suppose.
I will be back to Ming when I'm in the market for some more $10 cocktails, and to make some Communist puns. :)Listed in: vegan friendly in calgary
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Review from Adrianna R.
Calgary, AB
3/22/2011
I think Ming is a great lounge - "have a drink and chill out" venue. The ambience about it is very unique, and hard to find in Calgary. The layout is somewhat "e" shaped, but it gives great variety for your sitting options :) You can sit close to the front door, and see the action on 17th ave, or you can venture off further and sit deep inside ming, tucked away from any distractions. They even have a red light room with a few tables, that can be closed off with huge curtains...definately a nice choice to have a few drinksand have a little make out session withouth anyone ever noticing a thing, in between.
Love the music, love the staff, love the drinks. Perhaps I wish the pricing was a little lighter..but then I guess I would be asking for too much, of a place that already gives so much ;) -
Review from Tiffany N.
9/23/2010 1 Check-in Here
Crystal H chose Ming for us as a happy hour pit stop based on their Yelp reviews. Score one in Calgary for Yelp and for Crystal.
When I sat in Ming sipping my glass of bubbly I felt like I was somehow involved in a covert operation. I mean this in the absolute best way, too. The rooms are dim, with red-hued lights and feel very sexy. The seats huddle around tables making you lean in, as if to tell secrets. The TVs show old movies to distract would-be listeners from overhearing your secrets. If there were any other people around at all that is.
And for all you non-spy people, or people who don't have an overactive imagination like me this spot is awesome for plain old happy hour drinks, too. Besides the cozy interior they have quite a lovely patio to enjoy the short summer days. The service was super, super friendly and the drink menu magnificent. All good things in my book. -
Review from Philippe G.
Calgary, AB
12/3/2010 1 Check-in Here
I have to say it, I love ming, but I would like to see some updates.
The Veggie burger, the ginger beef and the banana Ketchup rock, but...
The cocktails, although great in small doses, don't offer much on the fresh side of things. The trend is healthy and fresh, and some of the "juices" going into a few drinks are quite preserved and unnatural.
**Better direction is needed at the door for seating, you are likely to walk around the whole place bumping to find a seat when a nice greeting by a manager giving you times would be super helpful.
As always I reserve the right to re-review:) -
Review from Mike M.
Calgary, AB
9/8/2010
You'll be hard pressed to find someone in Calgary that doesn't love Ming. The martinis are the best in town and the atmosphere is second to none. If you get yourself a table, then plan on staying all night. The drinks are that good.
I'm taking a single star away because of their terribly small bathrooms. Yes, bathrooms are a re-occurring theme in my reviews because I think they are so important. And Ming's bathrooms are some of the worst. Sure they are relatively clean, but they are the size of tiny closet. If two people are in there it somehow starts to feel like a 70's bathhouse. Not my sorta thing.
But if you have a bladder of steel, you'll love Ming! -
Review from Whoop K.
Calgary, AB
2/21/2011
I love Ming for its dark and edgy vibe. It's in a really great location on 17th ave, which makes it a perfect stop along the way while you're bar hopping.
The drink menu is awesome. They name their drinks after political leaders which I find pretty cute. My favorite is Boutros Boutros - essentially just a chocolate martini but delicious. Food is pretty good too if you need to snack on something. A little overpriced, but that's what you get for a bar sitting in a prime downtown location.
My only beef with this place is their service. I don't let this issue weigh too heavily on my enjoyment of the place though because I go in expecting shitty service now so I can let it slide half the time and their drinks and atmosphere are too cool to ignore.
The servers take forever getting to your table and I find them pretty snotty half the time, where they'll just blatantly ignore your table if they don't like the look of you. One time I was there and the waitress walked by our table of 5 people multiple times before taking our drink order. I had to literally stand up and stop her in her tracks to ask if we were going to get served at all that night because we had seriously waited 20 min. We weren't even hidden in the back corner, we were in plain view sitting in front of the fireplace by the bar.
So, if you're in the mood for some cocktails and a good atmosphere I'd definitely recommend this place. Just don't go in expecting any great service from the staff. -
Review from Mia T.
6/22/2011
This bar has an interesting Asian/Communist theme and is great for groups, but cozy enough for a date.. Great original drinks, always good service and pretty decent food. Can, of course get busy on a weekend, which means a wait. It's gay friendly and has holds a Film Festival once a year..how much cooler does a place get?
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Review from Katie C.
Calgary, AB
11/11/2009 1 photo
Hello Communist Bar! I love edgy lounges with great drinks and tongue-in-cheek humour about political ideologies. I think the dim lighting and subtle red glow of the bar scare a lot of people, but that's cool because the place is pretty full anyways.
There is a great atmosphere of like-minded individuals who want to enjoy some good cocktails, look pretty and celebrate the culturedness. Ming is undoubtedly the place to be cultured in Calgary, what with having it's own manifesto AND film festivals. This place has it all folks, without the pretension or condescension that often accompany it.
The menu is great, and my personal favourite is definitely the delicious yam fries with spicy banana ketchup. Yum! Their drink menu is both extensive and hilarious. The cocktails are all named after people, and though they are expensive they pack a pretty punch. My favourite favourite is the Buddha, and I always try a new one when I'm there. Unfortunately, sometimes I get duped by the cocktail names (Who doesn't want a Lenin cocktail?) and get a drink that isn't quite to my tastes. I've never had a bad cocktail, but I've definitely tried ones that aren't for me. That's the pleasure of the place: they live up to one communist ideal by providing a haven that appeals to a multitude of tastes. Yes, that does mean Colt 45 in a paper bag.
Service has ranged from mediocre to stupendous depending on both servers and time of day, and generally falls into the "really good" category. Ming is a great place to get the night started, and is truly welcoming to all people.Listed in: Sweet Potato = Awesome
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Review from dinah g.
Calgary, AB
11/18/2009 6 photos
Decided to "Ming" it tonight, after reading so many good yelp reviews about the place. The exterior is deceiving, it seems small but what it opens up to is in fact a very large place with lots of seating and great ambiance. The handrails are metal bamboo, and there are plasma TVs and Buddhas throughout.
The red communist party vibe is alive and kicking here. There is a nice portrait of Mao over the toasty fireplace, where I decided to sit in the palm of a giant shaped hand. I was immediately greeted by a friendly waitress who quickly adapted the cocktail menu to a coffee drink because I needed something hot.
My delicious drink managed to come quickly but my friend hadn't yet so I took this time to peruse the cocktail menu: Buddha, Shogun Sour, Norma Jean, Mother Theresa, Che Guevara, Kahuna Manifesto, Napoleon, Ghandi, etc.
I was just about to leave but then my friend came bursting through the doors. Wanting to try another area we decided on a more private space of red lighted tables that made me feel like I was in an Egoyan movie. Here we settled for some yam fries. These were tasty but a bit disappointing for me in size for the price. In fact I found all the appetizers to be a little overpriced.
All in all definitely a nice place to unwind or to maybe coalition in large groups to form a new political party. If not, then certainly a perfect place for a first date. -
Review from Chad W.
Calgary, AB
10/15/2008
Although the communist decor might scare the hell out of any intelligent individuals, this is one of the coolest lounges in the city. The pulsing red lights make one feel as though their walking the surface of Mars. Portraiture featuring the faces of Mao and other communist figureheads envelope the place.
There are tapas on the menu as well as excellent indie rock, electronica, and strange avante garde cinema. Trust me, check this place out. -
Review from Jollean C.
Vancouver, BC
2/18/2009
Honestly, this is my favourite place to go if fabulous drinks, ambiance and conversational verve are on my menu!
The feel of Ming is sexay reds, yellows and blacks with lots of great lil seating nooks to choose from....if you're there before 9:00 PM. Depend on vulturing for a table thereafter. Yes the decor plays from its namesake but it takes a back seat to feeling comfortable amidst a well-dressed but unpretentious crowd mixed up with slick-lounge tunes played against strange films on the TV screens.
Charmingly named martinis like the mango-flavoured Ghandi, banana-milk-kahlua Jane Goodall or the popular fruity Buddha are fun. I love to infuse myself with the fabulous tequila by ordering the salted non-slushy Zapatista Margarita. Feeling adventurous? Try the Shogun Sour with the South American liquer, Pisco or perhaps an ounce of Absinthe. Or bring out the ghetto in yourself and order a Colt 45 -- I heard they even serve it in a brown paper bag. Drinks are the most modestly priced of any lounge on 17th. Martinis are around the $8.50 mark - reasonable against the $13 you'll pay elsewhere. The servers have always been pleasant!
The ginger beef at Ming is INFAMOUS and IS fabulous. The yam fries with banana-ketchup are terrific but there's also edamame, dry ribs, spring rolls etc. and you won't be disappointed with their chicken burger or lil flatbread pizzas either.
This is the place I take dates, meet friends at, bring out-of-towners to.
Yes, I really love it that much. *wink*
Oh, p.s. If you like independent short films, watch for the Ming Short Film Festival or pop by for celebrations at Chinese New Year. -
Review from Robert R.
Calgary, AB
8/18/2010
Excellent choice of Dictator Martinis and tasty beers. Ming has an amazing intimate atmosphere. I have never been disappointed by Ming in any way.
Great place to start the night or even spend the whole night. Good appies, cool decor. A true original. -
Review from Danny F.
Calgary, AB
10/16/2008
Ming is very cool. It's the bar with a faux communist theme and several Iconic (and ironic) drink names. The banana Ketchup served with your fries is odd but worth trying and their cocktails are served in everything from tiki heads to coconuts. The drinks are expensive but loaded with creativity and alcohol so worth it every now and then.
Here's a fun game: When I go I enjoy counting the beards of the patrons because no other bar has a higher percentage
Vashé zdorov'ye comrade! -
Review from Sapna G.
Calgary, AB
9/17/2009 1 photo
Ming is one of my all-time favourite hangouts on 17th Ave.
The atmosphere is sultry, dark, mysterious and inviting. In fact, when I was living in Toronto, I found a restaurant that had the EXACT same vibe & layout. For all you Torontonians, Ming has the SAME vibe & feel as The Queen Mother Cafe on Queen Street West. No, Ming does not serve Pad Thai, but boy do they make mean martinis! I'll admit I've never actually eaten here, but their food looks tempting! Everything from Zucchini sticks, to pot stickers, to sweet potato fries! And yes ladies...they have chocolate lava cake. *Drool*
If I had to describe why I like Ming so much, I could sum it up by saying that it is THE perfect 1st date spot. The lighting sets the mood, the drinks ease the conversation, and the seating ensures that you've got an excuse to sit a little too close to your new friend.
Enjoy. -
Review from Kassim D.
3/28/2010
awesome place....we got the funkiest spots in the bar.
We were all up on the fire place and the chairs were hands with big fingers as the backing. We were in the the palm of their hand - not sure who's hand, but in the palm.
At first the fire, was a little too hot - the waitress (super friendly and noticed our slight discomfort immediately) reached INTO the fireplace and turned it down - AWESOME (she got a big tip).
Drinks were strong and arrived quickly...the bar was basked in red and we had a massive picture of Mao and a cool sculpture deal(in Gold) of Budhha.
Vibe was really great - music was mostly lounge-like (house) and not too loud.
Once you go into the back the place really opens up with more booth like tables (again, all red) and looked super comfy.
We had 12 drinks and got out of there of $70, what a steal...
Not super crowded, not cowboy hats, and right on17th street with lots of other street action to take in.
I will return when I visit the YYC again -
Review from arinn w.
9/21/2010
Ming is, quite possibly, the hippest bar in Calgary. From its ironic communist theme to its knockout cocktails it's completely unique in this city's scene. The food is tasty too: a variety of appetizers to enjoy with your buddhas or lenins. Its decor is inspired, with red lighting and plenty of nooks to sit in and watch the crowd. Two thumbs up from this lady!
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Review from Marla S.
Calgary, AB
6/17/2009
The atmosphere is what keeps luring me back to this delightful venu. Also, I have never been treated with such courtesy by a waiter before in my life. I was ready to propose to the man, but suspected alcohol may have been at work. The martinis are pricey but the indiscriminate drinker can order a 40 in a brown paper bag and feel just as classy. I gave them 4 instead of 5 stars as I ordered a veganized pizza (same pizza, no cheese, more vegis) and it was pretty disappointing.
Listed in: Calgary Spots
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Review from Cornelius V.
Calgary, AB
11/15/2009 1 Check-in Here
It's the commie bar! Nice setup, cool lighting, and the drink list is extensive. I never had any of the food, however. Service is grande and the music is at a volume conducive to interaction! A bit pricy which is funny considering it's a commie bar... Or does communism make everything market-based expensive? I don't remember..
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Review from Adam G.
Calgary, AB
3/7/2009
Decent martini bar.
