Must-stop pub-crawl destinations in Calgary

As getaways go, an evening of bar hopping has it all. Socializing with friends while sampling new brews and the latest chicken wing flavours sounds like a vacation to me. And who knows? Hitting multiple venues increases your chance of meeting someone special along the way. When you plan your next pint-sipping mini-holiday, call at these ports of crawl.

By Ian Doig

Wild Rose Brewery Ltd

1

15-5505 72 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2C 3C4

• Phone Number
  • 403-720-2733Primary
  • 1-866-720-2733Tollfree
• Directions

Located in an old military Quonset hut at the Currie Barracks, The Wild Rose Brewery Taphouse is just plain cool. Under its arched roof, enjoy house-brewed beers on tap and make sure to order food. The kitchen’s homey pub grub is a cut above. In warm weather, the building’s big garage-door west wall opens wide, turning the entire place into an outdoor patio.

Barley Mill Bow River

2

201 Barclay Parade SW, Calgary, AB T2P 4R3

• Phone Number
  • 403-290-1500Primary
• Directions
• Menu

On the west side of Eau Claire Market, this cozy converted house holds a surprising number of patrons. Plenty of foot traffic between downtown and Prince’s Island makes for especially good people watching until sunset. In summer, this cheery pub features multiple patios both at sidewalk level and upstairs.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• Dinner and a movie at CIFF in Calgary

More from Ian Doig

Ian Doig’s week may include dim sum lunch with friends, rummaging through indie bookstore shelves as well as scribbling in his notepad at Calgary shops and farmers’ markets. It most often concludes with a relaxing Friday evening pint of locally brewed craft beer.

Terrific taco spots

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10 hot and tasty summer food festivals

The city’s summer season features a delicious dance card of culinary festivals and events. Many, such as Stampede-time pancake breakfasts, are easy to access the day of, but the various tasting and tippling shindigs listed here can fill up quickly, so purchasing tickets sooner than later for these foodie festivities is recommended. Image credit: iStock.com/kasto80.

Cycling pathway pit stops

The city’s pathway system is one of the longest in North America. Given its lengthy stretches, the occasional rest and snack stop, though few and far between, are a welcome sight when walking, biking and inline skating. Here are a few restaurants, cafés and snack shacks located on or near our scenic cycling system. Image credit: iStock.com/mihailomilovanovic.