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

The Canadian Brewhouse

1

1200-9650 Harvest Hills Blvd NE, Calgary, AB T3K 0B3

• Phone Number
  • 403-452-5636Primary
• Directions
• Menu

The Canadian Brewhouse in Harvest Hills is a particularly big house. As it’s situated on the high north side of Nose Creek Parkway, this clubby beer mansion comes with an expansive view of the city and the Rockies to the west. Take to its second-floor patio in warm weather.

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Wild Rose Brewery Ltd

2

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

3

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.

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Toad 'n' Turtle Pubhouse and Grill

4

2475 27 Ave NE Calgary Barlow, Calgary, AB T2E 8M1

• Phone Number
  • 403-717-0670Primary
• Directions
• Menu

The Toad’s two Calgary locations distinguish themselves with upper-floor patios and particularly good food. With selections from its on tap beer menu and fine array of scotch, enjoy house-smoked barbecue dishes. Pub-crawlers travel light, so opt for an appetizer, and try the pulled pork poutine or the Maui ribs.

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Swans Of Inglewood Restaurant Ltd

5

1336 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0T3

• Phone Number
  • 403-233-7574Primary
• Directions

A friendly bar and restaurant that makes beautiful use of its historic location in Inglewood’s Carson Block building, Swans is a true pub-crawl gem. Historically significant, its on-tap selection of brews is significantly local, with an ever-changing list of bottled beers to back it up. Try the especially good beer-friendly apps such as devilled eggs, butter chicken taquitos and bacon-wrapped dates.

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.

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