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9 Dog-Friendly Patios in Calgary Both Hoomans and Doggos Will Enjoy
I know fellow furparents will agree with me that our furbabies are part of the family and therefore belong to family lunches and dinners. This is why, as a longtime pet owner, I’ve always looked at restaurants in Calgary with dog-friendly patios with the highest regard.
Fortunately, this beloved city doesn’t fall short of these foodie spots, and I couldn’t count on one hand how many of them I discovered through one of my walks with my dog. Furthermore, they offer amazing food that I’m sure you and your best pal will love as well!
Also, as someone who loves taking in views, I always intend to get a patio table anyway. So, to help you find your next date spot with your furbaby, my dog and I have looked (and sniffed) through the best dog-friendly patios in Calgary!
Prairie Dog Brewing
Media credit: prairiedogbeer
Address: 105D 58 Ave SE
Contact details: +1 403-407-2448
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Prairie Dog Brewing will greet you and your furbaby with its cosy and welcoming ambience and lingering aroma of smoky meat! With perfectly grilled dishes like pulled pork, ribs, and sausages, this place doesn’t fail to make my dog (and me) turn into rabid carnivores.
The main star of their menu, however, is the slow-cooked Alberta-certified Angus beef brisket. It’s extremely juicy and tender, to the point where you can shred it with your fork—oh, and it’s perfectly seasoned with only salt and pepper.
It would also be a crime to mention this place without highlighting its selection of original draft beer. They offer everything from lagers to ales and feature a rich blend of natural ingredients like ginger, honey, etc.
Pro tip:
If you can’t decide which flavour to pick from their tap, we recommend building your own flight! This lets you mix and match up to 6 drinks from their selection to get a little taste of everything.
The Porch
Media credit: porchyyc
Address: 730 17 Ave SW.
Contact details: +1 587-391-8500
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM
The Porch is one of my go-to brunch spots with my friends because of their expansive menu and overall laid-back vibe. As much as possible, we always get patio seating, primarily because of the swing chairs and Instaworthy decor.
You and your dog won’t have to worry about satisfying both your taste buds and hunger here, as the dishes are flavourful and feature generous serving sizes. For instance, if you’re looking for a meaty feast, we recommend their sirloin steak, but if you want seafood, go for the salmon!
The Porch also has their own line of beers that caters to different tastes. One of our favourites that we recommend for day drinking is their “Only Having One” cocktail, a refreshing blend of vodka, soda, white cranberry, and Fernet Hunter.
Pro tip:
If you want to order a dessert that both you and your dog will enjoy, we recommend getting their carrot cake. It features a unique combination of cashews, coconut cream, and candied oranges!
Cold Garden Beverage Company
Media credit: cold_garden
Address: 1100 11 St SE
Contact details: +1 403-764-2653
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Cold Garden Beverage Company should be on your radar if you’re mostly looking to try new types of alcoholic drinks. For starters, they offer a wide array of beers, among which is their iconic “Gatorale”, which will keep you hydrated and give you a buzz afterwards.
We’re also huge fans of their “Bevies”, which are these unique cocktails that may seem refreshing and sweet at first, but will leave you walking in curves after a couple of sips. We especially love the peach cider bellini slushy, which is the perfect summer cocktail.
If you’re wondering how your dog fits into all of this, you must know that they also offer snacks! Their mainstays are the tacos, but they’ll regularly hold events like “Pancake Party”, where they’ll offer the titular dish along with other breakfast staples like bacon and sausages.
Pro tip:
Check out their events page to discover upcoming concerts and gatherings!
Bottlescrew Bill’s Pub
Media credit: bottlescrewbills
Address: 140 10 Ave SW.
Contact details: +1 403-263-7900
Operating hours: Daily from 11:30 AM to 2:00 AM
Cost: $$
Website
Menu
Bottlescrew Bill’s Pub is one of those patios that truly knows how to throw a party. To perfectly understand what I’m talking about, try visiting during the Calgary Stampede, where you’ll see live acts day in and night out!
When we’re not here to party, however, it’s always to get some hearty meals that my dog and I are guaranteed to enjoy. My personal go-to is the steak sandwich because of its juiciness and tenderness, but my dog seems to like the Alberta elk burger more.
We also appreciate how they offer a homemade dessert that’s also safe for dogs in the form of a saskatoonberry pie. Plus, I’m sure your dogs will love slurping the scoop of vanilla ice cream served on top of this rich dessert!
Pro tip:
Want to earn a little extra on the side? Try your luck on their Beer Bingo, held every other Wednesday from 7:00 PM.
LOCAL Public Eatery 8th Avenue
Address: 310 8 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403-264-7808
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Friday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM
LOCAL Public Eatery 8th Avenue caught my attention during one of our walks because of its vibrant patio. It was bustling with warm outdoor lighting, dogs chilling by the patio, and people jamming to lively music with drinks in their hands.
We fell in love with the place even further when we discovered their signature “LOCAL” burger, which consists of two patties. I always give the other patty to my dog, and while he virtually just inhales it, I revel in the flavour, especially with the caramelised onions and American cheese.
Even with their selection of hearty meals, however, we feel like the main star of their menu is their drinks! They offer staples like Aperol spritz, Negronis, and margaritas, as well as a wide variety of homemade draft beer.
Pro tip:
If you’re visiting with friends, refer to the “Group Activity” section on their menu. It features creatively themed cocktails, shots, and drink towers that are perfect for sharing with friends.
Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey
Media credit: haydenblockyyc
Address: 1136 Kensington Rd NW
Contact details: +1 403-283-3021
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM
- Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM
Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey is one of our top picks due to its amazing selection of perfectly grilled meats. A prime example of this is their burnt ends, which are the fatty points of the brisket that have turned into bite-sized, melt-in-your-mouth meat chunks.
They also offer perfectly grilled chicken, which is a surefire hit among the doggo community. If you’re visiting with friends, however, we recommend ordering a tray of their tacos, which also includes their slow-cooked brisket.
Also, as you may have gleaned from its name, this place features one of the best whiskey collections in Calgary. You can either get them on the rocks or use them as an essential ingredient in one of their cocktails, like the old-fashioned and Kentucky mule.
Pro tip:
Keep an eye out for their monthly act lineup on their Instagram! Their live music events happen every Friday and Saturday in their hall upstairs.
Kensington Pub
Address: 207 10A St NW
Contact details: +1 403-270-4505
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Friday: 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM
- Saturday: 10:30 AM to 1:00 AM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM to 11:00 PM
The Kensington Pub is a must-visit for every pub crawl itinerary in Calgary because of its wide variety of draft beer on tap and cocktails. We especially love their beer selection, as they offer brands from different countries, like Guinness and Strongbrew Cider.
These cold drinks, paired with their relaxing dog-friendly patio, are a match made in heaven! It’s one of the best places to chill with your dogs, as you both enjoy one of the restaurant’s English-inspired dishes like bangers and mash, beef and Yorkshire pudding, and fish and chips!
If you’re coming with kids, you can also get the pub’s signature four-cheese grilled cheese. Personally, we love getting the KP Double Smash Burger because of its double meaty patty and soft brioche bun.
Pro tip:
You can hit two birds and check out Hexagon Board Game Cafe before ending the night at Kensington Pub. This way, you can enjoy a competitive game of Monopoly or any other game you and your friends prefer before drinking the night away.
Dairy Lane Cafe
Media credit: fratellocoffeeroaster
Address: 319 19 St NW
Contact details: +1 403-283-2497
Operating hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Cost: $$
Website
Menu
If you love walking your dogs in the morning, then Dairy Lane Cafe should be your next breakfast/brunch spot. This place will treat you and your doggos to some classic early morning meals, from waffles to bacon, eggs Benedict, and more!
My go-to order here is the “Triple Double”, which I can share with my dog because we both love sausages, hash, and eggs. If you’re leaning more towards healthier options, however, you won’t be disappointed with their baked oatmeal and yoghurt.
As far as drinks go, you can either go the traditional route and order some coffee, or if you’re visiting at night, get their cocktail shakes! Meanwhile, if your dog gets thirsty, you can refill their bowls provided by the restaurant.
Pro tip:
Before or after visiting this restaurant, you can spend your dog’s energy at the nearby Queen E Playground.
Leopold’s Tavern Calgary – Bowness
Media credit: leopoldstavern
Address: 6512 Bowness Rd NW
Contact details: +1 855-522-5367
Operating hours: Daily from 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM
Cost: $$
Website
Menu
We have a feeling that you and your dog will tag team over Leopold’s Tavern’s dishes because of their generous serving sizes and meaty flavours. One of the best examples of this is their Hickory Stack Brisket Burger, which is overloaded with a chuck patty and smoked brisket.
Another bestseller is the Baja tacos, which you can choose between having shrimp, chicken, or avocado as the filling! They pair perfectly with their buffalo chicken poutine, which perfectly blends spiciness with richness and savouriness.
While you’re at the patio, we also recommend getting one of their cocktails to enjoy a relaxing afternoon drinking session, or morning (we don’t judge here). One of their best offerings is the “Blue Lagoon”, which is a simple combination of vodka, curacao, and lemonade.
Pro tip:
If you can’t get enough of their wings, visit on Wednesdays to get them at half the regular price!
