Summer sun calls for Patios
The Reflector has you covered this summer with our reviews of Calgary’s best patios
Kari Pedersen, Publishing Editor
A quick guide to Calgary’s best Patios to occupy the dog days of summer
Infographic by:Kari Pedersen
There is nothing better than enjoying the beautiful Calgary summers on a patio with a cold drink. Well, with all the patios reopening their umbrellas, we at The Reflector have done some patio investigation. Look no further to find Calgary’s best patios as we review six of the cities finest.
Cibo, 17th Avenue – Score: 2.5/5
When setting out on this journey, there were a few things that went in to our decision of where to stop, one of the main ones being location, which is what brought us to Cibo. With high expectations for this trendy Calgary go-to, we were thoroughly disappointed. Like many places their were no specials as it was a Saturday, but the drinks were 11 to 12 dollars each, making it a place to enjoy a nice lunch and one drink, and not spend the afternoon soaking in the rays. On top of that the service was nothing spectacular, and even borderline rude. We quickly finished up our lunch and drinks and headed out in search of another option.
The Pint, 17th Avenue – Score: 4/5
When we arrived at The Pint’s rooftop we knew this one was going to be good, with a packed patio, it had to be good. Greeted by our friendly server this was much better than our previous stop. Although again, there were no Saturday specials, drinks were much more moderately priced. Being the hard-hitting journalists that we are, we opted for a table keg, which is 128oz of beer for $39 dollars. They also have “Sunday Funday” which seems pretty great. We ended up spending the rest of the afternoon and evening at the Pint, not disappointed by much that this bar threw our way.
National, 8th Avenue – Score: 4.5/5
This patio is amazing. Nestled on the roof and surrounded by Calgary skyscrapers this is a great place to meet friends for some of National’s amazing on tap beer. This can get pretty crowded and finding a seat is not always easy. Service is alright, but at times can be a bit slow because of the crowds, so it is easier to go right up to one of the bars. A great summer spot, with games to entertain you throughout the day.
Original Joes, Marda Loop – Score: 4/5
If you aren’t feeling like making your way downtown, this OJ’s is an awesome alternative. With a fairly decent sized patio and good service it is not a let down. If you are into wine, head down on Thursday nights for ½ priced bottles of wine. The food is also a plus for Original Joes, and the drinks are fairly cheap, so as a struggling student it is definitely not a shabby place to be.
BAR C – 17th Avenue – Score: 3/5
The patio at Bar C is quite amazing. Super comfy and it feels like you aren’t in Calgary anymore. Located a bit closer to the Saddledome on 17th Avenue, Bar C is a great place to go out for fancy patio day. It is a bit on the expensive side, but a really great atmosphere for a drink or two. A great date-night patio as well.
Earls Tin Palace, 4th Street – Score: 3.5/5
Earls Tin Palace on 4th Street has an amazing Mediterranean themed patio for summer days. With the usual Earls menu it is a great place to grab lunch while having a couple drinks under the sun. The service is always standard at Earls so there is nothing to complain about there. Drinks can be on the expensive side depending on what you order, so stick with specials and you will be able to save a few bucks. The biggest down side to this patio is that it is a chain, rather than a unique Calgary sweet spot.
So get outside and enjoy the summer days while they last and don’t forget to have a drink (or two) for us!
