Calgary’s short-but-sweet patio season means Calgarians head out in droves to enjoy the weather with some of the best food and drinks in the city. But it can be hard to truly enjoy it when you know your dog is sitting alone at home. Your furry friends deserve a great patio season too, and while many restaurants allow dogs on their patios (be sure to check in advance), some take things to the next level with perks just for dogs.
Here are some of the best dog-friendly patios with special offerings for you and your pup.
33 Acres Brewing Company
If you’re looking for a cozy and relaxed place to enjoy a pint, stop by 33 Acres. Dogs are welcome on the patio and there are water bowls available. But the main draw here is the ability to curl up next to the wood-burning fireplace and enjoy a bit of peace in the middle of downtown Calgary.
224 12 Ave. S.W., 604-620-4589, 33acresbrewing.com
Bottlescrew Bill’s
One of the main things Bottlescrew Bill’s is known for are its three heated and covered patios, all of which are dog friendly. The staff are happy to bring your pup water while you enjoy one of the many locally brewed BSB beers.
140 10 Ave. S.W., 403-263-7900, bottlescrewbill.com
Cold Garden Beverage Company
Cold Garden loves hosting pups on its sunny, backyard-like patio, and pups love them back. For dogs, this patio is filled with umbrellas to hide from the sun, couches to lounge on (as long as you have a blanket to protect the couches for the next person), water bowls and dog treats, compliments of Cold Garden. If you happen to snap a picture of your dog on the patio, you can post about them using Cold Garden’s Instagram hashtag (#dogsofcoldgarden).
1100 11 St. S.E., 403-764-2653, coldgarden.ca
Four Dogs Brewing
As the name suggests, Four Dogs Brewing is one of the best places to bring your dog to share a drink together (although they only get water, of course). Named after the owner’s four late dogs, the brewery and bar has a small-but-mighty patio where dogs are not only allowed, but encouraged. Treats and water are offered to dogs. A portion of each beer sale is donated to Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society.
1205 1 St. S.W., 403-874-2681, fourdogs.ca
The Mash
The Mash offers something special for its doggy visitors. Along with its pizzas for humans, which are made with spent-grains leftover from the beer-making process, this restaurant offers Pawsome Pizzas specifically for dogs on its dog-friendly patios at the 17th Avenue, Kensington, Legacy, Mahogany and Chestermere locations. This puppy pizza is made from dog-friendly ingredients, with a crust made with spent grain and oats and toppings like pumpkin, chicken, red pepper and mozzarella cheese. Plus, one dollar from every pizza sold goes towards supporting Alberta Animal Rescue Society.
Five Calgary locations, masheats.ca
Model Milk
This restaurant has long served some of Calgary’s best food, and you can experience it on the sunny, south-facing patio with your pup. This 17th Avenue S.W. spot has water bowls and treats for your dogs when you dine there, too.
308 17 Ave. S.W., 403-265-7343, modelmilk.ca
Ranchmans Cookhouse & Dancehall
Head to Ranchman’s on Friday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for Furry Fridays, an all-ages event where you can bring your pup for a patio date to enjoy some live music, a special dog menu and more. There are also dog-focused local businesses selling items, and dogs up for adoption (if you don’t have one of your own yet). Plus, bringing your dog will get you 10 per cent off your bill at the end of the night.
9615 Macleod Tr. S., 403-978-8787, ranchmans.ca
Village Ice Cream
Dogs need ice cream too! At least, if you could ask them, that’s what they’d say. Thankfully, Village recently launched a carrots and cream ice cream flavour (available until August 31) made just for pups. So now, your canine friend can enjoy a cup of dog-friendly ice cream (topped with an apple dog biscuit) on the patio at all five Village locations. All of the locations have at least one bench you can sit on, though some have more expansive patio areas. One dollar from every scoop and pint of this flavour supports the Canadian Animal Task Force.
Five locations, villageicecream.com
Vin Room
The patios at Vin Room’s three Calgary locations (excluding the Mission location’s second rooftop patio) offer dog-friendly amenities like water bowls, doggy clean-up stations and dog beds. Vin Room also has special events for you and your dog like Pooches & Prosecco, which includes two drinks, a gift bag and a training session on the patio, or the Pooches Patio Paw-ty, a four-course tapas tasting menu for you and a four-course menu for your pup.
Three Calgary locations, vinroom.com