Bonterra Trattoria
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The first time I dined on Bonterra’s patio, more than a decade ago, I felt like I’d been whisked away to a tucked-away terrace in Tuscany. The enclosed space — complete with lush plants and whimsy string lights — paired with plates of homemade focaccia, briny olives and crisp caprese completely transported me for the evening. It’s been a favourite ever since. This summer, Bonterra made some upgrades to its patio, adding fresh paint and swapping weathered black tables and chairs for sage green ones. I can’t wait for my next glass of rosé in this oasis on 8th Street. —Dominique Lamberton, managing editor
Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Company
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Located in the heart of Inglewood is Ol’ Beautiful, a local brewery that was a runner-up on Avenue’s best pubs in Calgary list. Along with great beer, great service and an indoor, full-service bar with a great vibe, the brewery also has a fabulous outdoor patio. In the summertime, Ol’ Beautiful becomes an open concept brewery with a wide open garage door so customers can walk in and out with a craft beer in hand. Decorated with picnic tables and fairy lights, customers can also bring an A1 Cantina burrito or tacos to enjoy on the patio. Ol’ Beautiful is dog friendly and located right beside Cold Garden, which offers yet another great outdoor patio. —Gabby Cleveland, editorial intern
Socality House
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As an apartment dweller without a backyard to relax in, I instantly fell in love with Socality House’s casual and cozy back patio, which launched earlier this summer. The local café has transformed its backyard space into a relaxing oasis, complete with strings of lights, greenery, comfy lounge chairs from Sundays and wood benches. So the next time you’re on 17th Avenue S.W., order one of the shop’s summer drinks — I personally enjoy the maple coconut cold brew — and head to the back patio to relax under the shade of the tree. —Alana Willerton, senior digital editor
Wild Rose Brewery
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Just a short walk away from Mount Royal University, Wild Rose Brewery was a staple in my university days. Some of my fondest memories have been great conversations with way too many people crammed onto an outdoor picnic table as the sun set behind us. As someone who, at the time, was new to the world of craft beer, I found the wraspberry ale to be a refreshing introduction that I still happily order today. Wild Rose Brewery also has a fantastic food menu of meals and shareables alike, which I think is an important quality in a bar or pub (my personal favourite are the nachos). Not everyone wants to drink, and there should be options available that still make the experience enjoyable! As an added bonus, the unique location means that you can avoid downtown parking. —Kendall Bistretzan, special projects intern
Avenue’s writers and editors are occasionally invited to experience dining or adventure experiences as a guest, including some of the experiences in this story. Neither complimentary experiences nor advertising are required for coverage in Avenue. Neither companies that advertise nor those that provide other incentives are promised editorial coverage, nor do they have the opportunity to review or approve stories before publication.