Need to know where the best places to drink near the Calgary Stampede grounds are?
The Calgary Stampede is here, which means meeting up with friends before heading to the grounds.
Whether you’re looking for a place to go before or after the Stampede, be it for a meal or just a few drinks on a patio, it’s essential to know what’s walkable and what you may need a ride to.
Here are more than 40 places to drink near the Calgary Stampede grounds, within 15 minutes or less of walking time for your convenience.
Pigeonhole
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This place is SO close to the grounds. Anytime is good, but we suggest going here for the amazing weekend brunch or the late-night menu with cheap oysters and hot dogs after a day at the Midway.
Address: 306 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
33 Acres Brewing
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This one is for all the Vancouver people visiting YYC for the Stampede.
Known for its bold black and white designed product, this brewery features a decor of simple aesthetics, as if you’re just steps away from the forests and beaches of the Pacific.
Address: 215 11th Avenue SW, Calgary
Ricardo’s Hideaway
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Just in time for summer and the Calgary Stampede, Ricardo’s Hideaway has opened back up, and we couldn’t be more excited.
Located at 1530 5th Street SW, Ricardo’s Hideaway combines the best parts of Cuba and the Caribbean to create an exotic paradise with just a touch of the South Pacific.
The Havana-style oasis offers seating for 60 and features a sunlit patio, perfect for soaking up the rays with a daiquiri in hand.
Address: 1530 5th Street SW, Calgary
South Block Barbecue & Brewing Co.
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Calgary’s hotspot for BBQ and beers features live music each Thursday through Saturday and happy hour specials from 3 to 6 pm every day except Saturday. This Mission brewery is ideal for filling up North Carolina-style eats and whisky before hitting the Stampede grounds.
Address: 2437 4th Street SW, Calgary
Model Milk
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One of our favourite patios closest to the Stampede grounds, Model Milk, has a two-tiered patio of large tables ideal for groups.
Address: 308 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
The Unicorn
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Calgary’s super-pub brings three storeys of Stampede specials to the city. With their Stephen Avenue patio and tons of indoor seating, you will want to dive into any food and drink before hitting the coral.
Address: 223 8th Avenue SW, Calgary
Cleaver
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With all of its visually stunning cocktails, Cleaver also has an open restaurant concept that leads to an equally visually stunning patio that is perfect for people-watching.
Address: 524 17th Avenue SW Unit 102, Calgary
Local Public Eatery
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Local boasts a reliable and high-quality pub menu and one of the best pre- or post-Stampede spots on the iconic Stephen Avenue.
Address: 310 8th Avenue SW, Calgary
Whiskey Rose Saloon
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Whiskey Rose is launching 17th Avenue’s first Stampede tent, but for the rest of the summer, you can enjoy the good times and country vibes on the side patio here.
Address: 1012 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
Greta Bar
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Home to arcade and bar games along with global street food, Greta is a way to have tremendous fun before the Calgary Stampede experience. Think of it as a way to practice your game skills before entering the midway. Take home that big prize!
Address: 213 10th Avenue SW, Calgary
Trolley 5 Brewpub
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If you’ve taken a stroll down 17th Avenue, you know this is one of the strip’s best patios. This pub has two massive floors with wide patio spaces to soak up the sun.
Address: 728 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
Porch
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The swinging seats at the bar are enjoyable, but it’s the sunny patio we come here for. Plus, it’s year-round, so you can enjoy it in all types of weather.
Address: 730 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
Proof
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Proof was the highest-ranked Calgary bar on the list of Canada’s Top 50 Bars at #12, praised for its menu that was “full of clever surprises and complex flavour combinations.” It’s also one of the closest spots to the Stampede Grounds.
Address: 1302 1st Street SW, Calgary
Amato Gelato
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“We will have the largest patio on 17th Ave with over 60 seats,” said Falvo, the owner. “It’s going to be a first of its kind for sure.”
That’s enough for us, plus the gelato, pizza, and more are incredible.
Address: 602 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
The Ship & Anchor
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This bar might be the most iconic spot on the strip and has one of the best patios on 17th Avenue.
Address: 534 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
Roy’s Korean Kitchen
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First came Anju on Calgary’s 4th Street and 17th Avenue, and now we have Roys Korean Kitchen, a fun spot with many of the same delicious food items, like the ramen carbonara and the famous chicken wings.
Address: 2024 4th Street SW, Calgary
The Living Room
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Home of the shaft and home to a great patio.
This ample space has covered tables, booths, fireplaces and more in a courtyard-style area you can’t miss.
Address: 514 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
Blowers & Grafton
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Sociable and shareable appetizers here bring home the sense of East Coast community, but so do the dishes themselves. Fish tacos, mussels buckets, and the signature and traditional fried pepperoni are just a few ways Blowers & Grafton brings a taste of Halifax to Calgary.
Address: 2120 4th Street SW, Calgary
Analog Coffee
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It is patio season, but it’s also iced coffee season. This cafe has excellent coffee and is a perfect pick-me-up spot if you’re in the area. It might not be the drink you think of for Stampede, but it’s the one you might need the most.
Address: 740 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
Mercato Mission
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Mercato has some of the best Italian and pasta dishes in Calgary, and there’s a pretty incredible wine and cocktail list, too. There are not much better places to grab a drink over a meal before heading off to do something fun than here at Mercato.
Address: 2224 4th Street SW, Calgary
Blanco Cantina
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Blanco Catina has everything: Mexican food, a lively atmosphere, and even a tequila bar. The website says visiting this colourful patio is “as much fun as your trip to Mexico.”
Address: 740 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
Vin Room
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This sit-down wine bar is a little quieter and fancier than many others on the list, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less of a good time. Maybe a little fancy before a little yee-haw is just what you need.
Address: 2310 4th Street SW, Calgary
Joyce on 4th
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It does seem like Calgary’s 4th Street has every type of restaurant and bar, and adding an Irish pub appears to complete the list. Grab some pub food, order a perfectly poured Guinness, and head out to the Stampede Grounds for more fun.
Address: 506 24th Avenue SW, Calgary
Calcutta Cricket Club
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Calcutta Cricket Club offers popular Indian dishes and cocktails in a lively atmosphere. Their patio will catch your eye with its bright colours and unique decor. Plus, you can even see the Saddledome from the front door.
Address: 340 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
Leopold’s Tavern
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Leopold’s Tavern is one of Calgary’s most popular pubs for sports, food, and craft beer, and it’s one of the best places to drink near the Calgary Stampede grounds.
Address: 1201 1st Street SW, Calgary – Beltline
Central
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The bar program at this new spot focuses on everything from wine to crushable cocktails like the Strawberry Spritz and Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita to carefully selected local craft beers.
What’s equally as exciting is that one of Vancouver’s most popular breweries, 33 Acres, is opening right beside Central.
Address: 211 – 11th Avenue SW, Calgary
Native Tongues
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Probably the best (and trendiest) spot to get Mexican food in YYC, it also has some fantastic margs, beer, and other Mexican-inspired cocktails.
Address: 235 12th Avenue SW, Calgary
Comery Block Barbecue
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If you’re in the mood for BBQ, head to the Comery Block Barbecue patio. They are a Tennessee-inspired BBQ and bourbon joint. Their meats are smoked between 10 and 14 hours each morning, and they offer around 150 whiskies.
Address: 638 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
Bottlescrew Bills
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Bottlescrew Bills is one of the most popular sports bars in the city, and it recently relaunched with an entirely new concept. Now brewing its own beer, you can try some of the recipes, such as the pub ale, hazy IPA, or nitro stout, to name a few.
Address: 140 10th Avenue SW, Calgary
National on 17th
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Want to grab a beer with some friends? National on 17th is in a great location and has a huge patio.
Address: 550 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
D.O.P.
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This spot on 1st Street was just named Canada’s third-best new restaurant for 2022, so that should be reason enough.
There is also beer, wine, and cocktails, and all go wonderfully with the now infamous massive raviolo, made with a scoop of ricotta, parmesan, cream filling, and a cracked egg placed inside a pasta sheet.
Philosafy Coffee
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This cafe has a patio that’s both spacious and stylish. They offer freshly ground coffee and tons of delicious pastries. Grab one (or four) of these and get ready for the Stampede Grounds.
Address: 632 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
Una Pizza + Wine
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Nothing is better than an oven-based pizza, wine and patio season. Head to Una Pizza + Wine for a great time and mouthwatering pizza.
Address: 618 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
Lulu Bar
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Lulu’s is a chef-driven bar in the heart of 17th Avenue. Their patio is tiki-themed and Instagrammable.
Address: 510 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
College Bar
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College Bar is a fun establishment for watching sports, people-watching and drinking before heading to the Stampede grounds. It’s easy to do with one of the best and most extensive outdoor patios in Mission.
Address: 1919 4th Street SW, Calgary
Anejo Restaurant
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Tacos and margaritas are the names of the game at this spot on 4th. Of course, there are plenty of other things to try, but the fantastic tacos and over 10 margarita flavours make this one of the most fun places to grab a drink.
Address: 2116 4th Street SW #2, Calgary
Cardinale
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This low-key Italian spot is the best way to unwind from the craziness of Stampede while remaining just a few steps away.
This authentic Italian restaurant is one of the best spots for pasta in YYC, so don’t forget to make your reservations. This place will be extremely popular.
Address: 401 12th Avenue SE, Calgary
Ten Foot Henry
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One of the most popular restaurants in Calgary, this (mostly) vegetarian spot has a trendy street-side patio with an energetic vibe. Order a few shareable dishes before heading out on the town.
This is one of the best patios near the Stampede grounds.
Address: 1209 1st Street SW, Calgary
Home and Away
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With one of the best pub food menus in Calgary AND one of the most fun places to go at night, this sports bar/nightclub hybrid is the perfect place to go before or after hitting the Calgary Stampede with one of the best patios near the grounds.
Address: 1331-17th Avenue SW, Calgary
Melrose Cafe
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The restaurant and bar reopened on June 17 with a new menu and brand new look, and it feels so great to have it back in time for the Stampede.
Address: 421 12th Avenue SE, Calgary
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