5 inclusive Calgary spots to sip a bevvy (with dog-friendly patios!)

You have to check out these dog-friendly spots this patio season

5 LGBTQ2S+ friendly spots with dog-friendly patios

By Meghan Huchkowsky

It’s no surprise that inclusive and safe spaces are where folks in Calgary can catch a game or sample a flight of local craft brews are celebrated. But when those businesses also offer dog-friendly patios? Well, that just takes adventures out to a whole new level. Dog-friendly patios have become all the rage for Calgary’s approximately 245,000 registered dogs in our fine city, but what about knowing that the place you’re bringing your pooch to is also safe for the “pawrent(s)”? Well, welcome to a very unique listing of some of Calgary’s finest inclusive safe-space establishments you will most definitely not want to skip over this patio season! From wine to gin to beer, we have something for every drink and dog parent alike!

1. Cold Garden

For pooch-owning brew drinkers, Inglewood’s Cold Garden has become a staple for the Calgary canine community and those who appreciate them. Becoming Calgary’s second establishment to allow dogs onsite while you visit, Cold Garden has an amazing selection of craft beers on tap (special shoutout to a personal favourite of this writer’s: the Cakeface) and the coolest Instagram account on this side of the Mississippi. Not only is their bumpin’ patio dog-friendly, but you and your furry friend can even sit inside on their eclectic selection of throwback furniture pulled straight from your youth! Cold Garden offers free doggie bones and always has water available for pups just as thirsty as you are. They will also have special snacks available for purchase for Fido for the 2022 patio season.

When it comes to offering a safe space, Cold Garden prides themselves in having gender-neutral washrooms, as well as training for employees and policies for respectful conduct. While not LGBTQ2S+ owned or operated, I think we can all agree its allies like the fine folks at Cold Garden that make businesses like theirs some of the best Calgary has to offer.

CHECK THEM OUT
Instagram: @cold_garden
Website: coldgarden.ca

2. Broken Spirits

The young and mighty Broken Spirits are what resilient Calgary businesses are all about. This amazing distillery owned by local buddies Jeff, Mark, and Chris opened in summer 2020, just partway through the beginning of the pandemic located minutes from downtown in Calgary’s industrial northeast, Broken Spirits welcomes pet parents to come enjoy a cocktail on their dog-friendly patio with your canine friends. With snacks from their pals at Doodle Dogs, Broken Spirit pawed patrons can expect a yummy treat when they visit!

While visiting Broken Spirits, not only can patrons expect gender neutral washrooms, but the owners and staff love to celebrate the diversity their clients bring. The distillery is a proud partially LGBTQS+ owned-and-operated business and is “fully allied owned and operated.” Check out their website where you can see all of their offerings including Cracked Gin, Gin, Rye, Apple Spiced Liqueur (yum) and e their LOVED Martini Pre-Mix Cocktail created just for Calgary Pride.

GIVE THEM A VISIT
Instagram: @brokenspiritsyyc
Website: brokenspirits.ca

3. BORN Brewing Co.

Nestled in the heart of Calgary’s “Barley Belt” resides BORN Brewing Co. (formerly known as Born Colorado Brewing). Owners Erin McQuitty and Wade Brown founded this beautiful space and company in April 2018. Their space is unique and great for small events including live music and trivia!

Regarding their dog-friendly patio, owner Erin boasts, “Our patio is pet-friendly. Mainly this means lots of pups join us, but we do have one regular who brings their very adorable and social cat, Freya, and we have also had folks bring down their cockatiels. If your furry or feathered friend is social and well-mannered, we’d love to have them!”

When visiting with your pup you can expect fresh cold water, a complimentary poop bag if needed, and usually some kind of treat.

Ally-owned and operated, BORN Brewing Co. shows their support for the LGBTQ2S+ community in so many unique ways. Having employed several folks who identify as LGBTQ2S+, they know the importance of inclusivity and providing a safe space with fun events. From gender-neutral washrooms to posters around the taproom, BORN demonstrates their support by expressing their values around what will be tolerated and what won’t be tolerated from guests. Staff receive training on bystander intervention and anti-racism, and the company has an extensive anti-harassment policy. Erin also notes they love to host events that amplify underrepresented voices in the brewing industry and in the community.

You may have frequented some of their past events such as Pride Bingo, Pride Acoustic Night, or their Pints & Perspectives series which kicked off with a conversation on anti-racism. And, if that isn’t enough to make you fall in love with this amazing company, they are also a member of Hop Forward Society, an Alberta Non-profit whose aim is to diversify the craft beer industry.

I would say, all in all, this business is pretty FAB-U-LOUS.

POP IN FOR A BEW
Website: @bornbrewingco
Instagram: bornbrewing.co

4. Common Crown

Located down the road from number two on our list, you can find Common Crown’s crew brewing up something unique and scrumptious. Whether you’re on the hop train or love a good sour, there is something for everyone at this fun brewery.

When visiting with your furry pal on their dog-friendly patio, your pup can relish in one of Common Crown’s marketing coordinator Chelsey’s own homemade dog biscuits! Using oat flour, cheddar, rosemary and egg, Chelsey loves to bake these delicious treaties for her own sweetie, noting he’s a “piggy” for snacks. With the warm summer months approaching and the dogs-a-frolicking to Common Crown, Chelsey promises to have plenty of cookies on hand to give out.

With regard to providing a safe space for guests, Common Crown patrons can soon expect gender-neutral bathrooms stocked with feminine hygiene products. The Common Crown team has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, bullying, or any overall mistreatment a patron may cause to another while visiting. While ally-owned and operated, Chelsey has launched a new program for all staff which she refers to as Stitch’n’Bitch, where the brewery is closed to allow staff a no-stress day to discuss safe environment ideas. This concept is a result of Common Crown’s partnership with a group called Fractional Stitches (www.fractionalstitches.ca).

If that isn’t enough to love Common Crown, their Citra Pale Ale will be available soon with proceeds going towards the Calgary Humane Society as a collab with (shameless writer plug alert!) Doodle Dogs (. And on that note, the Calgary Humane Society will be celebrating its centennial birthday this year!

COME ON DOWN TO COMMON CROWN
Instagram: @commoncrownbrew
Website: commoncrown.ca

5. Vin Room

Last on our list is a pièce de resistance. *chef’s kiss* Vin Room is the OG for the D-O-G. Owner Phoebe Fung was the individual who started the precedent for dog-friendly patios in Calgary. We bow down to that!. Apart from boasting the coolest dog pawrent around to Dom the Pom Somm, Vin Room blesses Calgary with not one, but three locations that are dog-friendly. There’s one at the Calgary International airport! Phoebe created THE spot for Calgary’s most chic to bring their spoiled pooches. We’re talkin’ “fur baby fare” as Phoebe puts it. Pups can sample Pawsecco (omg!) and lounge in of one Vin Room’s day beds.

Phoebe prides herself in providing a safe space for LGBTQ2S+ folks as well as offering an inclusive work environment. Vin Room also champions inclusive hiring practices. Phoebe has folks on staff who identify as part of the community which she says helps her create such an inclusive space! Neither you nor your pup, will ever want to leave – not even to catch that international departing flight!

VENIR À VIN ROOM
Instagram: @vinroomyyc
Website: vinroom.com

If you are lucky enough to visit any of these fine establishments this patio season be sure to tag them (and us – @PrideInBusinessYYC!) in your adventures so we can join you in spirit!