Calgary has a genuine craft beer culture. Local breweries — many concentrated in the Barley Belt district in the east end — produce a wide range of ales, lagers, and seasonals, and most Calgary bars carry a strong local selection alongside the national brands. The city's Chinese immigrant community has also nurtured a good café and bubble tea scene, particularly along Centre Street NE.
Stephen Avenue is the main nightlife strip downtown, busiest in summer when the patios fill up. The Stampede in July turns the whole city into a party — the grounds host concerts and late nights every evening, and sponsored venues across downtown run open bars and live country music around the clock. Outside Stampede, the city has a more relaxed bar scene: neighbourhood spots, rooftop patios in summer, and a clutch of wine bars along 17th Avenue.
Calgary's winters are cold but frequently broken by Chinook winds that can push temperatures into double digits even in January — when a Chinook blows, the terraces fill up. The individual bar and café POIs on this section cover the best of the scene.