#patioportaparty

I've had a Calgary Patio Bucket List of sorts in the back of my mind for a few years now. For instance, whenever I drive by Loco Lou's in the summer, I wonder why I've never visited their large, raised patio and have a curious longing to do so. With that in mind -- and thanks to friendly suggestions and an online search of Calgary's most favorite patio destinations -- I've compiled a starter list for 2012 patio locations to check out, in no particular order. I've further broken the list down into three general categories, though there may be some crossover: coffee/tea, restaurant, and bar/pub/lounge. My hope is that we can rotate through a broad spectrum of patio possibilities -- from high-end to lesser-end, from non-alcoholic to party-friendly.

coffee/tea Kawa Espresso Bar http://kawacalgary.ca/ Extreme Bean http://www.yelp.ca/biz/extreme-bean-calgary Good Earth (Eau Claire) http://www.goodearthcafes.com/ Weeds Cafe http://www.yelp.ca/biz/weeds-cafe-calgary

restaurant Barley Mill http://www.barleymill.net/ The Living Room http://livingroomrestaurant.ca/ Boxwood http://www.boxwoodcafe.ca/ Los Mariachis http://216.23.136.135/Mariachis/main.aspx Julio's Bario http://www.juliosbarrio.com/ JOEY Eau Claire http://www.joeyrestaurants.com/eau-claire Vin Room http://www.vinroom.com/home

bar/pub/lounge Loco Lou's http://www.locolous.ca/ The Ship & Anchor http://www.shipandanchor.com/ Molly Malone's http://www.mollymalones.ca/ Sam's http://www.samsfoodanddrink.com/ Jupiter Restaurant & Lounge http://dinehere.ca/calgary/jupiter-restaurant-lounge The Hose and Hound http://www.thehose.ca/ Bottlescrew Bill's http://bottlescrewbill.com/