Calgary Cafes with Bikes, Books, Games, Movies, Music & Cats Twist!
“Would you like a bike, a COVID vaccine shot or a cat with your coffee, sir?” Yes, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada you can enjoy some serious caffeine in a bike shop, a mid-century drug store or a cat rescue shop. Other options include a coffee meeting with friends for an afternoon or evening of board games, perhaps an in-house movie, searching for a first edition book or a music jam with mood gummies.
Bike & Brew
Bike and Brew (921 First Ave NE) is the perfect place to combine not one… not two… but three passions. It is a place where you can not only buy a new bike (or bike accessories) and/or get your bike repaired, but also meet up with a friend for coffee or your favourite local craft brewery beer. Some will think they have died and gone to heaven.
The staff are super friendly, and no job is too small (I bought new pedals last spring and had them installed at no charge while I flaneured the ‘hood). Recently, I met up with a colleague and we enjoyed our coffee and the great view of street from our window seats.
They proudly serve coffee by Fratello, baking by Corbeaux bakehouse and sandwiches by Peppino Gourmet Foods.
Link: Bike & Brew
The Wheelhouse
Located in Marda Loop at the corner of 34th Ave and 20th St. SW sits the Wheelhouse, a boutique bike shop that not only sells premium Italian bikes, accessories and apparel – but serves up a proper espresso.
It is a great place to meet up with fellow cyclists and join in their weekly rides or just grab a coffee and pretend you are in Europe via the illy coffee, pastries (from La Boulangerie) surrounded by cycling chatter.
When I popped in, I was immediately greeted with a friendly smile and invited to look around, ask questions and enjoy a coffee and treats.
In my opinion, Calgary is an under-rated cycling destination. (FYI: I might be one of only a few people in Calgary who has cycled the Crowchild Trail.)
Link: The Wheelhouse
Lukes Drug Mart
Since 1951, the Lukes family (Jim, Bob and Gareth) has been operating the vintage Lukes Drug Mart in Bridgeland (112, 4th St NE). Not only is it full-service drug store, post office, urban grocery store, as well as selling records, clothes and home accessories, it’s a place for a great cup of coffee. It is basically 5 or 6 shops in one.
When Gareth took over the ownership in 2013, he immediately added a coffee bar and introduced Calgarians to Portland’s popular Stumptown Coffee.
Today, they get their beans from Bows & Arrows Coffee Roasters in Victoria, using their Hathaway beans to make their espressos.
So yes, you can get your COVID vaccine shot and a shot of coffee at Lukes.
Link: Lukes Drug Mart
The Loophole Coffee Bar
It doesn’t get much more off-the-beaten path than The Loophole Coffee Bar tucked away on a side street on the western edge of downtown at 1040 - 8th Ave SW. Currently, they offer takeout service through their coffee portal and seating under the trees in front (weather permitting), or you can wander the used bookstore with its odd and obscure books, perfect for the discriminating bibliophile.
Link: The Loophole Coffee Bar
The Next Page
Located in a heritage building along Calgary’s original main street (1217A - 9th Avenue SE in Inglewood) is perhaps one of Canada’s most charming bookstores. It also offers patrons a coffee bar featuring Lark Coffee beans from Creston, BC. Pre-COVID there were tables where bibliophiles could babble away about their favourite books, but today it is takeout, or you can wander the store’s extensive selection of new and used books.
Link: The Next Page
The Roasterie
Calgary has been a caffeine city long before Starbucks arrived in 1996. It was in 1984 when a recently laid off mining engineer, fashion consultant and diamond driller got together and decided Calgary needed its own roasterie.
They found Heinz, a local roaster in Calgary who not only taught them how to roast coffee beans but sold them a roasting machine. The Roasterie in Kensington Village (314 - 10th St NW) opened in 1985 and as they say, the rest is history.
The café is like a museum - with coffee artifacts are everywhere. The selection of coffees ranges from Ethiopia Limu to El Salvador Yellow Honey and from Cuba Turquino to Haiti Blue Pine Forest. In total, 50+ varieties are available at any given time.
Like a movie with your coffee? If so, drop by on Thursday nights for their in-house movie night (it is scheduled to re-start in March after being closed due to COVID).
Link: https://roasterie.com/?v=3e8d115eb4b3
Kawa Espresso Bar
Kawa is Polish for “coffee,” an ode to owners Les and Ottilia’s love of the European coffee experience.
I am told (as I am not an espresso afficionado) they pull one of the best espressos in the city. They also offer an array of beer, wine and decadent desserts (hmm…guess where I am going soon).
Located at 101 -1333 8th Avenue SW, Kawa offers great street window seating for those who like to people watch. And if you like music with your espresso, check out their live music and DJ program.
Link: Kawa Espresso Bar
Regal Cat Café
Located in the heart of Kensington Village (303- 10th St NW) is Regal Cat Café – a place to mix and mingle not only with your human friends but perhaps make a new feline friend. Working with the MEOW Foundation, the café’s separate Kitty Kingdom room houses up to 12 adoptable cats.
You can book your relax, cuddle and play visit in the Kitty Kingdom online (it hosts up to 10 guests for a 30-minute visit or up to 15 guests for a one-hour visit). Cost is $10/person (children under one are free). Regal Cat Café also hosts many fun events like Kitty Paint Classes and Cats and Yoga.
Link: Regal Cat Café
Café & Mi
Located in on the edge of town at #1134 -12 Royal Vista Way NW is another cat café, where you can enjoy Fratello coffee, some sweet treats – and with some new feline friends. Café & Mi started out with two cats - Mocha and Indy, who have since retired to their fur-ever homes. They’ve partnered with Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society who provide up to six cats at a time, all ready to be adopted.
Admission to the cat room is $5/person and is restricted to one household or group only. Each visit is limited to 30 minutes.Call to book a visit: 403-375-4611.
Link: https://cafeandmi.com/about
Hexagon Board Game Café
Perhaps your preference is a board game with your coffee? If so, stop by Hexagon Board Game Café in Kensington at 200 – 1140 Kensington Road NW.
Their extensive library boasts 700+ different games. FYI….currently the most popular ones are “Ticket To Ride,” “Catan” and “Pandemic.” The gaming fee is $3/hr per person. They also host Dudgeon and Dragon nights.
The current coffee on tap is Longest Road by local roaster Rosso. As well, they have a rotating selection of Alberta beer on tap.
Link: The Hexagon Board Game Café
Last Word
So, the next time you are heading out to meet a friend for coffee, change up your routine - consider some a café with a twist.
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