364 Days of Beer That’s Not Green
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St. Patrick’s Day has come and gone, and it has made me think about just how many pubs we have here in Kelowna. We have a very active pub scene, maybe in part because as a community, Kelowna tends to be laid-back and casual – meaning that we like to go out in groups of friends to places we can relax and just be ourselves. For all the focus and pride on wine in our city, there’s no denying it: we like our beer, too. So today’s post is will profile a number of different pubs around Kelowna. These are places where you’ll find a friendly smile, a cozy nook, and a cold beer any time of year – St. Paddy’s or not.
Kelly O'Bryan's Pub in downtown Kelowna
• Pheasant & Quail Pub – This pub has a good dose of quaint character – just like an Irish Pub should have. It’s in the Mission, corner of Lakeshore and KLO (or just passed that corner). There’s a whopping twelve draught beers on tap including tons of local Micro-brewed ales, and a wide choice of local VQA Okanagan wines served by the glass, 1/2 litre or bottle. Oh, and there’s a liquor store attached to the pub. Very handy.
• McCulloch Station Pub – I know I just talked about character for the last pub, but you can’t talk about the McCulloch Station Pub without using the word character! This place in on KLO road, just beyond Harvest Golf Club. It *looks* just like an old train station (hence the name), and the setting up there is so beautiful. A real neighbourhood feeling here. The other thing about this pub is the atmosphere outside on their patio in the warm spring sun – views over the Harvest Golf Club and valley. Beautiful!
• Freddy’s Brew Pub – Located next to the Grand 10 Cinema and the McCurdy Bowling Alley, this pub is a multiple-time Taste of Kelowna winner. The really cool thing about this pub is that they brew their own beer here. In fact, you can actually do a tour and tasting of their beers with their brewmaster Jack Clark. This guy is so passionate about his beer, and his microbrews are fantastic!
• Sturgeon Hall – Sturgeon Hall is one of those classic Kelowna hang-outs. You really can’t get more local that this! I’m told this is the hang-out for the Kelowna Rockets, and it’s definitely a popular spot in the summer when they open their patio.
• Doc Willoughby’s Downtown Pub - Frequent live entertainment and a lively atmosphere are key elements of Doc Willoughby’s Pub. This downtown Kelowna establishment has a terrific central Bernard Ave. location. This article by Holly Miyasaki from Kelowna.com explains that there was an actual Doc Willoughby, who is the grandfather of the man who opened this pub - very interesting! Check their entertainment section on their website for information on upcoming live shows.
• Brandts Creek Neighbourhood Pub – Here’s another excellent neighbourhood pub with a beautiful wrap-around deck that’s always busy in the warmer months. Located in North Glenmore at Glenmore Rd. and Kane Rd, this pub is open for 3 meals a day. Its great atmosphere has netted it third place on Okanagan Life Magazine’s list of best pubs.
• Minstrel Cafe & Bar - Here’s another great example of neighbourhood pub with excellent food and atmosphere. There’s regular live entertainment featuring excellent local and travelling artists. Their courtyard is always alive throughout the summer months, shaded by the generous boughs of a massive deciduous tree. If anyone knows what kind of tree, please tell me – it’s impressive!
• O’Flannigans Pub – Located in downtown Kelowna on Queensway Ave, O’Flannigans wears its Irish roots on its sleeve with its name. It boasted a boisterous St. Paddy’s Day with green beer on Wednesday!
• Kelly O’Bryans – This Irish pub downtown in Kelowna is located right by the Sails Fountain and Okanagan Lake. These guys have a fun tradition of offering you a free birthday meal!
If you want to see even more pub profiles, check out this fantastic round-up of pubs from Kelowna.com’s 9 Weeks of Summer series. It’s true: there’s a pub for every taste in Kelowna, so bottom’s up!