The phrase “hidden gem” is one that gets thrown around far too often in the food scene. While it still may not quite be applicable here, one of Calgary’s best bars is certainly one that often flies under the radar.
If you’ve walked down Inglewood’s 9th Avenue, chances are you may not have spotted the signage for Rain Dog Bar, but next time you are in the neighbourhood, it’s time to get familiar.
The concept is pretty simple; it’s like a wine bar but for those who prefer craft beer, pairing an ever-rotating chef-driven menu alongside its beverages.
Bill Bonar, owner and operator of Rain Dog Bar, told Dished that he’s been working with beer for almost two decades, even receiving a designation called Certified Cicerone in 2013, which is essentially a sommelier for beer.
View this post on Instagram
“I wanted to be able to bring craft beer up to that level of service and quality of food that you see with wine, and to show it off,” Bonar explained.
Then in February 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic began, Bonar opened Rain Dog Bar, with the aim of serving craft beer with the same quality of service and food that is seen with wine.
Despite opening at an incredibly tricky moment for the hospitality industry, Rain Dog Bar has withstood the test of time and received recognition across the country too, placing on Canada’s 50 best bars list four years in a row, most recently at number 36.
Inside Rain Dog Bar
Now, six years in, Rain Dog Bar has cemented its place in Calgary’s food scene. The space is cozy and packed with vintage trinkets, which feels very appropriate for its Inglewood digs.
While some may be put off by the craft beer focus, Bonar has curated a menu that could convert even the biggest beer skeptic. The biggest mistake non-beer drinkers make, he said, is opting for a light lager.
“There’s nothing there but the bitterness […] There are so many more flavours, sweetness and sourness and tartness, that we can go to, while not necessarily hitting the bitterness,” he explained.
For those who are unsure, Rain Dog Bar’s servers will be able to steer you in the right direction, but there is also a smaller curated wine list.
Charlie Hart/Dished
While the sips might be a huge part of the experience here, be sure to come hungry, too. We tried several dishes on the menu, including the Adobo Devilled Eggs, a reimagined take on the classic, with crunchy corn nuts.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a bar in Calgary that doesn’t serve Beef Tartare, but you’ll regret skipping out here. Rain Dog’s Banh Mi Beef Tartare takes inspiration from the Vietnamese classic, with cucumbers, carrots, and crushed peanuts.
Charlie Hart/Dished
We’re already planning when we can visit next!
Rain Dog Bar
Address: 1214 9th Ave. SE, Calgary
Still hungry? Discover Dished Calgary on TikTok