Tucked away in St. Johns, the casual cocktail bar Leisure Public House didn’t need to change much to provide a comfortable dining experience outside during the pandemic. In warmer weather, the assorted picnic tables and new sidewalk seating out front are perfectly serviceable, but when it’s cooler, the back patio provides a respite, with partial cover, heat, and tables well spread out. There’s even screens out there for sporting events and other programs.

Primarily a beer bar and taphouse, Tiny Bubble Room is relatively new to the scene, having opened in fall of 2020. Its spacious patio is decked out with covered picnic tables with gas fire pits, along with individual pods in storage containers so diners can enjoy the Southern food, impressive tap list, and cocktails outside year-round. 

Aside from a killer smash burger and a fun takeout drink program, this top-notch cocktail bar disguised as a neighborhood haunt also sports a lovely back patio. Fully enclosed and partially covered, the patio is cozy in all weather, and is spacious enough for comfort. Order the smash burger and some cocktails and stay warm under the heaters. 

Radio Room broke a years-long record of days open when it was forced to close temporarily due to the pandemic. However, it’s now happily back to opening every day of the week at 9 a.m. with brunch and lunch options, happy hour, and a full dinner menu. It’s always sported one of the best patios on Alberta, with multiple levels, coverings, heaters, and plant life, making it a lovely space to watch a sunset.

The pandemic put Les Caves into a terrible position—the cool, subterranean space was just about the worst possible set-up for social distancing and ventilation. But the winemaker-owned wine bar was quick and clever in the response, constructing Le Clos as one of the most stylish patios in the city. The brick walls of this den are topped with wire fencing and an oculus set into the wooden seating, providing full open-air ventilation for the space. In winter, it’s set with heat lamps so diners can imbibe the local natural wines and snack on tinned fish while sprawling on the stylish couches. 

A Southern-tinged neighborhood bar with relaxed party vibes, the Rambler has always drawn in diners to the patios and yards that stretch from the front to the back of the old craftsman-style building it’s housed in. It made some pandemic-era upgrades, though, by spacing tables out more, investing in heat lamps and roofs, and adding some additional seating along the side of the building. Even on a busy weekend night, it’s possible to find some secluded seating for socially-distant, comfortable outdoor drinking.

Part of the affiliated group of bars around town that include Old Gold and the newly opened Holy Ghost, Hi Top Tavern may have the best patio of all of them. The gravel-lined outdoor area stretches around the entire side of the bar to its back, and this winter sees the entire area covered and heated, as well as featuring charming lanterns and TV screens for games. Diners can enjoy the craft cocktails, shot and beer pairings, and a mix of bar snacks and hearty sandwiches out on the picnic tables year-round.

The stylish, breezy Bar West made one of the most dramatic changes to its build due to the pandemic, sacrificing its parking lot for a large wooden outdoor dining area that mimics the indoor experience, but with full ventilation — cafe tables are strewn throughout, and one fenced side is devoted to bar seating. A wooden cover with heaters provides some safety from the weather, as do the clear vinyl sheets that help block the wind in the winter months.

At Tropicale, Portland’s first dedicated piña colada bar, it feels like summertime all year round, even in the depths of winter. This is partially thanks to the extensive, plant-filled covered front patio it shares with neighbors Friendship Kitchen and Rollin’ Fresh. Relax with a piña colada and some fried plantains under a heat lamp and winter will feel a world away.

The sibling bar to Prost, Stammtisch’s patio was originally more for block parties and other summertime events, but the team weatherized it for this winter, adding tented booths, covered tables, and heat lamps. On sunny days it’s all about a crisp German lager, and in cooler weather, diners can relax and warm up with some gluhwein.

A venerable establishment within Portland’s drinking scene, Produce Row has changed considerably over the years (even briefly closing before reopening under the Independent Restaurant Concepts umbrella). However, its back patio has remained generally consistent — fully enclosed, it’s partially covered in winter and provides ample room for seating along its benches and picnic tables. It’s even decorated with Christmas lights for the holidays, and spacious enough for the occasional concert and drag brunch.

Though colloquially known as The Vern for years thanks to its partially burnt out signage, the bar formerly known as Hannigan’s Tavern only officially adopted its moniker a few years ago. While its renovations stripped it of its “official” dive bar designation, they did vastly improve the back patio area. This fenced-in concrete patio now boasts fancy wooden roofs, wooden planter boxes, string lights, and heaters throughout, all under the massive billboard declaring The Vern as the Belle of Belmont. 

Inside, this casual cocktail spot for neighborhood locals is cozy and leather-clad, and its back patio area is nearly the size of the interior. The fully enclosed and partially covered courtyard has wrap-around benches with heat lamps, as well as tables and seats in the center around fire pits. Winter menus at the Richmond tend to have hot toddies made with whiskey and brandy, and they rarely break the $10 mark.