Whether it’s a hot summer’s day, a crisp fall afternoon or a cool winter evening, sometimes it’s nice to relax with an adult beverage in hand. However, not everyone here in the city has a backyard, balcony or private outdoor space to enjoy this freedom.
In 2021, the City of Calgary ran an Alcohol In Parks pilot project to give residents the opportunity to enjoy alcoholic drinks in outdoor public spaces. During the project, the City received over 1,500 bookings and found that:
- Over 65% of Calgarians supported the program
- 96% of participants said the program was a great alternative to being indoors
- 73% of participants reported their park visitation increased due to the program
With these findings, the City expanded designated drinking areas in some Calgary parks.
So, the next time you want to kick back with a seltzer on a picnic blanket, an ice-cold beer at a family barbeque or a spiked hot chocolate around the crackling fire, we’re answering the most frequently asked question about consuming alcohol in public greenspaces.
Plan your next outing using our interactive YYC Adventure Atlas.
Everything You Need To Know About Public Drinking In Calgary Parks
FAQ #1: Can I drink alcohol in all Calgary parks?
No, not all parks. After the successful pilot project, the City of Calgary expanded public drinking areas so you can consume alcohol in designated spots in particular parks.
FAQ #2: So where can I legally drink alcohol in Calgary parks?
There are 4 types of locations where drinking alcohol publically is allowed by the City:
1) Individual Neighbourhood Picnic Tables — Find these in over 50 neighbourhood parks and greenspaces. They’re labeled with an ‘Alcohol permitted at tables only’ sign. These are free to use, and are available for reservation or on a first-come, first serve basis.
Here are a few of our favourites: Confederation Park, McDougall Park, Riley Park.
2) Large Picnic Sites — Host your next social gathering or celebration at a large picnic area designated for alcohol consumption in Edworthy Park, North Glenmore Park, Sandy Beach, Shouldice Park or Stanley Park. These sites can accommodate groups of 25-263 people, and require a fee to prebook. See FAQ #5.
3) Open Areas — Perhaps you want to play frisbee golf, sit by the river, set up a picnic or lounge in a green space while enjoying a beverage. Now, you can — in certain areas of Barb Scott Park, Buckmaster Park, Lindsay Park (riverside), Southview Off-Leash Area (riverside), Tomkins Park and Baker Park (west side).
To see the designated areas in each park, visit the City website here.
4) Fire Pits — Some outdoor fire pits in the city permit drinking alcohol during certain times of the year. You can drink at certain fire pits year-round in Confederation Park, West Confederation Park and Inglewood River Walk, in the winter at North Glenmore Park and during the summer at Stanley Park.
To see which specific fire pits allow drinking and how to book one ahead, visit the City website here.
FAQ #3: Do I need to reserve a spot ahead of time?
All public alcohol consumption sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, or through reservation. However, permit holders are given priority. To guarantee your spot, we suggest you book ahead of time.
There are plenty of designated individual picnic tables, so you can prebook your spot on the City website, scan the QR code on the table to book it in real-time, or simply use the table if it’s not in use. While group picnic sites are also available on a first-come, first-serve basis, many are booked months in advance. So the sooner you choose a date and reserve your site, the better. Finally, there aren’t many outdoor fire pits that allow alcohol, so again, if you want to guarantee your spot, we suggest booking ahead of time.
FAQ #4: What time is my reservation, and how long does it go for?
Individual picnic tables can be booked daily from 11am-9pm in 2-hour increments. If you want to stay longer, you can make multiple bookings or simply stay if there are no other reservations.
Group picnic sites are available for bookings in 6-hour increments. You can choose to reserve the space from 8:45am-2:45pm, or 3:15-9:15pm.
Finally, you can book an outdoor fire pit from 10am-9pm on weekdays, and in 2-hour increments on weekends from 12-2pm, 4-6pm and 7-9pm.
FAQ #5: How much does it cost to reserve one of these designated sites?
Individual picnic tables and outdoor fire pits are free to use, whether on a first-come, first-serve basis, or reserving them ahead of time.
Large picnic sites can also be used for free on a first-come, first serve basis, but many are prebooked months in advance. If you want to reserve a large picnic site, the cost varies between $75-$770 depending on the number of people attending.
FAQ #6: Ok I’m ready. How do I book my picnic table, picnic site or fire pit?
Book your individual picnic table here.
Book your group picnic site here.
Book your outdoor fire pit here.
Be A Good Neighbour & Drink Responsibly
If you do take advantage of these designated drinking areas in public parks, be courteous of your fellow park visitors:
- Leave the space better than you found it, and don’t leave anything behind.
- Be mindful of your noise levels.
- Obey all posted signage and City officials.
- Plan your outing accordingly so you have access to a bathroom.
- Get home safely using the C-train, Uber, taxis or a designated driver.
For more information on alcohol consumption in Calgary public parks, visit the City’s website here.
Note: Things are always changing here in Calgary. So if you know of any updates, changes or new laws, send us an email at hello@parksofcalgary.com so we can update this blog. All information was correct as of April 2024.
