The Whistler Scene | Best patios through the year

It’s summer and Whistler’s patio season is in full swing. Who are we kidding? Unless it’s raining (and we mean a torrential downpour), it’s always patio season in Whistler. Après is, after all, the most important meal of the day. As such, we’ve put together a few of our favourite patios in Whistler Village to toast the day’s adventures.

THE ROOFTOP PATIO.

Whistler may not currently have any rooftop patios, but that is going change in April 2018 when Pangea unveils The Rooftop Patio, dishing up elevated après in the centre of the Village.

Our third floor rooftop patio will be a smaller version of The Living Room, our design-forward interior bar + lounge + cafe on our second floor, and will feature a small bar, standing counter and sensational views up to snow-capped peaks and down over the pedestrian-only Stroll to Village Square.

Quench your thirst with an ice-cold craft beer in the summer or warm your inner soul (and your body) under a patio heater with a Baileys-infused gourmet hot chocolate in the winter. This is going to be a game-changer, and with its limited capacity it’s going be kept a secret by Whistler locals for as long as they can.

LONGHORN SALOON & GRILL.

Whistler’s largest patio bar is home to the infamous Bulldog cocktail – an inverted Corona beer stuck deep in a mini pitcher of lime margarita. If you’re hitting up the Longhorn make sure you’re ready for an epic après – the Longhorn does not do low key. This huge patio with outdoor firepits and signature yellow umbrellas is a favourite with locals and visitors – you’ll understand why as soon as you grab a seat front-and-centre at the base of Whistler Mountain.

BEACON PUB & EATERY.

Still referred to by many locals as Citta’s (its former name), this popular spot in the centre of the Village is just a stone’s throw from Pangea and sports an impressive selection of craft beer. Take a seat, slip on some shades and revel in the sights and sounds of Whistler Village as the day winds down. Add a side of the Beacon’s deep-fried pickles and wings (with a helping of their homemade hot sauce), and you’ll feel like a local pretty quickly.

GARIBALDI LIFT CO. BAR & GRILL (GLC).

The GLC, as it’s more commonly known, is perched right on Whistler’s shoulder in Skier’s Plaza. It offers front-row seats for watching skiers and snowboarders gliding into the Village in the winter and mountain bikers airing over the drops in the summer. A recent renovation that introduced outdoor firepits on the GLC’s side patio overlooking Skier’s Plaza has created a buzzing lounge vibe. This patio mainstay ups the ante on typical après fare – think epic nachos served with fresh homemade guacamole, an impressive selection of local and imported beers, and their signature appetizer, “Sex Cheese”.

LA BOCCA.

Another close neighbour to Pangea, La Bocca’s sunny patio is a superb location for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between. Their menu has a strong Mediterranean influence and an overarching European feel. Grab a cozy table for two, pair an antipasto platter with a bottle of wine, and you’ll know your night is getting off on the right foot.

BASALT WINE + SALUMERIA.

This patio is mid-stream on Village Stroll, across the way from Pangea, and really shines after the sun goes down. Basalt’s cocktails aren’t just mixed here, they are crafted, and there’s a unique urban vibe to the space. You don’t want to miss their exceptional cured meat and cheese platter.

BREWHOUSE.

The BrewHouse is adjacent to the most photographed location in the Village – the giant Olympic Rings. Grab a seat in the summer and enjoy fresh pizza or hot rotisserie delights from their wood-fired ovens, all washed down with ice-cold, brewed-on-the-premises, craft beer. They do beer flights too, so you can taste a variety of brews before ordering a pint of your favourite (our summer beer of choice is the Lifty Lager). Even better if you do it on a night when you can listen to music during the free Whistler Presents concert series.

EARLS.

Yes, this is part of a “chain”, but we’re not sure why that matters when the food and service are always on point. Earls offers a slightly more upscale patio experience and an elevated view across the Village Stroll. Their menu is excellent. And, most importantly, there are always drink specials.

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Please note this is just a partial list of the incredible patios in Whistler.

Stay tuned to our blog and social media channels for more insight and more tips and tricks to experience the best of the unique mountain town of Whistler on a budget.