They’re as much a symbol of summer as sunscreen and sandals. Patios are popping up all over St. Catharines and pubs and eateries are pulling out all the stops to make their outdoor spaces hot spots this summer.
Here are 8 St. Catharines patios to check out this summer:
Short Hill’s Kitchen
1469 Pelham Rd.
Known for award wining VQA wine, Henry of Pelham also offers a terrific dining experience at its patio restaurant, Short Hills Kitchen. Renowned chef, Erik Peacock, makes the perfect dishes to pair with your favourite glass of wine. Share a Charcuterie or Canadian cheese box, enjoy a Sourdough Grill Cheese Sandwich or indulge in mouthwatering Overnight Brisket. Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed.
Open daily at 11 a.m.
13th Street Winery
1776 Fourth Ave.
It’s easy to forget you’re in Niagara’s largest urban centre when pulling into this bucolic swath located on St. Catharines’ westernmost periphery. This award-winning winery offers so much to see and do, all while tippling vintages by winemaker Jean-Pierre Colas.
13th Street Winery is known for its Gamay Noir, butter tarts and interactive Canadian art and sculpture collection. Weekends here in the summer often include firing up the barbecue for a burger washed down with the quaffable Burger Blend that comes in red, white and rosé, all day.
Open daily at 11:30 a.m. from May to October. Closed on Sundays.
Balzac’s Coffee Roasters
9 Lock St.
If beer isn’t your thing, this coffee shop has a stunner of a patio that offers a quiet and contemplative escape over iced — or hot — caffeinated beverages. The multi-level seating area at Balzac’s Coffee Roasters means you can be as private or as public as you want when declaring membership to Team Tea or Team Coffee. You’re also mere steps from Lakeside Park for a beach day once you perk up.
Open daily at 7 a.m.
Johnny Rocco’s Italian Grill
271 Merritt St.
Pizza, pints, vino, and a patio against a backdrop of St. Catharines’ industrial history is on offer at this south-end locale. Johnny Rocco’s Italian Grill’s patio is nestled into the best corner of the former Lybster Mill, built in 1860 along the second Welland Canal as one of Upper Canada’s pioneering cotton mills. It’s an uber-intimate space, tucked away from traffic, for dining and enjoying a drink served with Italian hospitality and a side of St. Catharines’ storied past.
Open daily at 11 a.m.
Lock Street Brewery
15 Lock St.
Back near the Lake Ontario shoreline in Port Dalhouse, Lock Street Brewery beckons with its secluded biergarten that’s everybody’s dream backyard. The brews are made with Germany’s purity laws in mind, mandating only pure and natural ingredients be used to make beer. With CHZ PLZ, one of the region’s premier purveyors of charcuterie, located next door, this hidden gem offers the ultimate summer afternoon experience. Dogs are also welcome.
Open daily at 12 p.m.
Trust Beer Bar
3 Garden Park
What was once a cinder block storage building in a well-used alleyway has become St. Catharines’ go-to for all things suds. Trust Beer Bar downtown offers hundreds of cans and bottles, including plenty of rare finds, for sipping on a patio surrounded by graffitied walls and covered with sails to protect those pints from summer’s rays. Tacos are on the menu for a casual and satisfying bite. There are also spiked slushies for a true summer in St. Catharines experience.
Open Monday to Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday at 12 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
The Twisted Pig
1 Lock St.
This is where the smell of wood-fired pizza and lake breezes collide. The Twisted Pig boasts one of the largest patios in the city. Even better, it’s in Port Dalhousie and steps away from the newly reconstructed pier for an after-dinner stroll or a walk before wetting your whistle. This dog-friendly patio is great for people watching while enjoying causal, crave-inducing Italian fare and a summery beverage.
Open daily at 12 p.m.
Upper Deck Taphouse and Grill
210 Martindale Rd.
In the city’s west end, the casual-chic Upper Deck Taphouse and Grill offers a rare view of St. Catharines’ other waterfront, Twelve Mile Creek. This secluded deck with its view of untouched nature sandwiched between two of the city’s main arteries makes you forget about any hustle or bustle. The menu offers family favourites and finger foods galore, which pair perfectly with whatever is on tap or being shaken and stirred by those working the bar.
Open daily at 12 p.m.
No matter where you are in St. Catharines, there’s a patio to suit you current mood and quench your thirst with a tall, cold one. The only challenge: picking a favourite from all the contenders.
