Best chill-out ambience in the city. Staff here are cool and on point. 3 levels here and each distinct.

One of my favourites on Whyte, since the music is so eclectic and the people watching so much fun. But at the same time, it has a nice relaxed vibe. Finally got to try out the Wooftop Patio last night. Was amazed at how warm and cozy it is, even when it's -14 outside. Had a couple Blondes, which went down smooth. They were having a Jaegermeister demo while we were there, but I am not fond of cough syrup, even when I'm sick, so I eschewed the freebies. Bonus points for hearing "Golden Brown" by The Stranglers and "Reptile" by The Church on the same night. I was in heaven. read more

It's a different bar every day. The music changes. The clientele changes. You never know. Upstairs is different from downstairs. A whole different vibe. I love the addition of the "Woof Top" patio. The cover and heaters extend the season. We prefer to be outdoors as long as we can. Cheapest happy hour on Whyte ave. Great beer selections on tap. $3.75 Big Rock pints on Thursdays. Darts in the back. Sometimes they have live entertainment, but mostly it's D.J.s. Not too loud. Door staff are nice. Bathrooms don't suck. It's probably my favorite Whyte Ave bar. I find it friendly. read more

The Black Dog Freehouse - Disco ball. - Pubs Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

I've been in summer and winter (lots) since my last review. Still a top dive bar to hang on the popular Whyte Ave. Still a great price on Grasshopper and nice chat with bar staff. The Dj last time I was in was having some technical difficulties which wasn't pleasant on the eardrums but these things happen. Super place to hit the patio in summer... but we are a while away from those days at the moment. read more

An Edmonton staple for 30 years. Hands-down love this place. Love the staff. Love the prices. Love the rooftop patio. Thank you for being so awesome! read more

The Black Dog Freehouse is a bit rock 'n' roll. It's a bit divey. I'm in! Stopped by on what my coworker told me was an atypically slow Sunday night (we did arrive at midnight, so maybe that's why?). Still there were several patrons lingering around and shuffling in. A DJ was providing the music at one side of the bar and the there was a $3.75 special for a few varieties of local beers. So I had a couple. And a couple whiskies and pretty great time! If you like casual, cool spots with an unpretentious crowd, The Black Dog Freehouse is your spot. I bet it's particularly awesome during warmer months when their outdoor spaces open up. read more

The rooftop patio is pretty great when the sun is shining. You can't beat the drink specials and laid back atmosphere on a summer day. It's also great to be outside on Whyte without having cars screech right past your table. We ordered all of our drinks at the bar. There didn't seem to be servers walking around. Also, I'm pretty sure they don't serve food as I didn't see anyone eating. Is this possible? In any case, I would just plan to have a drink or two. Also note, there's a $10 minimum if you're using credit. Either bring cash or plan to leave your card with the bartender. read more

I can't believe I haven't reviewed the Black Dog yet. Sooo, this has been my pub of choice for eight years. I'm not sure I can even explain why I like it so much, but here's trying: 1. The ambiance is great. Weekends are wild (I'm more of a one-pint-after-work gal, so I avoid Whyte during peak times), but weekday evenings and Sunday afternoons are amazing. It's really just a nicely decorated pub in a great location and with awesome music. I love people watching from the stools at the front. The front windows open up in the summer, so there's just a small ledge between you and the street. The patio upstairs is also wonderful and the indoor portion has a disco ball and an ever-changing rotation of music, thanks to some awesome local DJs. The basement isn't really my jam (atmosphere-wise), but they do have a GREAT comedy show and some more great music down there. I love when they have musicians on the main floor stage - it's a super intimate atmosphere 2. The staff are awesome. I've known many staff members who have come and gone since I started frequenting the Black Dog and they're all superb. 3. Cheap beer! $3.75 Grasshopper pints at happy hour (which is basically the only time I go, because I'm boring). There are no fancy cocktail menus or huge beer selections, but the prices are great! Really, there's something super special about this place. read more

Super cute patio upstairs with tons of space. Only a few beers on tap which gives it a nice "small town" feel, if you will. Service was non existent (not a bad thing!) so we had to go to the bar to order and pay right away. My one complaint is that there was a live artist playing downstairs as well as a DJ on the patio upstairs. This made the noise level way too high and it was distracting/headache inducing. Overall though, great experience at the Black Dog. Can't believe it took me a year and a half to try this patio out! read more

I came here with my buddy a while ago on a weekend night. We ordered a couple beers, then went to our table and drank them. We went back up to the bar to get a couple more pints, but the bartender told us he wouldn't serve us because we didn't tip last time. I've never been back. read more

This is where the party is at. Even on a Monday night. At 1145pm. Where the special is pints for $3.75 and shots at a matching price. For of a dime-note you can get yourself a shot of Jameson and a brew. And everyone between the ages of 18 and early-20-something knows it. I wandered in to this pub-cum-dive-bar looking for a quick nightcap of what was hopefully a local brew, and I encountered the party. You know that song that just goes "shots, shots, shotsshotsshots!" over and over? Yeah, I think that song is stupid too. But sitting at the bar drinking my local pint of some honey-brown ale I felt like I was in a pubbed out version of the official video for that song. Wasted drunk kids yelling over music that was recorded well before they were born were screaming out to each other from across the bar: "SHOTS!" From sauced locals to random transient passers-by (like a pair of girls who, when asked why they had come to Edmonton from Toronto replied "You know that coca-based liquor Agwa? Yeah, that stuff is crazy.") the crowd in here is, well, what you'd expect, I guess. Lots of drunkenness, lots of yelling, lots of party. Burt surprisingly, the bartenders here are friendly. Maybe it's my American sensibilities, but I'm used to bartenders in situations like this being surly, or simply indifferent. But I found the guy behind the bar, amidst the chaos, making eye contact, giving me great service, and offering sage advice ("If you need another beer, just YELL!") This is not usually the kind of environment I'd usually seek out for a quiet beer, but I do have to say I was greatly entertained by the debacle unfolding around me. If I wanted to tie one on and get rowdy, I might roll in here, and if that's your goal, I can say that you'll find plenty of like-minded friends in here on a Monday night. read more

The Black Dog just is what it is. None of the staff are trying to be anything they're not. Sometimes they're nice, sometimes they're average, but if you're acting like a dick they will grab you by the neck and toss you into the street. The beer is cheap and the music is almost always good. There are three levels and they're always all cramped. Different music on each level, so if you're tired of one thing, you don't even have to leave the bar to get a lil taste of something else. The basement is tiny but they have some good nights. I don't necessarily love the Wooftop patio as much as everyone else. It's pretty nice, but it's pretty small and, of course, EVERYBODY wants to be up there in the summer, so there's hardly ever anywhere to sit. Downside - no real dance floor on any of the levels so hard to bust a move if you feel so inclined. Very chill bar where pretty much anyone is welcome. They do what they want and do it well. Great place to go to avoid the rest of the ridiculous bars on Whyte. read more

Black Dog has quite a reputation in Edmonton. All the people who say they hate bars in Edmonton, love Black Dog. It's understandable though. At Black Dog, you don't the usual crowd you get at other bars. You get people who are out to have fun with friends without getting so trashed that they think they look good "dancing" on speakers. Black Dog feels like your neighbourhood pub . . . but on steroids. It's got a homey, old-fashioned feel but it's still up-to-date, modern, and fun. The dim lighting creates a great atmosphere and the rooftop patio is even better. Yep, Black Dog has 3 levels! They have a patio on the roof and it is the best place to chill on Whyte Ave. If you are sick of the Edmonton bar scene but still want to go out with friends, check out Black Dog! It might just change your mind! read more

The Black Dog is a cool spot on Whyte. It's maybe a little bit hipster for my tastes, but it's got plenty of different beers on tap and for not a bad price, either. It wasn't too busy on the Tuesday evening that I popped in here for after-work drinks. Mostly our crew, a few other random tables of students and the like, and also a dog. Running around the place. Cute and well-behaved, but odd. No waiter service that night, just paying up at the bar, which is a bit of a pain but nothing major. Can't wait to come back for patio season! read more

*sniff* Do you smell that? Smell what? It smells like... updawg. What's updawg?? WAAAZZZUUUP DAWG! The Black Dog's got attitude. At least, a good portion of the staff do. They're nice enough for sure, keep the drinks coming, the tables cleared, etc. But it's certainly not the pretty smiles and short skirts you'd get down the street. Thankfully. This was where I spent my Sunday evening last weekend. We arrived early hopin' to grab a bite to eat, only to find there's no food. Just some chips. How a pub gets away with not serving food, I'm not sure. The "wooftop" patio is pretty nifty though. That'd make for a decent party if you ever rented out the upper floor. Drinks were nice and cheap, we were doing rounds of 2 Keiths and one Maker's Mark, which made for a total of $12.75 a round. How did I not drink here more when I was a student at the U of A? Go for the beer and stay for the.... beer. read more

Black Dog has a lot of good things about it. The music is decent here for a pub, a tad on the louder side I guess - but I'm used to that as a standard feature nowadays. A decent selection of drinks with regular beers on tap and a few international brands in bottle. I particularly like that they have Glenfiddich 12 year old and Hendricks Gin at affordable prices. They sell at about $5.25 an ounce, which is good for high end spirits like them. The crowd is varied, from the young, college going punk rockers, to the mid-30s crowd of "earners" (if you will). I like the ambience in general, for a bar like feel, and also like that they have 3 storeys of space which is awesome. Their main floor is a little cramped up, but they have an upstairs floor which includes a patio and a regular room with a lot more seating; the downstairs floor is a little smaller, but still pretty good. read more

I have been coming to the Black Dog for the last decade, and although they've changed management, the spirit of the place has stayed relatively the same. Boasting three different rooms, the main floor, the Under Dog downstairs and the Woof Top upstairs, the Dog has a spot that will cater to the darkened pub-goer, the patio-dweller, and the seedy-under-belly-lover. I come here on Thursdays, when Big Rock pints are usually on special - because I love Big Rock, and the special's been in place for ages. The Dog is also one of the few places that stocks Havana Club rum, and doesn't charge a mint for it. With darts on the main floor, a big TV downstairs and frequent live bands and DJs to keep patrons entertained, the Dog is still one of the best pubs on Whyte Avenue. Go. Now. Especially if it's Thursday read more

I'm 33 years this old, and I have been going to this pub since I've was 18. The atmosphere is casual and fun. The clientele are all types of people. There are three floors so you can choose the vibe you want to go to. Their patio has been voted best in Edmonton and is always a great go to spot in the summer. Great prices: $3.75 pints and everything is on sale when it is happy hour (2-7 on Saturdays; I'm unsure of the schedule the rest of the week). Friendly staff. An Edmonton staple. read more

A very cool little place with beer and other drinks at reasonable prices and great music on a regular basis. The main floor can get very full very fast, especially on a Saturday evening. read more

The Black Dog is a Whyte Ave institution, a great dive bar that has stood the test of time. Its beat up interior hints at the storied life it's lived, and to say that it has character is an understatement. I love coming here on a summer day for some time on the lovely rooftop patio. Often, Black Dog brings in excellent DJs, making for the perfect lazy weekend afternoon. The servers are friendly, but it's mainly bar service, so don't grab a table and wait; you may get lost in the shuffle! Also, be sure to eat before you come here as there is no food served, to speak of. Cozying up on the main floor during the winter months is fun, too. I like to sit at the window seats where I can people watch. A definite must-stop on any Whyte pub crawl, and a perfect spot for a casual drink. read more

The black dog is not pretentious. It serves cheap beer, has an eclectic crowd, and the best patio in town. Depending on when you go, it seems like a completely different place, and the three levels also attract different crowds. I Iove it most on summer afternoons. A pint, a great patio, and what else could you need. They also have great live music on Saturday afternoons which is a cosy fun way to spend a day, especially in the winter. read more

One of the best pubs I've been to. I went to the black dog with my fellow Fine Arts classmates and was astonished by the welcoming vibes. This place is usually packed on weekends, but still manages to uphold it's reputation as a cozy, laid back, and inexpensive bar. Downstairs is a band and dancing area with a large bar. Upstairs is an even better scene--a small bar by the stairs infront of a room edged with large booths. Had an awesome time here. Would highly recommend. read more

I've never been a huge fan of this place but always seem to go here because of friends. It's better during the week. Weekends its infested with young kids doing drugs, especially downstairs. But it is kool that there's three different "scenes" I guess on each floor. You never really know but there's always good music playing somewhere. The bouncers are usually very nice, and I've known a few people who work there for years. The patio upstairs is nice too. The downstairs bathrooms are really gross and every time I end up there on a weekend I end up having to deal with girls doing coke in there. I think the one thing to improve this place is make the security in the basement a little less lax, and maybe turn the lights up down there lol. Other than that I don't mind the black dog as much as I used to. read more

Been coming here for 20 years. Good beer, great vibe and a rooftop patio that can't be beat; one of the best patio spots in the city. read more

The roof top patio is what usually draws me in here. It's always very busy and service is super slow. The drinks are nothing special; They do carry jerkface 9000 which makes it better in my books. They have some fun theme nights and since there's generally no cover you can check them out for free. This is a good spot to stop if you're bar hopping on Whyte but it isn't a place I would spend an entire evening. read more

This bar is known for having one of the best outdoor spaces to drink at on Whyte Ave. Known as the "wooftop patio," when you walk into the bar you ascend a very narrow stairwell on the right and it takes you up to a second-story rooftop space where you can chill at one of the tables or benches. I've been up there when the outdoor bar was open and also when there was only one waitress running up and down the stairs serving and taking orders. It's best to buy your beer downstairs and carry it up with you, rather than wait for the waitress to find you and take your order. It can get hot up here and there aren't any umbrellas, so don't forget your sunscreen and a hat. Warning: when heading back inside, wait until you've adjusted to the light change before you descend those steep stairs to go to the bathroom. I've almost taken a tumble a few times. Beer can give one wobbly knees, plus it's pretty dark inside. I've never liked it in the main bar. It feels dank and musty and it's often overcrowded. So if the weather's not nice enough to sip bevvies outdoors I wouldn't think to come here. I'd rather head down the street to Elephant & Castle or Hudson's. read more

The Black Dog Freehouse - Up on the Wooftop. - Pubs Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

One of my favourite places to grab a beer on a Friday. Cozy, low key atmosphere with a variety of music depending on which floor you're on. This little whyte ave pub frequently hosts local bands as well as Edmonton stand up comedians at their underdog comedy show on Thursdays. Always a good place to grab a pint and meet new people! read more

Every time I've been to the Black Dog it's been in the summer and every time I've had a great time. They have an amazing patio and lots of places to sit inside. Definitely, more of a hipster hangout and the crowd is generally a bit older which is great! The bar tenders are fun and the large booths make for a great time with friends. This isn't your typical Whyte Ave bar which I really appreciate. Not only is it a different scene of people the alcohol is much cheaper than any of the bars down the street. Check this place out if you are bored of the regular Edmonton hangouts! read more

Ahhh, the Black Dog. I always find myself ending up here, but never staying long enough. I enjoy the Upstairs and the "Wooftop" in the summer, along with the Basement. I find they play the music too loud on the main floor, but I'm glad they do at the same time, because while I may not like the volume, other people seem to enjoy it. And at least it's all good music. Also, the bartenders here are awesome, skilled, and have a friendly attitude...except for that one who stopped serving drinks to our guy friends because he didn't notice them tipping, I've never had a bad night here :) read more

I don't really notice it anymore, but it used to be that every time I walked into the Black Dog I'd be hit by the smell of the quintessential English pub: old wood soaked in beer, with an underlying hint of barf. Don't worry, you get used to it. Black Dog's main floor has kind of a homey feel, with typical pub-type photos and junk covering the walls and dim lighting that's very pleasant on both hungover Sunday afternoons and weekend nights when you're crammed into the place like sardines. They sometimes host daytime shows, and anyone can enjoy a game of darts at the back. Upstairs is a lovely rooftop patio and another bar, sleeker, loungier, with more of an upscale feel. And the basement, only open sometimes, is pretty bare-bones but is where I spend most of my time. Saturday nights host the city's best DJ night and pretty much the only place to be if you're into '70s punk, powerpop, '60s tunes, pub rock and reggae (and need a break from New City). It's impossible to know what to expect, as the crowd can range from empty room to impromptu wild dance party to shoulder-to-shoulder crowds erupting into huge brawls. But at least the music is always consistent! read more

Excellent bar on the Ave! One of my favourite spots to hit up especially in the summer. They have one of the best patios on Whyte that overlooks the Ave and it gives you the feeling that you are in a magical city as you gaze at the sky. Get there early as you will be lucky to find a table on the upper patio once the sun sets. Comedy Thursdays in the basement. A free comedy night that's always a laugh. Some jokes may not be the best or rather inappropriate, but for a free show you cannot go wrong. Plus, you can always drop in for a bit and then head out. I would suggest coming early though to snag a seat. read more

By far the best summer bar to hit up on the Ave. I enjoy the patrons there as it seems every body getr along...there arent any jersey shore types here lol. Its a real mellow atmosphere and the alchol is cheap. The music is real hip and modern. They have there 3 different floors which tends to cater to 3 different styles. I really enjoy this bar I hate going to clubs and this is the perfect hangout. Enjoy a sol and watch the crowd. REAL REAL GOOD TIMES. read more

One of my favourite bars on Whyte Ave, has a funky, old atmosphere with very reasonably priced drinks. They always have different bands playing which definitely bring in the crowds. Absolutely love the roof top patio in the summer, one of the best by far! read more

Cold beer good music and a fun crowd, when in town hit the Black Dog and enjoy yourself Whyte Ave. style. Ohh and fix your map, its got you north of the river and this ain't no northside joint ;) read more

Cool little pub. Great place to grab a beer, especially during patio season! This is one my and my friends' favorite places to hangout.

Chicken wings stunk and there was garbage everywhere. The bartender kept winking at me.

My absolute favourite bar on Whyte Ave. The Black Dog is a truly God's-honest pub: drinking a pint of Guinness, standing on the main floor with your foot on the bar rail, listening to the overloud band crammed into a tiny corner, with sweaty patrons squeezing past you, you will feel something magical. The regular prices are quite standard, the service is excellent, and the atmosphere feels the closer to a proper neighbourhood pub than most of the other places on Whyte. The Black Dog is loud for all of the right reasons: obstreperous carousers and good music (not the ubiquitous Top 40 slag prevalent in other establishments). The Black Dog is a real bar, not a club; it serves real beer (read: Guinness on tap), plays listenable music, and has the unpretentious quality that makes it a natural choice for discerning folks like yours truly. As others on here have said, and I will repeat: The Black Dog is the bar for those who have no interest in the "bar scene." read more

I used to really like the Black Dog, it was a fun laid back place. Went today and I didn't see a server for the first 20 minutes. I guess it's expected that you serve yourself there. The chairs on the patio are horrible! I left because I couldn't sit for more than 10 minutes! read more

Character bar with unmatched location.Lost its crowd from the 90's heyday.Still a cool place to be seen though.Everyone seems to be waiting for the crowd to come in that never does.Last place I saw Joe Bird,sniff sniff.Has a few people on its wall of fame, hard core avenuers they were,a testament to the places appeal. read more

The Black Dog is always a good time. It can get pretty crowded on the weekends but the drinks are well priced, and the music is good. We had a favourite bartender, but since he's gone we haven't been by much... bring him back.. you know who I'm talking about. read more