I’ve already covered my favourite places to eat in Winnipeg but figured I should also write about something more important; where to drink. During my week in the city I spent time walking around the Exchange District, where there are loads of great places to eat, drink and be merry. With a focus on the latter, I made sure to visit some of the best bars in Winnipeg, so that I could try my share of cocktails, local beers and of course; lots of wine!
If you are more of a foodie, head this way to find the best places to eat in Winnipeg (my favourite restaurants in the city)!
On the list below you’ll find a mix of places, appropriate for anyone wanting to sample some great alcoholic drinks in the city (or for anyone simply wanting to arrange a bar crawl in the Exchange District). You’ll find a microbrewery, a vodka and gin distillery with a tasting room (heyyy martini!), and a bar with an intimate rooftop that arranges wine tastings from time to time. In other words, there is definitely something for everyone here, so keep reading for the best bars in Winnipeg!
Quick Winnipeg Travel Guide
Where to stay: I stayed at, and absolutely loved, the Inn at the Forks. Considering I was there for a full week, I truly got to sample all amenities and offers at the hotel, and wrote an in-depth review that you can read here. Other great hotels in Winnipeg (recommended by other travelers) include the Best Western Plus Winnipeg West ($), The Fort Garry Hotel ($$), and the Delta Hotels by Marriott Winnipeg ($$$).
Where to eat: There are lots of great restaurants in Winnipeg, and my favourites included the Forks Market and the Cibo Waterfront Cafe. I’ve covered all my favourite places to eat in Winnipeg here.
Top activities and tours in Winnipeg:
- Lower Fort Garry
- Smartphone Walking Tours
- The Human Rights Museum
- City Scavenger Hunt
- Private Walking Tour
Packing for Winnipeg: Winnipeg has all the seasons, with long, cold winters and a short but warm summer. Pack according to the season you are visiting, and remember layers if you are visiting in the winter months (my Norway packing guide will be of help).
Airport Transfer: Book your Winnipeg airport (YWG) transfer in advance here.
All Winnipeg and Canada Guides (including this one):
The Best Bars in Winnipeg’s Exchange District
As I have mentioned in my other Winnipeg articles (such as my guide to what to do in Winnipeg), I loved the Exchange District. This Winnipeg area is about 20 blocks near the Red River, and is actually a Natural Historic Site! This is because it houses North America’s best-preserved (and largest) collection of heritage buildings. So there are lots of great reasons to visit the Exchange District. But let’s talk about the alcohol, shall we?
A big shoutout to Haley who I met during a wine tasting (at Forth, which I’ve covered below), and took me around to a couple of these places upon hearing that I was interested in finding the best bars and places to grab drinks in Winnipeg! Thank you!
Patent 5 Distillery
If you walk down a quiet street where you wouldn’t guess there was anything to find, you’ll come across Patent 5 Distillery and their tasting room. I would never have found it unless I had been shown there, and am so happy I went! Patent 5 is a distillery making vodka and gin (my favourite), and their spirits are only available in Manitoba for now (so all you hipsters will love it).
I asked around and found out that Patent 5 was founded after 3 friends who were tired of their day job got together and started distilling alcohol at home. Eventually, they started Patent 5, and in April 2019 their Tasting Room opened. In the Tasting Room you can sample their vodka and gin, and try cocktails made with their own spirits. The photo above is from Patent 5 Distillery, and I can honestly say I recommend the martini!
Find them at 108 Alexander Avenue. Even though the street looks empty, keep going!
Forth
Forth is where I attended the above-mentioned wine tasting, with wines selected by Elevage Selections from two Canadian vineyards. Forth has everything you might need throughout the day, and I would describe it as part cafe, part bar, part lounge and part hangout. There’s a cafe area immediately as you enter, and in addition, they have a rooftop that is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from the afternoon (when the weather permits it). The rooftop is pictured below, and I loved how small and intimate it was!
The lounge/bar at Forth also opens in the afternoon (check the website for exact opening hours), and offers a chilled out environment to have a beer, a cocktail or a glass of wine. If you have a few extra hours to spend in Winnipeg and aren’t quite sure where to go; opt for Forth. Everyone in your group will find something they like here!
Find Forth at 171 McDermot Avenue.
Nonsuch Brewing Co.
Now onto something I never thought I’d be writing about on Fjords and Beaches; a brewery. As someone who doesn’t really like beer, I wasn’t sure what to think, but I absolutely loved the atmosphere at Nonsuch. They have a ceiling made entirely out of golden umbrellas (okay, I’m sure there was something behind them), which I absolutely loved. The main thing to notice in their taproom is the massive wall of taps as you enter, where they’ll have a different amount of beers available to sample.
I actually asked for “a beer for someone who doesn’t like beer”, and silently hoped I didn’t offend anyone. But my server laughed and said they get that often, and poured me something (that I have forgotten the name of) that tasted like heaven! So I can officially no longer say that I don’t like beer! Nonsuch is a great bar to visit in Winnipeg, whether you like beer or not.
Find the Nonsuch Taproom at 125 Pacific Avenue.
The Amsterdam Tea Room
Last, but not least, I’ve got another interesting addition to the list. The Amsterdam Tea Room is within walking distance to all the other bars mentioned (well, they are all in the Exchange District after all), and definitely worth a visit. Here, you’ll find lots of fun cocktails that are all tea-based or tea-infused (and of course, if you want to stay sober they also have lots of great teas to try).
One of the coolest things about the Tea Room is that every Wednesday they get a keg of local beer, and infuse it with tea! So if you want to try a tea-infused beer from Manitoba, you’ll know which day to visit. They also serve Dutch-inspired food throughout the day, so this is definitely a place you can visit for more than a drink.
The Amsterdam Tea Room is located on 211 Bannatyne Avenue.
So there you have some of my favourite (and in my opinion, the best) bars in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Whether you are a wine and cocktail lover (like me) or prefer your IPA’s and Belgian Blondes (those are beers, by the way), you’ll find a bar to love in the Exchange District, I’m sure of it! Have you visited any of these? What bars are you favourite? Leave them in a comment below!
Curious about where I stayed in Winnipeg? Head over to this post to find out (and read my hotel review)!
Want more? Here’s all my Canada content in one place for you to find it easily:
- Things to know before visiting Canada for the first time
- 21 Things to do in Winnipeg, Manitoba
- The best day trips from Winnipeg
- My favourite bars in Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Where to eat in Winnipeg
- Love this hotel: Inn at the Forks, Manitoba
- 6 Unique things to do in Canada
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