Do you like to have a casual drink or two but hate the bar/pub scene?
Fear not, there is now an option for you.
Cafés around Cochrane are now offering a selection of wines, with some places also serving beer.
“We would love for people to know that you don’t have to drive into Calgary anymore to have a relaxing and unique dining or drinking experience. Cochrane has been predominately pubs for alcohol over the years and we now offer a unique venue of relaxing lounge music, local art, local musicians and craft wine where it is OK to just sit and read a book or visit with a friend over a glass of wine,” said Jennifer Lane, owner of The Gentry Espresso Bar.
The two cafés that currently serve alcohol in Cochrane received their liquor licences in June with The Gentry Espresso Bar serving eight to nine different types of wine rotating the selection monthly, and the Hub Café & Wine also serving a selection of wines and beers. Customers can order alcohol as early as 10 a.m. at the Hub and at 11 a.m. at The Gentry.
“It is a good alternative if you are not looking for the pub setting, if you just want to sit down and have a glass of wine then it is a good option,” said Carissa Schuetzle, Hub barista.
While café & wine bars are nothing new to Canada and with Starbucks announcing earlier this year that select stores would start offering evening liquor sales (though not available in town), this is something new to Cochrane.
“I think alcohol has always been trending but when people go to bars it is more of a louder environment where coffee shops are more quiet and chill,” said Juan Pablo Lozano, Hub barista.
And the café owners and staff can agree that all of the feedback has been really positive since liquor sales started.
“We surveyed our customers asking what they would love to see as a transition for the spot and many said it was a shame we didn’t complement our offering of specialty coffee with that of unique wine and shareable food items,” Lane said.
“We have received a lot of positive feedback since we renovated and changed our drink offerings and food. People love to come in later in the (evening) and just sit listening to the music and relaxing with a glass of wine.”
Another new café waiting on its liquor licence is Deja Brew, which once approved by Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) will offer a selection of wines to customers.
“We are excited and looking to get specialists to recommend wines from the area, we are bringing in European beers, and we are also getting the staff to work on some cocktail specials,” said Connor Grey, Deja Brew manager. “We want to have a broader clientele.”
The cafés is hopeful to get their liquor licence in the next four to six weeks.
For more information, all of the cafés have official Facebook pages.
