The Black Dog Freehouse

Orrshow

Alberta (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev +2.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | $$

Visited the Dog recently and I must say it’s among my favorite bars in the city.

The Dog has a fairly small main floor with one bar, but as you explore further in you find that there is a basement (the Underdog) and a roof patio with a sheltered bar/seating area beside it. The three floors usually have different atmospheres which is nice. The basement seemed a lot more relaxed and quiet than the others so I spent most of my time there.

Service was fine. Got my beer in good time and everyone was polite. It was busy when I went so I took into consideration that it wasn’t going to be fantastic.

Beer selection was somewhat mediocre. Typical Big Rock beers, some Canadian macros, not a whole lot to say. There is nothing here that I really like to sip on for taste but most bars around Edmonton don’t have that anyways.

All in all I liked my experience at the dog. Good people, decent prices, plenty of places to sit, and decent music as well. Didn’t hear a lot of new age pop garbage like most places which was nice. I plan to go again…especially for sunny day roof patio beer.

04-26-2006 19:08:02 | More by Orrshow

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -2.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | $$

The nondescript green front made it a place that I might have just strolled past, had it not been for Beer Fly.

The doorway was extreme right, facing and coming in, a stairwell slightly right led down to the bar area. Once inside, a stairwell on the right led upwards to a roof top bar area with its own bar. It was kind of dead on our visit, so I stayed downstairs. A raised seating area with standard tables and chairs plus an upholstered bench ran along the left wall, fronted by tables and chairs. Continuing aft were a mix of high tables and stools along with standard tables and chairs. A long shelf ran along the left wall underlain with coat hooks. The dark wood bar was a long "J"-shape with a Golden Tee and two English Dartboards beyond it, all of the way aft. I dug the bartender, the patrons, and the music. The décor was flat black, the music was British Invasion rock, the clientele was older punks.

Beers: 10 taps - 3 Big Rock (Trad. Ale, Grasshopper, and XO Lager); 3 Sleeman (Original, Draught, Honey Brown Lager, and No. 20); Keith's IPA; Ko Kanee; Strongbow; andGuinness. 23 bottles, but no standouts.

12-25-2009 15:57:05 | More by woodychandler