Patio season comes early for Saskatchewan bars

The weather was nice Thursday, and it’s going to be even nicer for the weekend.

After being stuck in our houses for the winter, patio season is finally here.

Ryan Grills is one of the owners of The Yard and Flagon Pub on Broadway in Saskatoon. He said the pub opened its patio about two months earlier than usual and people are loving it.

“People have been cooped up so they’re ready to just be outside in nice weather. People feel safer and more comfortable in open air as opposed to being inside,” he said.

He said staff cleared the snow off their roof-top patio early this year because they knew people would be itching to get out there. Having the patio space has been good for business.

“We’re lucky we have a patio because at the end of the day it gives us a few extra seats. We’re so limited indoors with how many seats (we can have under COVID-19 regulations). To be honest, it almost doubles our capacity,” said Grills.

Across town at The Canadian Brewhouse in Stonebridge, general manager Anthony Yuzwa said the patio is popular with the nice weather.

“We’ve got heaters pumping and we have fire tables and we have lights out there. People really, really, really enjoy being outside, especially this time of year. It’s a little bit early, but, hey let’s go for it!” he said.

The forecast calls for sunshine and 14 C for Saskatoon, 15 C in Regina on Friday and 11 C on Saturday.