Discover Kelowna’s best bars, pubs, and patios with advice from Wicked Tours, the Okanagan tour professionals.
BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery
Gastropub serves up craft beer and nostalgia galore.
While not common knowledge, Kelowna featured a robust tobacco industry in the early 1900s before the fruit industry eventually took over in the city’s early days. Remnants of Kelowna tobacco can still be found today in an old barn our tour guides highlight on our Okanagan Wine Tours and at BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery.
BNA’s name is a nod to its roots – the British North American Tobacco Company. BNA Brewing is an old tobacco factory where leaves dried and cigars rolled many moons ago. After the fruit industry took off, the building became a cannery for years, with other tenants to follow, until local developers breathed new life into its gorgeous brick and beam-laden bones, and BNA Brewing was born.
BNA has a lot to offer. A two-story former factory, the place is enormous, and they’ve done their best to include a tonne of activities to keep the worst case of ADHD occupied. Primarily a craft brewery and gastropub, BNA offers an extensive list of craft beers and other BC craft breweries and a solid local wine and cocktail list. The lower level houses the bar, Brewery, and kitchen, but the second level is crazy! Upstairs, BNA boasts a bowling alley, old-school arcade games, a bocce court, and the centrepiece – an Airstream trailer converted to a bar. The installation of said bar required knocking a hole in the second-floor exterior wall, hoisting the trailer in, and then re-bricking the wall. That’s dedication! And it was worth it; it’s pretty cool, cranking the mid-century modern vibes and nostalgia to 11.
Be prepared for line-ups during the busier summer months; reservations are available and recommended for dinner, large groups, and bowling.
Micro Bar Bites
Hand-made cocktails at Kelowna’s original tapas bar.
An offshoot of RauDZ Regional Table and two doors down on Ellis Street, Micro Bar Bites is a literal description: a small space with limited seating, and an equally tiny patio outside, serving up small plates of delicious food. Micro is Kelowna’s original tapas bar and a local favourite for many years. Their skilled and friendly staff prepare fresh cocktails with evident care and attention, featuring high-end, unusual spirits with super-fresh juices, mixers, and garnish. They also feature a solid list of local wine by the glass, including a few international options, which is a nice change for BC wine diehards. Micro also features a rotating selection of taps, with great local and BC craft beers to choose from.
Arguably the best part of Micro is perusing their ever-changing tapas menu and then ordering a steady stream of random plates to nosh at while sipping those tasty cocktails. Choose from hunks of local and imported cheese or a rotating selection of charcuterie (we especially love it when they feature Iberico ham). Warmer options include grilled octopus, fish tacos, potato bravas, and our personal favourite: duck-fat popcorn. Fricking decadent and divine with a crisp glass of Okanagan chardonnay or prosecco.
Hotel Eldorado
19th-century lakeside lounge with old-world charm.
Hotel Eldorado is one of Kelowna’s oldest buildings and hotels, and its lounge has a great vibe. Relax in oversized wingback chairs, soak in the wood panelling and old rowing memorabilia, and enjoy the exclusive club feel while gazing at the hotel marina.
The Hotel Eldorado is a vital piece of Kelowna’s history and is popular with locals and visitors, and it is always a fun place to watch people! Choose from the extensive whisky menu or sip on a classic martini, and we like the crispy buttermilk chicken or the lobster mac n’ cheese for food. Kick it old-school in the lounge and feel like blue blood!
Central Kitchen + Bar
A local staple, Central shines with delicious cocktails and tasty grub.
If you’re a repeat guest with Wicked Tours, you know we always recommend Central Kitchen + Bar, and with good reason: they deliver great food and spirits, with equally excellent service, without fail. They deserve the kudos they receive, not just from us – Central tops at least a few categories in Best of Kelowna every year, including Best Burger, Best Pub, and Best Place to Take a Date. That consistency doesn’t happen much nowadays, especially with an independent restaurant.
The Central Kitchen + Bar underwent a significant expansion and renovation in 2020, and many locals feared they would lose the local vibe we love, but they have not! While their operation added much-needed patio and bar space and more restaurant seating, their kitchen doubled in size, allowing their Chef and kitchen more elbow room to deliver a more comprehensive selection. One of the things we love about Central is they’re constantly evolving while staying true to their roots: great food and service. Their core menu has stayed true over the years, featuring incredible burgers, crispy pizza, and tasty vegan and gluten-free options. They constantly have rotating seasonal food and drink features showcasing local partners and suppliers. Central is an excellent option for a bite, a delicious cocktail, or local craft beer, and check out our blog on Kelowna’s best breakfast and brunch for more love for the Central team.
DunnEnzies Pizza Co.
Incredible pizza, tacos, and rock n’ roll.
DunnEnzies Pizza Co. has been a local hotspot for years now. Their humble beginnings began at their downtown location, featuring cocktails, beer, on-demand slices, tacos, and take-out. As their popularity grew, they added locations at UBCO, the financial district, and their now flagship Mission location, which features an enormous backyard patio with a 185-year-old London Plane tree, a full menu, and live music events.
DunnEnzies are primarily known for their incredible pizzas, tacos, and rotating taps featuring local craft beer and cider. We’ve had visitors from Eastern Canada ask us about DunnEnzies pizza before we recommend them, and the Maritimers love their pizza, so you know they’re legit! We especially love the Italian-style pizzas and their colossal nachos, which necessitate at least two hungry patrons to finish.
