Every Thursday evening from summer into fall, people board an old streetcar downtown and head out over the High Level Bridge — less for transit than for good beer, good food and good times.
Hosted by The Common, the restaurant and nightclub nearest to the northside terminal of the historic High Level Bridge Streetcar, the Streetcar Cask Party offers a 75-minute experience filled with beer enthusiasts in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The event features unique treats made specifically for the occasion, along with rotating casks from breweries across Alberta that create small-batch brews exclusively for this event (on my trip, I sipped a raspberry ale with blackberry from Grizzly Paw Brewing) — casks you won’t find in stores or even on The Common’s in-house taps.
The journey begins at the streetcar stop behind The Common, where you’re warmly welcomed by the friendly, almost grandfatherly streetcar operators of the Edmonton Radial Railway Society, dressed in their iconic button-up shirts and caps — they’re total gems — along with the helpful staff from The Common.
Each ride includes two types of beer, light snacks, and time spent parked above the North Saskatchewan River at sunset. Views include the downtown skyline, the University of Alberta and the Walterdale Bridge.
Now running nine-years strong, passengers have previously been treated to mac and cheese, tostadas, charcuterie cups and desserts. Chef Stuart Whyte offers a set menu, but dietary restrictions can usually be accommodated with notice. Just don’t expect it to fill you up — it’s a snack-sized portion and for good reason: there are no bathrooms on the train! (So go easy on the beer, too.)
It’s a fun experience with a drink in hand and the sunset reflecting off the river beneath. Bring a date or bring a friend.
Tickets are $63.10 and include the streetcar ride, two beers, snacks and a drink ticket which you can use at The Common after the event.
