Over the past decade, The Common at The Forks has become far more than a place to grab a drink. It’s become a gathering place. A meeting spot. A patio where friendships deepen, celebrations unfold, first dates happen, coworkers connect after work, visitors experience Winnipeg, pets lounge in the sun, and people soak up summer along the rivers.
This June, The Common celebrates its tenth anniversary, marking 10 years of shared experiences, carefully curated beer and wine selections, and countless moments spent together at The Forks.
When The Common, the beer-and-wine kiosk, first opened in 2016 as part of the revitalization of The Forks Market by Number TEN Architectural Group, it introduced an entirely new way for people to experience the site. Visitors could wander throughout both floors of The Forks Market with a beer or a glass of wine in hand, creating a relaxed, social and connected atmosphere.
“Back in 2014/2015 was when we really dove into our leasing model and started thinking about a new approach to ensure there was ‘always something new’ for visitors,” said Chrystle McIntosh, Director of People, Culture and Hospitality at The Forks. “Prior to the renovation, the Market was closing at 6 pm. Now, The Common and The Forks Market are a destination day and night, extending the visitor experience into the evening and making shopping and dining hours more accessible to all!”
Largest Licensed Patio in Manitoba
The sense of gathering only grew stronger in 2019 with the opening of The Outdoor Common, designed by Number TEN Architectural Group. The outdoor expansion extended beverage service beyond the market building and into the heart of the site, creating a lively public gathering space overlooking the junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers.
Today, The Outdoor Common includes 450 seats, making it the largest licensed outdoor patio in Manitoba and one of the largest in Western Canada.
“Once the outdoor bar opened up in 2019, that was a real game-changer,” said Chrystle. “It allowed folks to wander indoors and outdoors with their drinks within our licensed area. It was a really big deal at the time, and I believe it helped pave the way for other outdoor concepts that followed.”
Something for Everyone
While the atmosphere and experience are at the heart of The Common, the drink program itself has also become a signature feature. The rotating menu includes carefully curated craft beer, wine, non-alcoholic and gluten-free options, with a strong focus on local breweries and Manitoba makers.
Ten Fast Facts:
- The wine menu changes four times a year, and the beer list is updated frequently.
- There have been 40 wine flips and several hundred beer flips over the years.
- Every year the most ordered item sold is a beer flight.
- White wine, specifically Pinot Grigios, is the most ordered wine.
- Beer is the most-sold product with over 250,000 pints poured in 2025.
- Nine taps are always reserved for locally brewed beers. These taps are rotated monthly (the other taps are rotated quarterly), meaning 60 different Winnipeg-made beers flow through The Common annually.
- The drink list at The Common is always available to view online.
- UnCommon Pours events take place throughout the year. These are curated by Wine Expert Ben Sigurdson and in-house Craft Beer Curator Hailey Tennant, where visitors enjoy expertly paired bites and drinks.
- The Common team are always willing to help you try something new or pour an old fave.
- Profits from The Common are reinvested into all areas of The Forks, including infrastructure, events and more.
Ten Years of Great Memories
When it first opened, Mike Green from Winnipeg Economic Development and Tourism noted that “there is simply nothing else like The Common in Canada,” and we totally agree.
Ten years later, that spirit still rings true. And now, it’s time to celebrate.
Join us for The Common 10 Years on Tap:
Tuesday, June 9
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Indoor & Outdoor Common at The Forks
Enjoy live music, a photobooth, drink specials, appy hour and more as we raise a glass to ten years of gatherings at The Common. Stay up to date on the event here.