BARS AND CLUBS
1. The Diamond
This second-floor bar and restaurant (see The Diamond) in hip Gastown has a sophisticated feel with high ceilings and soft lighting. Known for craft cocktails and tapas, it’s a great spot for a date night. You can also see DJs dusting off their vinyl records here nightly.
Dark wood and exposed brick interior of the bar at Diamond
2. The Irish Heather
This gastropub serves up good food, including many pub favorites, in a casual and friendly setting (see Festivals and Events). Shebeen – a whiskey house offering a great selection of more than 300 single malts, bourbon, rye, scotch, and whiskey – is located in this building.
Diners at The Irish Heather gastropub
3. Venue
In the heart of the Granville Street club district, Venue has a 12,000 sq-ft (1,115 sq-m), two-level room with a glam-rock inspired interior. Weeknights feature live shows, while on the weekend the city’s top alternative DJs spin pop, rock, and retro originals, along with bass-heavy electro mixes.
4. Juniper
A sleek, modern bar and restaurant (see Juniper) situated in the vibrant, bustling Chinatown area, Juniper specializes in gin cocktails made using locally procured gins and craft tonics. The dinner menu features a superb range of dishes that are inspired by the flavors of the Pacific Northwest. Be sure to try the seared scallops, roasted duck breast, and bison steak here.
5. The Bimini
2010 W 4th Ave • 604 733 7116
Enjoy modern pub food and local craft beers at this well-established pub in the Kitsilano neighborhood. The dance floor gets lively with locals in the evening. You can also watch live sports on big-screen TVs and play arcade games and pool.
6. The Keefer Bar
With a patio and a funky decor, this swanky and sleek cocktail bar in Chinatown is the perfect place to unwind. It offers medicinal-sounding drinks and Asian inspired cocktails alongside late-night dim sum snacks and fusion small plates. The music is a mix of soul, hip-hop, and funk, and it also features live music.
7. Commodore Ballroom
Established back in 1926, the Commodore Ballroom has seen many musical eras. Catch one of the many great acts and test out the ballroom’s bouncy sprung floor. Updated, and always on the cutting edge of music, this venue lives on as the city’s great-grandfather of clubs.
8. Guilt & Co.
This cool little place (see Guilt & Co.) hosts nightly live performances in an easily missed basement venue beneath the Local in Gastown. Make sure you get there early as they operate a one-in-one-out policy to avoid overcrowding. Indulge in some great cocktails and choose from their extensive whiskey menu.
9. The Roxy
A Vancouver institution, The Roxy hosts top Canadian and local bands, and is a favorite nightspot of the Vancouver Canuck’s hockey team. Line-ups at this popular club are common after 9pm, so be warned and get in line early.
Legendary club The Roxy
10. Granville Island Brewing
The taproom at the center of the brewery that started Vancouver’s craze with small-batch handcrafted beer is on bustling Granville Island. Since 1984 the brewery has consistently promoted the use of natural ingredients and West Coast inspiration – they’ll even advise you on the best beers to drink along with the delicious food offered at the venue, which is made exclusively using local produce.
Beer from Granville Island Brewing
