Pub entertainment in Canada
-
A
Lennox Pub
This narrow Granville St drinkery never seems to have enough tables to go around at the weekend, when the noise levels prevent all but the most rudimentary of conversations. It’s a different story during the week, when calm is restored and you can savor a good roster of 15 drafts from Belgium and beyond – try the Leffe or Big Rock Grasshopper. The decor is reproduction old-school and the upstairs seating area is a popular couples’ nook.
reviewed
-
B
Cambie
While this increasingly gentrified area still has plenty of dodgy dive bars that are best avoided, the Cambie is a local legend that most Vancouverites love, even if they haven’t been here for years. Summer nights on the raucous patio are grungy fun, but perching at a sticky bench table inside with the boozy-but-friendly regulars is a blast. You’ll be treated to some of the cheapest suds – go for a Cambie Pale Ale – in town plus a $7.50 burger and beer deal that’s seriously good value.
reviewed
-
C
Charlatan
Reinventing the old Bukowski’s bar, the charming Charlatan has quickly become a Drive favorite. In summer the windows are flung open and the tiny patio is crowded, while in winter it becomes a cozy joint to watch the game or just chat in a corner. The hearty food covers a wide array of comfort dishes, while the 20-strong draft beer selection runs the gamut from Strongbow to Sleemans. Food-wise, go with the pulled pork burger or brisket sandwich.
reviewed
-
D
Bières & Compagnie
This relaxed pub has a great choice of European and local microbrews alongside excellent pub grub and mussels.
reviewed
-
E
Duke of Duckworth
Duke of Duckworth 'The Duke,' as it's known, is an unpretentious English-style pub that represents all that's great about Newfoundland and Newfoundlanders. Stop in on a Friday night, and you'll see a mix of blue-collar, white-collar, young, old, even band members from Great Big Sea plunked down on the well-worn, red-velour bar stools. The kitchen cooks the ultimate in chicken pot pie, fish cakes and other comfort foods, and 14 beers (including the local Quidi Vidi) flow through the taps.
It's no wonder there are locals out there racking up around C$1000 tabs every few months.
reviewed
-
F
Brickhouse
On a sketchy strip of Main St that most people avoid, you’d expect the Brickhouse to be just as skuzzy as the nasty-ass dive bars surrounding it. But stepping inside here is a revelation. In Vancouver’s most eclectic bar, you’ll find redbrick walls lined with Christmas lights and fish tanks. The room is studded with junk-shop coffee tables and sagging couches. Popular with artsy locals and in-the-know hipsters, it’s like hanging out in someone’s old-school den. Grab a Storm Scottish Ale at the bar, slide onto a perch and start chatting: you’re bound to meet someone interesting.
reviewed
-
G
Nevermind
Casual-but-cavernous, this dark, subterranean bar is popular with University of British Columbia (UBC) students. They come for the cozy log-lined back room – there’s also a large patio outside for summer quaffing – and a large drinks list that covers all the bases. Sleeman and Okanagan Springs beers are available but there’s also a large and well-priced cocktail selection – some are available by the pitcher for group imbibing. The food menu is equally intriguing, having standard burgers and pizzas alongside lesser-expected recommendations like mahi mahi tacos.
reviewed
-
H
St Augustine’s
Looking like a regular neighborhood sports bar from the outside, step inside St Aug’s and you’ll find the largest array of on-tap microbrews in the city. Most are from BC –look out for highlights from Salt Spring Brewing, Central City Brewing and Tin Whistle Brewing – but there’s usually an intriguing selection or three from south of the border. Drop by for Monday evening’s cask night and you’ll find an extra special tipple on offer. The food is of the standardpub-grub variety and if you drink too much, the SkyTrain station is just a few steps away.
reviewed
-
I
Railway Club
A local-legend, pub-style music venue, the upstairs ‘Rail’ is accessed via an unobtrusive wooden door next to a 7-Eleven. Don’t be put off by the grungy-looking entrance: this is one of the city’s friendliest bars and you’ll fit right in as soon as you roll up to the bar – unusually for Vancouver, you have to order at the counter, since there’s no table service. Expect regional microbrews from the likes of Tree Brewing and Central City (go for its ESB) and hit the hole-in-the-wall kitchen for late-night nosh, including burgers and quesadillas.
reviewed
-
J
Three Lions Café
Vying with the Irish Heather for the ‘best Vancouver gastropub’ title, this small, Brit-owned bar has a dedicated local following. Pulling both Tetley and London Pride on tap – as well as a good array of bottled ciders – the service here is excellent and the food (including great pies, Indian-style curries and a truly smashing lamb burger) is made-to-order from locally sourced ingredients. Drop by for the excellent weekend breakfast or try the ever-popular quiz night held every second Tuesday. Good spot to watch soccer games on TV.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Fringe Café
An ever-friendly locals’ hangout, the tiny Fringe is a reminder of Kitsilano’s counterculture heritage, from its funky, memorabilia-lined walls to its chatty, bar-propping regulars. Russell Brewing beers –here called Ugly Boy Lager and Dirty Girl Pale Ale – are usually on special, but there’s also a surprisingly large array of international bottled brews that usually includes everything from Tyskie to Tuborg. If you’re hungry, head for the Sherpa’s Pie, the best of several hearty house-cooked entrées on the one-page menu.
reviewed
-
L
Mill Marine
The food here is nothing special, but the waterfront panoramic patio views of Coal Harbour and the North Shore mountains more than make up for it. There’s a small but impressive beer selection – try the Whistler Brewing Pale Ale – as well as summer-friendly cocktail slushies, while the nosh is generally of the pizzas and pasta variety. If you’re in this area on a sunny day, drop by: it’s one of the best spots to catch a signature Vancouver vista – arrive before 5pm or you’ll be wrestling the locals for a table.
reviewed
-
M
Black Frog
A few steps from the Steam Clock but occupying a side-street blind spot, this smashing Edmontonian-run bar does everything right, from its friendly staff to its perfect pub-grub menu. In summer, aim to bask on the wood-deck patio – covered against the rain – and tuck into the full array of Big Rock beers from across the border in Alberta (Traditional Ale is the way to go). Food-wise, favorites include hearty burgers, sandwiches and baked Stilton, but consider the great two-person ploughman’s lunch instead.
reviewed
-
N
Wolf & Hound
One of the city’s best Irish bars, this perfectly comfy pub is also popular with assignment-avoiding UBC students. It’s not surprising they can’t tear themselves away: there’s a den-like back room to watch sports, cover-free Celtic music on Friday and Saturday and a menu of comfort-food classics: go for the lamb stew or steak and Guinness pie. Harp, Kilkenny and Smithwick’s Red Ale join Ireland’s fave stout on the beer list: you can try all four in a sampler that’s the same price as a pint.
reviewed
-
O
Whip
The wood-floored Whip fuses the best in pub and lounge approaches. There’s a dare-inviting selection of seven martinis, each named after a deadly sin (lust is always recommended) and a good menu with tempting treats such as yam frites and pad Thai. But it’s the beer that wins regulars, with choice drafts from R&B Brewing, Storm Brewing and Quebec’s infamous Unibroue. Consider dropping by on a Sunday afternoon when it cracks open a guest keg.
reviewed
-
P
Ziggy’s
Walking into this European-style pub and sports bar, you’d never guess it was once the watering hole of some of Montréal’s most infamous writers and journalists (boisterous late newspaper columnist Nick Auf der Maur practically lived here). These days, Ziggy’s features imported draft beer, nine televisions and celebrity memorabilia, included a hockey jersey autographed by Habs hero Maurice ‘The Rocket’ Richard.
reviewed
-
Q
Doolins
The best-looking Irish bar in Vancouver – take a quick tour of the cavernous wooden-beamed and stained-glass interior before finding your perch and hitting the menu. Not surprisingly, Guinness tops the draft popularity stakes but you’ll also find lesser-expected alternatives like Murphy’s and Caffrey’s. There’s also an extensive pub grub menu (the pulled pork sandwich is good) plus live toe-tapping Celtic music most nights. Clamorous on weekends.
reviewed
-
R
Cardero’s
Between Coal Harbour’s bobbing boats, Cardero’s is a stellar waterfront pub with cozy leather sofas, a wood-burning fireplace and great marina-side views. The small bar has a good menu of comfort food (the oyster burger is excellent) and the booze selection showcases a dozen or so drafts, from Strongbow to local Red Truck Lager. There’s live guitar music most weekday nights and a full seafood restaurant – with patio – parked alongside.
reviewed
-
S
Atlantic Trap & Gill
Hanging on to the end of Robson St, this cheery East Coast tavern is a great spot to indulge in hearty seafood pub grub and a pitcher or three of Trap Lager, the house beer that’s usually on special. The interior is comfy roadhouse but, in summer, make for the large patio and soak up some of the sunshine: you’ll still be able to hear the Celtic-inspired bands that keep the party atmosphere going on Thursdays and Saturdays.
reviewed
-
T
C’est What
Over 30 whiskeys and six dozen Canadian microbrews (mostly from Ontario) are on hand at this underground pub. An in-house brewmaster tightly edits the all-natural, preservative-free beers on tap. There’s live music most nights at the Music Showbar next door. There’s good grub as well – the menu encompasses all-local meats, including peameal bacon from St Lawrence Market next door as well as free-range bison.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
Fountainhead Pub
The area’s loudest and proudest gay neighborhood pub, this friendly joint is all about the patio, which spills onto Davie St like an overturned wine glass. Expect to take part in the ongoing summer evening pastime of ogling the passing locals or retreat to a quieter spot inside for a few lagers (Red Truck Beer is recommended) or a naughty cocktail: anyone for a Sicilian Kiss or a Slippery Nipple?
reviewed
-
V
Backstage Lounge
This often-hopping Granville Island hangout serves up winning patio views and some cool local live bands. The bar is lined with more than 20 BC microbrew taps from the likes of Dead Frog, Lighthouse and Red Truck – Bowen Island Cream Ale is on special on Tuesdays for $3 – so you won’t go thirsty as you taste-trip around the province. The tempting food menu includes a good tandoori-chicken pizza.
reviewed
-
W
Dinghy Dock Floating Pub
The name is no lie; this popular pub and restaurant combo floats offshore from Protection Island. See Nanaimo from the outside (especially pretty at night), rub shoulders with some salty locals and knock back a few malty brews. The menu doesn't stretch far beyond standard pub fare but there's live music on weekends. To access the pub, take a 10-minute ferry ride from the harbor.
reviewed
-
X
Sir Winston Churchill Pub Complexe
This Rue Crescent staple is the go-to spot of the block. Winnie’s cavernous, split-level pub draws a steady crowd of tourists and students and an older Anglo crowd. In fact, the late, great author Mordecai Richler used to knock back cold ones in the bar upstairs. With multiple bars, pool tables and pulsating music, meals are served all day and happy-hour drink specials abound.
reviewed
-
Y
Grumpy’s Bar
This unassuming basement bar is a former stomping ground of Anglo intellectuals of an era gone by. Open-mic night presents stand-up comedy and spoken word on Wednesday, and most nights feature live blues, jazz, rock, country or folk. Grumpy’s Moonshine on Thursday nights is legendary, with acoustic bluegrass jam sessions reeling in famous local musicians.
reviewed
