Sourced from Tacofino
In the lead-up to the wonderfully exuberant Pride Parade on August 5, 2018, in downtown Vancouver, dining establishments around town are offering a host of different ways to celebrate through food and drink.
Whether it’s feasting at a Big Gay Luao or sipping specialty themed cocktails, there are many ways in the city to get in the spirit of Pride.
Royal Dinette (905 Dunsmuir Street)
Feast Hawaiian style at Royal Dinette where executive chef Eva Chin and bar directory Kaitlyln Stewart, both proud members of the LGBTQ2+ community, are hosting a Big Gay Luao on August 2, 2018, from 5:30pm onwards. Diners can enjoy Hawaiian barbecue delectables, such as Huli Huli chicken wings, haupia, poke me bowls, and Maui ribs while supporting Qmunity (a queer, trans, and two-spirited resource centre in the city) with every order of a Tiki drink ($3 from each drink will be donated). Reservations recommended.
Wildebeest (120 West Hastings Street)
The “Last Word” cocktail is given a Pride riff by Wildebeest bartender Drew McGuire, with partial proceeds supporting the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. The “Safe Word” is available July 30 to August 5, 2018, and is a mixture of gin, green chartreuse, cherry brandy, playfully garnished with an orange peel ‘whip’ and BC cherry fruit leather ‘bow.’
Tacofino Taco Bar (15 West Cordova Street)
Get set for a fun-filled Gastown Pride Party on August 3, 2018, from 3pm to 7pm at Tacofino Taco Bar. Four drag performers will be in attendance, dancing to the beats of DJ Gissala. There’ll be Happy Hour specials until 7pm and a Pride-inspired RoSlay Sangria, with rosé, fresh lime juice, El Jimador Blanco, agave nectar, soda, and peaches, strawberries, blueberries, and mint. Tacofino is also supporting Qmunity from August 3 to 6, 2018, with $1 from each RoSlay drink and $2 from each pitcher going to the worthy resource centre.
Café Medina (780 Richard Street)
If you want liquid refreshment and a way to support a good cause, bar manager Marc Slingsby-Jones at Café Medina has concocted the Jewel of Agrabah cocktail, featuring Jasmine-infused vodka, lychee liqueur, poached pear, Blue Curaçao and fresh lemon–all topped with a dried rose bud. Partial proceeds will go to Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. Available July 30 to August 5, 2018.
H2 Rotisserie & Bar (The Westin Bayshore, 1601 Bayshore Drive)
Rainbow cake (vanilla and white chocolate with vanilla icing) can also be found at H2 Rotisserie & Bar from August 2 to 6, 2018. In addition, chefs have come up with pride themed menu items like the cheeky Ru-Prawn’s Drag Race Cocktail (a prawn cocktail with apricot-habanero cocktail sauce) and Wasa-bae Ginger Crab Salad with pickled watermelon, cucumber ribbons, and watercress. You can support the Dr. Peters Aids Foundation by ordering the True Lies cocktail from July 30 to August 6, 2018.
Parq Vancouver (39 Smithe Street)
Sourced from Parq Vancouver Facebook page
Vancouver’s newest and lavish casino/dining/hotel/entertainment complex, Parq Vancouver, is doing Pride in a big way with the stars of Rupaul’s Drag Race hosting their events. There are still tickets left for “Cocktails, Canapes and Queens” on August 4, 2018, from 2pm-7pm at D/6 Bar & Lounge. The lavish celebration features a 3-hour DJ set by drag queen Pearl and a performance by the Brat Pack. The $80 ticket also includes canapés, a specialty pride drink, and access to the rooftop candy lane, with cotton candy machines, ice cream bicycles, and candy stations.
The Parq will also be home to Pride-inspired artwork by Tom Pollock. Two-coloured sculptures that shift in colour through motion detection will be found in D/6 Bar & Lounge, as well as the lobby of the DOUGLAS. Check-in at the hotel will feature Pollock’s glass enclosed Douglas Fir tree trunk in rainbow colours, while the main entrance to Parq Vancouver will also showcase Pollock’s social media photo display with rainbow sculptures.
And from July 30-August 6, 2018, D/6, BC Kitchen, The Victor, and Honey Salt will be selling layered rainbow cake and a signature Pride Cocktail, a mixture of fruit caviar, fresh lemon juice, Stolichnaya vodka, St. Germain liqueur, and champagne.
