Whether you’re visiting Vancouver for the first time, or you’ve lived in the city all your life, you might have already crossed paths with a famous face. Sure, you’re nearly guaranteed to run into movie stars, business moguls or famous directors at Just for Laughs Northwest, the Vancouver International Film Festival or the annual TED Conference – but we’ve also seen our favourite celebs indulging at top-rated restaurants (like Blake Lively at Bao Bei) or jamming with the band at live music venues (i.e. KJ Apa jamming at Guilt & Co.)
Ready to hit the town celeb-style? Here are five sultry venues to start.
Gotham Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar Effortlessly elegant and warmly welcoming, Gotham is the place to see and be seen. Guests are treated like celebrities themselves with attentive service, richly flavourful fare and bold cocktails (we recommend the Sleeping Giant, a sparkly combination of gin, vanilla-infused Chartreuse, black walnut orgeat and egg white). Dine here and you’ll count yourself among the likes of George Clooney, Dwayne Johnson and the cast of Twilight, all of whom have enjoyed a night or several at Gotham. Fun fact: Once Upon a Time was filmed here, too.
Prohibition Sultry and glamorous, this underground bar has a speakeasy feel that attracts Jazz Era fans in droves. The bar’s location in the historic Rosewood Hotel Georgia perfectly complements its old-world vibes – as does the celebrity connection. Throughout the years, the Rosewood has played host to bona fide stars like Katharine Hepburn, Elvis Presley and Sir Laurence Olivier, and continues that tradition today with current Hollywood A-listers regularly choosing to shack up at the property. Recent celebrity sightings at Prohibition includeJason Mamoa, star of upcoming Apple show See, which is currently being filmed in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island.
Maenam Flavourful fare combines with a spunky dining area at Maenam, one of the city’s favourite Thai restaurants. Hollywood agrees: famous faces spotted at the hip eatery include Kate Winslet and Seth Rogen. In fact, the former has Tweeted recommendations for his celebrity friends to check out Maenam, too.
Shangri-La Hotel This luxury downtown hotel is made for A-listers with plush interiors, ultra-swanky rooms, and decadent amenities like a five-star spa and award-winning restaurant. Dwayne Johnson is a fan, as evidenced by his Instagram post filmed on the balcony of his hotel room; other famous guests have included Tom Cruise and George Clooney.
Fairmont Pacific Rim Lobby Lounge There’s always something – or someone – to see at the lively lounge in the Fairmont Pacific Rim. Home base for celebrities and business moguls alike, the space is particularly buzzy when big-name conferences come to town (like the TED Conference, which convenes in Vancouver every spring). Featuring live music seven days a week – as well as the city’s first 100 percent OceanWise sushi bar, innovative cocktails, and the acclaimed Botanist Restaurant – the lounge’s effortless hospitality will leave you feeling like a celebrity yourself.
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