Photo: Celebrities
After enjoying gorgeous scenery, visiting lively neighbourhoods, and supping on delicious food, your day in Vancouver certainly does not have to end. The city has a vibrant and diverse nightlife scene, ranging from clubs for dancing into the wee hours of the morning, to upscale lounges for sipping on cocktails and mingling.
The Granville Entertainment District
Photo: Good Co. Granville
Without a doubt, the hub of Vancouver’s nightlife is The Granville Entertainment District, located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, roughly along Granville Street from Robson Street to Davie Street. There you’ll find tons of nightclubs, as well as bars for having a fun time.
Here are some highlights of this area of downtown:
There are numerous popular nightclubs on Granville Street. Cabana Lounge features sleek interiors and a variety of areas, including an Eden Lounge, Buddha Bar, VIP Bar, and Main Bar with a nearby DJ Booth. The Pearl (previously the long-running Venue) launched this spring as a new event and live music venue. So far, events have included Fusion Fridays, a Bad Bunny Dance Party, and a Barbie Girls Guilty Pleasures Pop Party.
Other clubs on Granville Street include Studio Lounge and Nightclub, known for its high ceilings and talented and diverse DJs, such as DJ HyunV, Cazok, and THEMOSTWANT3D; the after-hours Club 816; and Aura, a brightly coloured futuristic space with various DJs and themed nights.
Two veteran venues on the Granville Strip are The Roxy Cabaret, where there are tons of good times to be had with their live house bands, DJs, and themed nights (e.g., comedy evenings). Meanwhile, the Commodore hosts a wide variety of musical artists, in addition to hosting themed nights such as Afro Beach Club and House of Pride.
In addition to nightclubs, the Granville Entertainment District is where you can spend time at numerous bars, many also with DJs as well as drinks and eats. Options include Cinema Public House where you’ll find dancing, craft beer, and pub bites; Good Co. with approachable food and drink, plus music and games; Irish pubs such as Donnellan’s and Dublin Calling (home to Par-Tee Putt); and the Granville Room, a brick-walled space for cocktails and rotating DJs. Other spots are The Yale Saloon for barbecue and country and rock ‘n’ roll good times; GRNHSE at The Refinery for cocktails in a second-floor location; El Furniture Warehouse Granville for casual hangs with beer and good company; and The Pawn Shop for tacos and tequila.
Gastown
Photo: Pourhouse
With its cobblestone sidewalks and heritage architecture, Gastown offers atmospheric nightlife. It’s also home to some big nightclubs in the city, including Levels, an expansive nightclub that encompasses three levels of dancing and DJs; the newly opened Playhaus Nightclub with themed nights such as Bollywood/Punjabi nights; and The Red Room, with Latino nights, DJ shows, live music, special events and a sunken dance floor.
As a historic neighbourhood that began with the opening of a pub, Gastown continues its tradition of happening drinking spots. The Blarney Stone, launched in 1972, offers great fun with lots of ale selection, Irish food (e.g., Irish stew), and live music. Guilt and Company hosts live music in a dark and cozy underground setting.
Other great bars/pubs in the Gastown include Clough Club, a vintage-themed cocktail bar; Pourhouse for live music and some of the best cocktails in town; Alibi Room, another long-running place, known for its extensive craft beer selection; the Lamplighter Public House for low-key drinking and socializing; and The Portside Pub, a Maritime-inspired spot with DJs and live music. Gastown is the perfect sport for a pub crawl over the course of a night with friends.
Yaletown
Photo: The Stock Room
Sleek Yaletown comes alive in the evenings with its many bars and lounges. The nightclub draw is Bar None, a warehouse converted into a dance venue where you’ll find local and international Djs spinning tunes. It’s the perfect second destination after dinner in the area.
Other night spots in Yaletown are primary lounges and bars where you’ll get well-crafted cocktails and the chance to meet new people. Isabelle’s Bar and Lounge is an after-supper club where you can sip on cocktail and enjoy pretty surroundings and people while The Stock Room, found behind Hundy Bar, has a speak-easy vibe for late night drinking. Bartholomew specializes in charcuterie, wine, and cocktails. Meanwhile, Hello Goodbye is an underground destination for intimate drinking. Finally, Pierre’s Champagne Lounge is an exclusive lounge, known for their lavish drinking and top DJs.
Chinatown
Photo: The Keefer Bar
Chinatown has been experiencing a nightlife revival, especially for spots that offer great cocktails with interesting interiors. Fortune Sound Club is the primary nightclub in the neighbourhood, with plenty of concerts and events, such as Johnny Goth, Midnight Mondays, and The Drums with special guest Cold Hart.
Go-to establishments for great cocktails include The Keefer Bar with its Chinese apothecary-themed drinks, the Chickadee Room in Juke where you can have delicious drinks and fried chicken, Laowai for inventive historically-rooted cocktails, and the recently opened Bagheera, a hidden cocktail lounge inspired by the Indian subcontinent.
Other Downtown Spots
Photo: Celebrities
Outside of these three key areas of downtown, there are many other great nightlife places. Celebrities, located on Davie Street, has gone through multiple incarnations but now is one of the most popular clubs with all sorts of fun themed nights, such as Kpop Thursdays, numerous Pride events, and Playhouse Saturdays with live performances and special DJs.
The Paradox Hotel features two key venues in Vancouver: Mansion Night club, a 9,000 square foot club for splashy dancing and partying; and Karma Lounge, for elegant drinking of cocktails and wine.
Meanwhile, the Jungle Room in the West End has already developed a reputation for its stellar cocktails, Asian-inspired food, and modern jungle setting.
Mount Pleasant
Photo: The Cascade Room
Outside of downtown, Mount Pleasant, specifically Main Street, is where to go for a night out. The two main venues are Biltmore, best known for their live music events, and the Fox Cabaret, where dancing, live music, and events (e.g., 90s-Now Dance Party) keep the good times going strong.
Main Street also features numerous breweries and bars, making it a bustling neighbourhood on the weekends. Bars include Good Co. for easy drinking, The Narrow Lounge, Sing Sing Beer Bar and Restaurant for craft beer and well executed bites, the newly opened The Watson for elevated cocktails (the same people behind Bartholomew in Yaletown), The Cascade Room, The Boxcar (further north on the way to Chinatown), the Shameful Tiki Room, the unassuming HYDE, Mount Pleasant Vintage & Provisions, and Hero’s Welcome, which has a welcoming neighbourhood pub feel. And breweries in the area encompass Main Street Brewing Co., Brassneck Brewery, and 33 Acres Brewing Company. Main Street is packed with places with personality and friendly people for spending your night.
