A Midweek Night Out for Just for Laughs Vancouver

Photo: JFL Vancouver

Prepare for the Just For Laughs (JFL) Vancouver comedy festival when it returns from February 15 to 24. To get you through those winter January blues, plan some unforgettable activities around your chosen comedy shows to enhance your JFL experience. There are some fantastic weekday offers across the city to help maximize your entertainment value.

Aquabus, Photo: Rick Chung/YVArcade

Visit Granville Island

Before heading downtown for a show in February, make a day of it by visiting the world-famous Granville Island for its many walkable entertainment options, including the Public Market, a selection of restaurants (try Alimentaria Mexicana, The Sandbar, Tap & Barrel Bridges, Vancouver Fish Company, or Dockside Restaurant), artisanal shops to browse, and gorgeous views overlooking False Creek for a nice walk or a ride on the Aquabus.

Granville Street, Photo: Rick Chung/YVArcade

Walk the Granville Strip

With many of JFL’s events hosted at the Vogue Theatre and The Pearl located in the heart of the Granville Entertainment District or at the nearby Orpheum Theatre and Queen Elizabeth Theatre, hitting up one of the many bars and restaurants on Granville Street makes it extra convenient for a night out meeting up with friends before a show.

Fun options for groups include GoodCo Bar, The Living Room at Hotel Belmont, Cinema Public House, Granville Room, The Yale Saloon, or playing some indoor mini-golf at Par-Tee Putt.

Vinyl Records, Photo: Rick Chung/YVArcade

Tour Historic Gastown

For those going to China Cloud, The Portside Pub, The Red Room, or Rogers Arena, strolling Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood of Gastown for some shopping, drinks, or dinner is a fine way to begin a full evening of entertainment.

To start, browse some vintage LPs at Vinyl Records, grab a snack at the new Lee’s Donuts location, share a plate of nachos at Tacofino Taco Bar, enjoy some authentic Italian food at Di Beppe, or drink many beers at the Alibi Room. You can’t go wrong with so many cool shops and stops surrounding each other.

Brewhall, Photo: Rick Chung/YVArcade

Happy Hours

There are also some great midweek happy hour specials, especially on Tuesdays, on food and drinks at restaurants and bars all over Vancouver to enjoy before or after any show.

The American: All-day happy hour on Mondays
Craft Beer Market: Burger, beer, and bubbles ($6 each) on Tuesdays
GoodCo Bar: Daily specials, including core taps ($4) on Tuesdays
Tacofino: Daily specials, including $5 off nachos on Tuesdays
Tap & Barrel: ½-price wine (750mL) on Tuesdays

Bar Corso: Specials from $6
Belgard Kitchen: Beer ($5) and wine ($11) specials
Boulevard Kitchen: Beer ($7) and wine ($8) specials
Brewhall: Beers starting from $4
Cactus Club Cafe: Specials starting from $5
Cómo Taperia: Bottled wine 35% off
Havana: Specials starting from $4
Joe Fortes: Drink specials ($6-8)
Joey Restaurants: Specials starting from $5
La Taqueria: Beer ($6) and margarita ($8) specials
H Tasting Lounge: Specials starting from $6
Nightingale: Beer ($5.50) and wine ($10) specials
Poorhouse: Specials starting from $5
Social: Beer ($7) and wine ($7) specials
The Cascade Room: Specials starting from $6
The Flying Pig: Beer ($5.75) and wine ($6.50) specials
The Keg: Specials starting from $6
UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar: Beer ($7) and wine ($8) specials
VV Tapas Lounge: Beer ($5) and wine ($7) specials

Photo: JFL Vancouver

Activities & Attractions

During JFL Vancouver, take the opportunity to experience the huge variety of attractions and activities throughout the city before catching a comedy show.

Go on a guided walking tour by Forbidden Vancouver and learn about the city’s secret history.
Hit up a brewery or two or three in the craft beer-rich districts of Brewery Creek or Yeast Van.
Drop by the Vancouver Art Gallery for Emily Carr’s latest exhibition, A Room of Her Own.
Learn about our local history at the Museum of Vancouver.
Check out Science World‘s newest exhibition about the future, Dream Tomorrow Today.
Head up to Mount Seymour to ski or snowboard on Rideshare Thursdays
Take a long scenic walk along the Seawall or to Stanley Park.