Since it seems to be raining in Vancouver 75% of the year, you need to find a safe haven to wet your whistle without actually getting wet yourself. Low and behold: Vancouver’s bar scene. Gastown is hands-down my favorite neighborhood to get a drink at in the city. I’ve put together a list of the best bars in Gastown (in my humble opinion).
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Before (or after) you grab a drink, you may want to dive deeper into the spooky side of Gastown! Do you know some of the dark history behind one of Vancouver’s best neighborhoods? Consider booking a Gastown Ghost Tour.
Table of Contents
Guilt and Co.
If you’re a live music connoisseur, Guilt and Co. is one of the best bars in Gastown – maybe even Vancouver. There is live music every night and the genre constantly changes. One night you can see an 8-piece jazz band and the following night a solo hip hop artist. You typically need to wait squeezed into a tight staircase next to The Local while they shuffle people in and out.
Once you’re in you feel like you’ve entered an underground cave. There’s exposed stone wall, the stage sits front and center, and their long bar is against the back wall. Try and grab a seat or join the dance floor that undoubtedly gets filled as the night continues.
Pro tips: If you want a table be ready to get aggressive. Also, the bathroom is unisex (even though they have a male-labeled door on one side and female-labeled on the other), so don’t be alarmed if you walk into the Ladies Room only to find a bunch of men waiting in line.
The Keefer Bar
Keefer Bar has a very specific vibe about it and you just feel really ~cool~ as soon as you enter. Come early to ensure a good table. The dimly-lit high tops in the corner feel very cozy.
The bar has a quirky Chinese medicinal theme it plays off of well; the bar menu is aptly titled “Remedies and Cures.” Place an order of their delicious dumplings to snack on while appreciating the atmosphere. It’s also been rated as one of the best bars in North America.
Portside Pub
Depending on what time of day you come to Portside Pub, you will have completely different experiences. On a nice afternoon, pop inside and have a pint and some oysters. There’s a mellow and relaxed vibe. However, after 10pm on a weekend, this place transforms into a club. A DJ booth is stationed on the second floor with sweaty millennials dancing the night away.
The Blarney Stone
If you’re in Vancouver for St. Patrick’s Day, you MUST come to the Blarney Stone. But honestly, no matter what day of the year you are here, you can always find epic live music. During the day it is a quaint Irish pub with some great food. By night it transforms as bands hit the stage and a swell of people take over the dance floor.
Alibi Room
If you’re a craft beer fanatic then Alibi Room is your one-stop-shop. The beer list is massive (usually 50+ beers on tap) and they are constantly rotating through different specials. They also do a fantastic job at supporting the local micro and craft breweries. I am also pleasantly surprised at how great the food is here too!
Back and Forth
Back and Forth has the unique concept of combining a fun night out with none other than ping pong! This is a great option whether you want to mix up your usual night out with friends or host a corporate team meeting! You can even host a party here and book out the entire bar.
As you can see, Gastown is home to plenty of amazing (non-chain!) bars, which isn’t surprising because I do think it has the most character of the Vancouver neighborhoods.
If you want a recap of what I honestly think about some of the Vancouver neighborhoods, you can read My Honest Guide to Vancouver Neighborhoods.
Some of my other Vancouver content includes: