A retro cocktail lounge overlooking English Bay is closing at the end of October, after 47 years in Vancouver’s West End.
Bayside Lounge shared the sad news on Instagram on October 7.
“After 47 years, it’s with heavy hearts that we have to share that Bayside Lounge will close its doors at the end of the month,” the post reads.
“It honestly doesn’t feel real.”
The lounge is upstairs at 1755 Davie Street, above the corner of Denman and Davie, in the Sands Hotel building.
Until then, it’s open from noon to 2am Sunday to Thursday, and until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The post doesn’t say why it’s closing, but locals in the comment section are pointing to it being because of the increase in the lease.
Some commenters even are calling for locals to boycott the sushi spot next door for allegedly outbidding Bayside for the space.
Bayside first opened in the same space in 1979, according to the West End Journal, which named Ted Prystay as the founding owner.
The lounge still leans into its 1970s look, with a sunken circular bar and windows that look straight out over English Bay.
The West End Journal also reported that back in the day, every table had its own telephone so guests could call other tables.
These days, DJs play every night from 10pm, and the kitchen sends out West Coast shareables like spicy crispy calamari ($19.50), prime rib sliders and a Filipino-style tuna kinilaw.
That’s a lot of English Bay sunsets for one second-floor bar.
In the post, the team thanked its “regulars, neighbours, visitors, DJs and every team member who has been part of Bayside over the years.”
“Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing memories, celebrating our people and welcoming you back to enjoy Bayside together,” the team wrote.
The lounge’s website says sunset tables have limited availability and recommends booking for weekends, so reserve ahead if you want one last drink with the view.
Bayside Lounge joins other recent Vancouver closures like Dong Tai Xiang on Cambie Street, Megabite on Granville Street and Wildlight Kitchen + Bar at UBC.
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Address: 1755 Davie Street (upstairs), Vancouver, BC
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