Whether you’re up for a lively night out, a get-together with friends, or a romantic date, these bars are prime picks for exceptional drinks crafted by mixology experts.
For an artistic mixology experience, Keefer Bar in Chinatown offers an apothecary vibe, while Botanist Bar dazzles with its luxurious indoor garden.
Explore our list to uncover the city’s finest cocktail bars and lounges!
1. Keefer Bar
Ranked #8 in Canada’s 50 Best Bars 2023, Keefer Bar in Vancouver’s Chinatown offers an apothecary-themed ambiance with Asian heritage-inspired decor. Must-tries include the Rosemary Gimlet, a fusion of Beefeater Gin, peach, and raspberry, and the Tokyo Drift, a twist on Old Fashioned with cherry and smoky chocolate notes.
Their Happy Hour (4-6 PM, Sun-Fri) offers 50% off Bar Snacks & Dim Sum, perfect for pairing with their creative cocktails.
What to order: Rosemary Gimlet, Chinatown Sour, Tokyo Drift, Dim Sum, Steamed BBQ Pork Buns
Address: 135 Keefer Street, Vancouver Chinatown
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2. Botanist
The Botanist, nestled in Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel, showcases a luxurious indoor garden and narrative-driven cocktails using local ingredients.
The Council of Trees Cocktail, with its forest-inspired flavours of blended Scotch, oak moss, and Canadian alderwood, is a standout.
Try the “Poetry in Motion” Cocktail for a bold, spicy, and tangy experience, balanced with elderflower and grapes. Their Braised Lamb Shank and Mulled Wine Ice Cream are culinary highlights.
What to order: Council of Trees, Poetry in Motion, Lamb Shank, Mulled Wine Ice Cream
Address: 1038 Canada Place, Vancouver B.C. Canada V6C 0B9
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3. Bartholomew Bar
Yaletown’s Bartholomew offers a chic cocktail experience with a compact, clever layout. Enjoy creative aperitifs like the Old Fashioned or Negroni Tour, each named after a city. The B.C, with Sheringham Seaside gin and Esquimalt Bianco vermouth, is a must-try.
Also, don’t miss The Great Wave, a Roku gin-based cocktail with umeshu plum wine. Happy Hour (5-6 PM daily) features five drinks for $11.
What to order: B.C Old Fashioned, The Great Waves, The Butcher’s Board.
Address: 1026 Mainland St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2T4
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4. Shameful Tiki Room
For a tropical vibe and a fun time, visit Shameful Tiki Room in Mount Pleasant. Try their creamy Painkiller cocktail and pair it with Tortilla Chips & Pineapple Salsa. The Red Curry, with tender baby corn, bamboo shoots, and naan bread, is a filling and tasty choice.
Be cautious with their strong drinks, and enjoy the tropical atmosphere.
What to order: Painkiller, Tortilla Chips & Pineapple Salsa, Red Curry
Address: 4362 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P9
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5. Pidgin
Pidgin, an award-winning bar run by a skilled trio, offers a relaxed setting for classic cocktails and Asian fusion cuisine.
For an exciting date night, try a sake-tasting flight or the fruity brandy-based Kick Back cocktail. The Foie Gras Rice Bowl and Fall Risotto are food highlights, offering a unique blend of flavours and textures.
What to order: Sake, Kick Back, Foie Gras Rice Bowl, Fall Risotto.
Address: 350 Carrall Street Vancouver, BC V6B 2J3
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6. Chickadee
The Chickadee Room in Chinatown, known for its diverse modern and classic cocktails and late-night fried chicken, has been a hit since 2020.
The 80s-inspired decor, featuring neon pink and Miami Vice-style palm trees, creates a vibrant atmosphere. Daily specials and monthly featured cocktails, like Isla Bonita or Peaches & Herb, keep things fresh. Juke Fried Chickens’ wings, especially in Hot House-Made Sauce and Sweet-Spicy Sauce, are crispy and delicious.
Happy Hour (4-6 PM, Fri-Sat) offers two pieces of fried chicken, making it a perfect time to visit for both drinks and food.
What to order: Monthly Features, Juke Fried Chickens.
Address: 182 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1X4
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7. Straight & Marrow
Straight & Marrow, in the former Bistro Wagon Rouge space, is a cozy 12-seat bar with a unique copper and wood interior. Led by Chris Lam, it celebrates Asian heritage through unique meat cuts and inventive cocktails.
The Straight & Marrow Cocktail, a house specialty, blends marrow, beef stock, brandy, Benedictine, and Black Pepper Cardamom Bitters for a spiced experience. The Bone Marrow with Pickled Shiitake and Octopus Carpaccio are culinary delights, rich in flavour and perfect with a Brandy Luge add-on.
Address: 1869 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V5L 1H8
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8. L’abattoir
L’abattoir in Gastown, recommended by Michelin, features a classy, industrial ambiance. From upstairs, observe the crafting of vintage cocktails and Low-No recipes in the bustling space below.
Their concise seasonal cocktail list mostly favours the boozy side, with Meat Hook, a bold mix of rye and Scotch, being a highlight. Mezcal Spirits are another excellent option.
The Baked Pacific Oysters, a popular dish, comes with an intense Burgundy truffle touch, making it a must-try. L’abattoir offers a sophisticated and memorable dining experience.
What to order: Meat Hook, Mezcal Spirits, Baked Pacific Oysters
Address: 217 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J2
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9. UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar
In downtown Vancouver’s heart, UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar creates a cozy, romantic setting ideal for dates or friendly gatherings.
Expert bartenders craft award-winning cocktails like the Pink Sour, a delightful mix of Stolichnaya, Amaro Montenegro, cranberry juice, and Thai strawberry. The Howling Wolf, with a clean finish and subtle black pepper notes, is another specialty. Pair these with their Cibo Meatballs for a savoury treat.
Happy Hour (2-5 PM daily, 9 PM-close Sun & Thu) offers excellent deals, perfect for enjoying their meticulously prepared cocktails.
What to order: Pink Sour, Howling Wolf, Cibo Meatballs.
Address: 900 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3L9
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10. La Mezcaleria
La Mezcaleria, a cozy Mexican cantina since 2013, is renowned for its agave spirits and skillfully crafted cocktails. Emphasizing local and organic ingredients, the bar offers seasonal recipes.
Their Margarita Flight, with hibiscus, lime, tamarind, and spicy pineapple shots, is a warming yet not overly sweet treat. The Carne Asada Taco, with grilled rib eye steak and melted cheese, is a highlight. For cheese lovers, the Queso Fundido Con Champiñones is a must.
Happy Hour (3-5 PM daily) enhances the experience with delightful offers.
What to order: Margarita Flight, Carne Asada Taco, Queso Fundido Con Champiñones.
Address: 1622 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3Y4
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Curating a list of ten Cocktail Bars from the dazzling array of these gems in the city, took some work. So, we hope you hit them all up as soon as you can, and enjoy every experience to the fullest.
Looking for more food spots? Well, take a look at our picks of the best restaurants in Vancouver!
How We Create Our “Best” Lists
All Noms Magazine’s “best” lists are created using multiple factors and signals to help readers find the best restaurants, things to do, and places to stay at. Some of these factors and signs include personal experiences, correspondence with locals, and compiling experiences from review sites.
Each list is also created to be balanced (in terms of price, cuisine type, ambiance, and more) as possible. This means that the lists are not specifically created in ranking order. You should be comfortable picking from any of the spots on the list and generally have a good time. But of course, YMMV (your mileage may vary) and everyone may have different experiences/palates.