When it comes to cool mixes and concoctions, Vancouver’s bars take things to a whole new level. In the hands of some of the best mixology masters, drinks and cocktails become pure art, and draw in scores of admirers and liquor enthusiasts.
So, if you’re in the mood to get boozy and party, make some noise with friends, or just enjoy a delicious drink on a romantic date, we’ve got the best Cocktail Bars and Lounges in the city all listed out and ready for you to discover.
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10. La Mezcaleria
Super hip, cool, and buzzing with the best vibes, La Mezcaleria makes it to our list again. (They’re on our Best Taco Spots list too.) This is one popular spot, and not just for their amazing food, but also their drinks, and yes the cocktails are heavenly!
Start with a tequila flight, because why not? You know you want to, or you wouldn’t be at a Mexican bar. If not that, try their Mezcal Negroni, or go classic with a Margarita. If you’re hungry, you cannot (and should not) miss the fondue. Just trust us and go for it. The salsa is fab, the share plates are perfect, and naturally… Tacos!
What to order: tequila flight, Mezcal Negroni, Margarita, fondue, salsa, Tacos
Address: 1622 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3Y4
Order Online: DoorDash | Uber Eats | SkipTheDishes
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9. UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar
In the world of cocktail bars and entertainment spots, UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar stands out with its fancy flights, delicious charcuterie, and small plates, and award-winning cocktails. The ambiance is modern and fun, and makes it perfect for a girls night out, a romantic date, or just time out with friends.
Opt for a flight and have a blast, or go for one of their seasonal cocktails. They have a fantastic wine list too, if that’s what you prefer, so check with your server. For food, you gotta try the pork and beef meatballs, or the Roman-style pizza.
What to order: flight, cocktails, wines, pork and beef meatballs, Roman-style pizza
Address: 900 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3L9
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8. L’abattoir
With their industrial-chic ambiance, French flair, craft-cocktails, and culinary delights, L’abattoir is the sort of place that will keep you seated for hours and soaking up its beauty. It’s classy, cool, and with a comfy vibe that makes it a must-visit spot in Gastown.
They have seasonal and vintage cocktails, along with an extensive drinks menu to suit alcohol and non-alcohol drinkers alike. The Mezcal Spritz is delish, and you’ll want to try the Avocado Gimlet. Order up some Baked Pacific Oysters, and the Butter Poached Scallops are to die for. Don’t miss out on their mains, and of course, dessert!
What to order: Mezcal Spritz, Avocado Gimlet, Baked Pacific Oysters, Butter Poached Scallops
Address: 217 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J2
Order Online: Uber Eats
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7. Straight & Marrow
For a cozy and intimate atmosphere, some of the most awesome share plates, and artistic cocktails, go Straight & Marrow. This is a spot where recipes have been mastered, and creativity is the name of the game. So, head on over, and enjoy every moment of your experience.
Every cocktail here is unique and yummilicious, and we love their Inverse Boilermaker (bourbon,) and also the Rain Shower Sour with 5 spiced infused brandy, sweet vermouth & unsweetened cranberry. Don’t miss out on grabbing a bite of the Pork Belly, or some Octopus Carpaccio.
What to order: Inverse Boilermaker, Rain Shower Sour, Pork Belly, Octopus Carpaccio
Address: 1869 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V5L 1H8
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6. Chickadee
From the masterminds behind Juke Fried Chicken and Beetbox, Chickadee swung open its doors in 2020 and hit the ground running! From their cool vibes, imaginative cocktails, and amazing service, this spot keeps climbing in popularity and is a must-visit for anyone who takes their drinks seriously.
At Chickadee you can build-your-own cocktail, or go for one of their brilliantly named ones. The Super Amaro Bros is awesome, and you’ll want to reminisce with a Cobra Kai, or dare with some Risky Business. To soak up the booze, chow down on Spicy Wings, fries, salads, and even Belgians Waffles.
Tip: Their ‘secret menu’ is worth checking out.
What to order: Super Amaro Bros, Cobra Kai, Risky Business, Spicy Wings, Belgians Waffles
Address: 182 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1X4
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5. Pidgin
Owned and run by a super-talented trio, Pidgin is one of those gems truly worth stumbling upon in Vancouver. With their focus on innovative cocktails, Asian & French fusion cuisine, and a casually stylish atmosphere, they’re a spot suited for every occasion, and especially those special date nights.
And if you fancy sake (or are curious about), Pidgin is the spot for you. After seeing the lack of quality love for sake in Vancouver, Pigin has made it part of their mission to help introduce the Japanese alcohol to more people via flights, options, and education.
Overall you’ll do just fine by sampling a classy flight, or go for one of their yummy craft cocktails. The k-pop is the bomb, and we wouldn’t say no to the stirred zombie either. Share some divine plates while you’re at it. We recommend the beef tartar wasabi, the sake kasu sabelfish, and definitely the pork belly rice bowl.
What to order: sake, k-pop, stirred zombie, beef tartar wasabi, sake kasu sabelfish, pork belly rice bowl
Address: 350 Carrall Street Vancouver, BC V6B 2J3
Order Online: DoorDash | Uber Eats | SkipTheDishes
Website | Instagram | Facebook
4. Shameful Tiki Room
If you like your bars funky, fun, and quirky, the Shameful Tiki Room is for you! This must-visit Vancouver spot in Mount Pleasant boasts an awesome tropical vibe, a super-fun atmosphere, cool tunes, and also serves up some amazing cocktails with a dash of crazy, and a barrel of laughs.
We give you fair warning, their drinks can be dangerously boozy, so one cocktail might be enough unless you’re a daredevil. Have a Painkiller, or a Zombie, it doesn’t matter, because you’ll love whatever you order. Get some chips & salsa to soak it all up, or one of their yummy share plates, or even a curry, which is delish.
What to order: Painkiller, Zombie, chips & salsa, curry
Address: 4362 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P9
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3. The Diamond
This gorgeous gem boasts an unmatched old-world charm, and old-school glamor that would put anyone in the mood to just relax and drink! So, go there, and soon, because The Diamond is also renowned for its amazing cocktails, making it one heck of an awesome spot to stop for those late night drinks.
Beefeater, bittersweet vermouth, and orange bitters is what’s in The Vancouver, so get that first and toast with the city’s namesake. Try the Penicillin too, which is a mean mix of JW Black, laphroaig ginger, honey & lemon. For eats, there’s cured meats and cheeses (including vegan options,) and an array of delicious and filling snacks.
What to order: The Vancouver, Penicillin, cured meats, cheeses
Address: 6 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1E9
Order Online: DoorDash
Website | Instagram | Facebook
2. Botanist
Step through a luxurious indoor garden, complete with huge columns and lush foliage, and enter into swanky and classy Botanist. There you’ll find a contemporary cocktail bar that can make all your favourites and introduce you to some inventive drinks that will WOW you. This spot made it to our Vancouver Food Bucket List too and for good reason!
If you’re looking for a drink that will leave an impression, go for the Deep Cove. It is a MASSIVE cocktail that is made with wavy cucumber ribbons, island gin, sea buckthorn liqueur and blue algae syrup in its contents, and served on a chunk of wood. I guarantee you you’ll be reaching out for your phone in wide-eyed enthusiasm when you see it being put infront of you,
Or, try their Rye ‘N Reynolds with cognac, amaro, cascara and nectarine oils. For food, dig into the Lamb Rack & Lamb Shank Duo, or if you like seafood, the Charred Ora King Salmon cannot be missed!
What to order: Deep Cove, Rye ‘N Reynolds, Lamb Rack & Lamb Shank Duo, Charred Ora King Salmon
Address: 1038 Canada Place, Vancouver B.C. Canada V6C 0B9
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1. Keefer Bar
A hidden gem in Vancouver’s Chinatown, Keefer Bar is an award-winning cocktail bar (#2 in Canada’s 50 Best Bars) and a vibing dimly lit medical themed spot with an extensive drink menu of “remedies” and “cures”, that are inspired by traditional Chinese medicine.
Their Alumni Cocktails are the bomb, and you’ll want to go for a Rosemary Gimlet if Beefeater is your jam, a Chinatown Sour with bourbon, or the Tokyo Drift with Suntory Toki Japanese Whisky, Ambre Vermouth, kumquat gomme, and “tobacco” bitters. If you’re hungry, there are bar snacks, Dim Sum, and yummy small plates to share.
P.S. Head next door to the yard for some mini-golf while you’re at it!
What to order: Alumni Cocktails, Rosemary Gimlet, Chinatown Sour, Tokyo Drift
Address: 135 Keefer Street, Vancouver Chinatown
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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.
For your next foray into entertainment, why not visit a cool spot like Granville Island or one of Vancouver’s exciting neighbourhoods for a day of fun and adventure, great food, and relaxation?
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.