We thought we’d seen it all with Vancouver’s booming cafe scene, but this one might actually take the cake (and climb the wall while doing it).
Progression just opened inside a massive 18,000 sq. ft. facility that’s somehow hidden inside the same building as Nesters Market on Broadway.
And it’s not just a café.
It’s a bouldering gym, physiotherapy clinic, retail shop, and chill cafe lounge all mashed together into one.
I know that is hard to imagine (was for us), so that is why we went to check it out.
Progression Bouldering officially launched in March 2025, and the space is split right down the middle.
One half is a full-blown climbing gym (with more wall surface than any other facility in Vancouver), and the other half is where you’ll find the cafe, physio clinic, and gear shop.
Walking into Progression feels like stumbling into a secret level of a video game as you have to go through a flight of fire-exit-y looking stairs to get to the destination.
In the gym you’ll find climbers scale textured grey walls with pops of neon grips while groups warm up in the training zone.
Meawhile the rest of the space (the cafe/retail/clinic side) has soft lighting, wood finishes, and minimalist seating that create a calm oasis.
The cafe side is open to the public, meaning you don’t need to be a climber to grab a bite or hang out.
They brew Modus coffee, blend up protein smoothies, and have a snack-forward menu with juice, small plates, and their fan-favourite poke bowls.
The in-house clinic is fully stacked too, with seven different practitioners offering services from physiotherapy and massage to clinical pilates, nutrition, sports medicine, and strength training for climbers.
It’s basically a wellness hub disguised as a hangout spot.
For those looking to get into bouldering (or level up), Progression runs skill-based climbing courses in three tiers.
So whether you’re a total newbie or you’ve already got the grip strength of a bear, there’s a class for you.
To access the bouldering gym, they have a range of options like day passes, memberships, and punch cards.
And ofcourse, there are monthly events and meet ups that keep things social and exciting.
From the outside, you’d never guess this was all hidden in Mount Pleasant.
But inside the building, it’s an impressively polished and purpose-built facility with a warm, community-driven energy.
Let us know if you plan to climb, chill, or both!
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Address: 275 East 10th Ave. Vancouver BC