If you spent any time in Kits, you probably had a night that ended at The Ellis.
Maybe it was a patio drink with the sun dropping behind the trees, or one of those dinners where you swore the chicken burger could not get any better.
Now we are preparing to say goodbye.
After eight years, The Ellis has announced that its last evening of service will take place on December 6, and it hits harder than expected for a spot that felt stitched into the neighbourhood.
The team shared a short but emotional message on Instagram, saying they loved every minute of running the pub and thanking the community for the support.
They added that they will miss everyone, and you can feel the sincerity even through a screen.
Closures in Vancouver never feel simple, but this one stings because The Ellis managed to be many things at once.
It was a relaxed place for a weekday drink, a go-to for a quick burger, and a surprisingly great choice for dessert.
Many talk about their molten chocolate lava cake with the kind of devotion usually reserved for special-occasion dining, which says everything about how The Ellis treated even the simplest dishes.
You also hear the same thing again and again from regulars.
The service was warm, the food was always steady, and the room had an easy atmosphere that made you want to stay longer than planned.
Part of what made The Ellis work was its mix of elevated pub fare and a neighbourhood vibe.
It felt familiar, yet cared for, which is not something many pubs pull off.
That is why this farewell kind of hurts; we are losing a place that felt like Kitsilano.
The good news is that there is still one last night to stop in.
On December 6, the team is inviting everyone back for a proper send-off, with twenty-five percent off drinks and food.
If The Ellis was ever part of your routine, this is the moment to go back, raise a glass, and say thank you.
And as the staff wrote in their goodbye, they will miss the heck out of all of us.
The Ellis closure joins a growing list of beloved Vancouver pubs and restaurants that have quietly faded this year, including T+ Patisserie and Bar Haifa.
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Address: 2204 York Avenue, Vancouver, BC