HI Going to be in vancouver in June with my parents, if we could combine a meal with some live music perhaps a vocalist doing some bubble covers, Sinatra etc; or mabe a lounge .Wev'e looked at the Baccas but that's just backgrond piano. basically we are looking for some live entertainment with small dance floor where we can have a dance and a bit of fun. Iv'e been looking on the net for days and can't find anything. We are from the uk ,when on holiday in Florida we came upon the Chesterfield hotel Palm beach which had a lounge (leopard lounge) that was ideal, cocktails, wine, a house band to dance to and a choice of either dining or not it was a really smart place. Thanks We would apprieciate any comments as we are struggling for local knowledge Tourist info is not very good. Manny thanks.

Thank you for choosing our beautiful city as your next vacation destination. There are a number of places to go for dining out and doing a little dancing....Baci at 3728 E Hastings, Burnaby 604-299-7047..Rossini's Restaurant..1525 Yew St., vancouver, near Vancouver Downtown...no dancing...but great place for nitely jazz....every sat from 3:00 to 6:00 PM..the place is packed ...they have jaming sessions...rock..jazz etc...food is very good and very inexpensive...must visit! Hope you guys have a great trip and enjoy yourselves! Take Care!

Thanks Vancouvergabe,we are looking forward to seeing vancouver we are actually on a trip spending 5days banff/ Jasper, Skeena train 2days ending at Prince Rupert for 2days Fly to Vancouver for 2Days and then Cruise Alaska for one week ,back to Vancouver and Fly home. I will check out the venues you have mentioned. Since posting we have found a place called Listel Hotel which has O'douls jazz bar below would you possible have any thoughts on that.BY the way we will have our parents with us they like Sinatra type laid back stuff, local talent would be great I'm a great believer in those that make fame for themselves just got lucky as well as having had the raw talent needed. Once again Thankyou for taking the time to respond Thats very kind of you and I appriciate it. Thanks Daavid.

Unfortunately Vancouver is sadly lacking in the sort of thing you are looking for. It used to be great but its hard to find now. There is one place that might be close to what you want as far as music goes. It is an Italian restaurant and the owner himself entertains - here is the website http://www.federicossupperclub.com/ Check that out and see if it is what you want. The Hotel Vancouver used to have a wonderful dine and dance at the Roof but they no longer have that. We used to go often and it was the kind of music your parents would have liked. At least on the cruise ship you will be able to have some decent dance music. Whatever you do enjoy!!!!!

Thanks Very Much for that I will follow your link and check it out. Thanks Again. Daavid

Federico's has some quite lukewarm reviews on dinehere.ca

Thanks Sam I will check that out also , the problem with reviews is sometimes peoples expectations are really high,and the problem Iv'e got, is this place seems to be the only place that fits the bill. Iv'e played music myself at the top level and I just like to hear local people having a go and trying to entertain you, too many top acts get lost not giving the public what they want, and as for jazz constant solo after solo boreing everyone to death, Brilliant as most of them are is not entertainment for some old people that just want a dance and some memories from their Sinatra days.Thanks very much for your reply, I hope the reviews don't put us off too much. Daavid

Daavid

I recommended Federicos for that very reason. I don't think you are looking for the best gourmet food - just a pleasant evening for your parents and really it is the only place I can think of that fits that. There is lots of time for gourmet dining but I know I love to go to a place where we can listen to the music and have a dance once in awhile. That is something that we really miss in Vancouver - but I guess catering to they younger crowd makes more money. At least once you are on the ship your parents will find some great dancing music. What cruise line are you sailing with? Holland America is excellent for catering to "the Mature Crowd" which is why I have over 300 days with them!!

Thanks Traveller69 we are going with Celebrity,We cruised Norway with them last year, IT was our first cruise we usually are independant travelers, but it was advertised cheap on a site called travelzoo, My partner always wanted to see the fijords and they did not disapoint, I must admit the experience with celebrity was just excellent,The crowd varied from some30+ some 40+ and 50 upwards made up the rest, hardly any children which was fantastic, and before anybody gets on their high horse, we've all had kids but it's nice to get away from them now and again, Especially these days when parents just seem to let their off spring run riot ,usually in someone elses direction and miles from there own folks. Mabe we'll try Holland America in the future. Thanks Again Daavid

Daavid - I have cruised Celebrity several times and have always really enjoyed them. They are actually my second favourite cruise line but we usually choose the itinerary first and then the line. Holland America, Celebrity and Princess are the ones we prefer. I agree with the kid comment. We never travel during school vacation and take the longer cruises as well. There are lots of cruise lines that cater to young families and that is great but not for us at this stage. I hope you have a wonderful cruise and that your parents get lots of dancing to the oldies!

I just happened to pop onto the Canada Forum and saw this thread and read that the Hotel Vanvouver no longer has their rooftop dining and dancing. What a shame. I have beautiful memories as being in Northern California we often took road trips to your beautiful Vancouver over the years and always made a point of spending one evening enjoying dinner and dancing at the Hotel Vancouver.

LoveItaly - I know it used to be such a delightful place. This dates me but it was Dal Richards and his wife Loraine McAlister who entertained there and they actually played for our high school graduation (not at the roof). We always went to the roof for special occasions anniversaries, birthdays etc. It was so nice to have the big band entertainment and be able to get dressed up. In later years we used to spend a few days over new years at the hotel and attend the ball on NY eve. Of course Dal Richards was still playing but unfortunately his wife passed away quite few years ago. Dal is still around and plays at various events which is amazing. Here is his website http://www.dalrichards.com/ to read just for fun. I get a kick out of the fact that he wants to play for the 2010 Olympics - and I bet he does.

Hello traveller, interesting website, thank you. I don't remember who the band was or were but evidently it was Dal back in the 60's when we first started travelling to your beautiful Vancouver. We had friends there also, the son, daughter-in-law and children of my late husband's godparents.

A friend and I were talking about driving to Vancouver last year as she had never been there and I so looked forward to the trip as it had been too long since I had visited. But my friend got quite ill so the trip was cancelled and this year she is on overload with work so it probably won't work out either. I am always amazed traveller regarding the people in California who have never visited British Columbia. They do not know what they are missing.

By the way, we had a well loved band leader who had a popular band that was raised in the small town I attended in highschool. He always played for our major school dances and the graduation parties (he graduated from the same high school). We were very fortunate and the envy of friends that attended different highschools. Beautiful memories!

LoveItaly

Where do you live in Northern California? As a teenager my parents used to take us to California every summer camping in the beautiful redwoods. Since then I have made sure my husband has seen every little town we used to visit and my daughter married in San Francisco to a delightful man from Piedmont. They are in Texas now. I have so many memories of my summer trips (my girlfriend came with us so we had a few summer romances with some of the forestry students working in the state parks). We winter in S. Arizona now but spent 8 winters in S. Cal but we still go down through California on the way. We miss it!!

Hello traveller, I now live in Vacaville which is along I-80, an hour southwest of Sacramento. Vacaville is in the very southern end of the Sacramento Valley.

The next time you come to the US, I assume you come by car versus by air, please let me know. I would love to welcome and treat you two to a meal in one of our restaurants in downtown "old" Vacaville.

If that is possible please post on the Fodor's Lounge Forum so I will be sure to see your thread. Best regards.