13 Best Bars in Downtown, Vancouver

A 14-foot communal table crafted from a redwood plank is the heart of this tasting room and distillery, which produces small-batch gins, vodka, and special liqueurs. The house-made spirits are the basis of excellent cocktails, and though the tasting room has fairly limited hours (Friday for gin and tonics, Thursday and Saturday for cocktails), the family charm makes the experience a worthwhile treat. Plan ahead, as it's closed Monday to Wednesday.

The 360-degree views from this convention center patio take in Stanley Park, the seaplane terminal, and the North Shore Mountains. You can sit inside, amid the wooden casks of wine (in addition to 36 beers on tap, there are more than 20 British Columbia wines on tap), but waiting for a seat on the deck is worth it if the weather even hints at sunshine. There's another location—and similarly large patio—on False Creek, another at North Vancouver's Shipyards district with equally stunning harbor views on a giant patio, and yet another giant patio venue on Granville Island.

Bask in the aura of South Beach with fluorescent colors, chic cabanas, and a dance floor beneath the boughs of an acai tree. Local and international DJs keep the energy high and happening. FYI, dress to impress.  

This 1929 dance hall has been restored to its Art Deco glory, complete with a massive dance floor and state-of-the-art sound system. Indie rock bands and renowned DJs play here most nights.

You'll find quality cocktails blended with house-made bitters, fresh herbs, and other local ingredients at this Vancouver hot spot, which, although it's leather-paneled and clubby, is surprisingly unstuffy. Also in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia are the narrow, mahogany-paneled 1927 Lobby Lounge (ideal for a discreet rendezvous), and Reflections, an open-air (heated in winter) fourth-floor oasis.

There’s a melancholy, lost-in-time feel to this quintessential Granville Street bar. The decor features aged chandeliers, a fireplace, and old-world kitsch. It's the kind of place where rock 'n rollers (old and new) hang out into the early hours. There's a wide selection of beer, comfy seating, and dark corners in which to disappear.

A club for the crowds featuring a sunken dance floor and a mix of styles including reggae, salsa, hip-hop, merengue, and top-40 favorites. 

At street level in the century-old Moda Hotel, Uva puts a modern spin on the Italian wine bar concept, with bold decor and sleek furnishings. The well-dressed crowd comes for the not-too-wild atmosphere, often for a drink before heading to one of nearby Granville Street's performance venues, particularly The Orpheum (across the road).

A former art deco movie palace, the Vogue hosts a variety of concerts by local and visiting performers.

The Wine Room is devoted to nurturing the inner oenophile in all of us by offering wines usually only available by the bottle—this is one of a growing number of bars offering by-the-glass service, thanks to cutting-edge, wine-dispensing technology. It's part of the Joey Bentall One restaurant.

Home to all things country, The Yale attracts a friendly crowd. There's Southern-style family eats from a huge in-house smoker, rockabilly music, and even a mechanical bull. Line dancing lessons and live music gets raucous on some nights.