56 Best Bars in Vancouver, British Columbia

If beer is your thing, head to Alibi, which specializes in pairing beer with your meal. Kegs of microbrews from around British Columbia and beyond are the pride and joy here, and it's known for having one of the best selections of craft beers in Vancouver. For those looking for something other than beer, there are also organic wines and a few fun cocktails to enjoy. 

Inside this intimate bar on the eastern edge of Chinatown, you'll find retro '80s vibes, A+ cocktails (you must try the Greyscale with gin, black lime, black sesame, lime juice, and egg white), and affordable eats from the attached Juke Fried Chicken (fried chicken, ribs, sandwiches, cornbread, mac and cheese, etc.). There's a small outdoor space, too.

Since 1980, the award-winning Vancouver TheatreSports troupe has been performing hilarious improv. Catch a show before an enthusiastic crowd Wednesday to Saturday evenings at 7:30 and 9:30, or enjoy some stand up, featuring Canadian and international headliners every other Thursday at 9.

The Keefer Bar has fully capitalized on its Chinatown connection, using ingredients sourced from local herbalists—think ginseng, tea-based tinctures, or astragalus root. Small plates of Asian dishes make good nibbling. The decor is dark and red, with hanging cylindrical neon lights that layer a sultry, hidden vibe over nights of live music and DJs.

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.

One of Vancouver's original microbreweries, R&B serves house-made beers with East Vancouver-inspired names (try the Stolen Bike Lager or Dude Chilling Pale Ale) alongside a delicious brewpub menu (they are well known for their pizzas). Grab a seat in the busy taproom or on the small outdoor patio. And while you nosh on pizza and beer, enjoy the music on the overhead speakers, and take in the baseball knickknacks and cool retro decor. 

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.

Once you hit Bar None, you never really have to leave Yaletown. This longtime favorite is the place to get your groove on after dinner and drinks. Wide wood beams, exposed brick, and trendy lighting give it that Yaletown warehouse history-meets-hip feel. Celebrated Vancouver DJs spin house and electronica on weekend nights, and international stars sometimes take over, too.

Inside this busy industrial-chic space in the heart of Yaletown, you'll find creative craft cocktails, an extensive wine list, and upscale charcuterie boards. The cozy booths and dim lights create a vibe perfect for an intimate date or night out with friends. They also have a daily happy hour from 5 to 6.

Long, lean, and creatively wood-paneled, this is among a fresh crop of Mount Pleasant breweries leading East Vancouver's craft beer resurgence. The brewery operations dictate the layout, and the tasting room’s communal tables attract a dedicated after-work crowd for pints, flights, and growler fills.

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.  

Evoking the vibe of a 1950s British cocktail bar, this busy nightspot attracts a loyal crowd with its signature blends, cocktails on tap (try the boozy slushy), and local microbrews. The upscale pub menu includes favorites like smoked game hen, chickpea burger, and sticky toffee pudding, along with charcuterie and a cheese plate.

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.

The stats at this massive beer hall in the historic Salt Building are impressive. It offers 100 draft beer taps, one of Canada's biggest selections of draft beers, and space for 450 kegs in the keg room (that's up to 26,000 liters or 6,900 gallons). The kitchen does a good job with generous portions of burgers, sandwiches, and other pub standards, while the patio on Olympic Village Square makes for great summertime people-watching.

This sound-system-centric dance club and performance venue keeps the audience guessing with a mix of shows (often with hip-hop leanings). The second-floor space has red oak flooring and manages to incorporate local and eco-friendly elements into the design.

This 25-seater wine bar is contemporary and carefully cultivates an interesting list of organic wines and craft cocktails. It's next to the acclaimed, seasonal, farm-to-table eatery, Farmer’s Apprentice, so the bar nibbles are equally inspired. It gets busy, so go early and enjoy a happy hour cocktail of the day and charcuterie board.

The menu at this Gastown favorite features lagers, pale ales, pilsners, stouts, and ciders, and then there's what's on tap, a wine list, and a cocktail menu—in short, the thirsty have many ways to imbibe. The food menu offers lots of sharing options. In addition to rock bands (plus jazz, folk, and blues artists), there are also burlesque and cabaret 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.

Expect a mixed crowd of local hipsters and out-of-towners enjoying properly poured pints of Guinness, mixed beer drinks (try a shandy, which is lager and lemonade), wine, and live Irish music some nights. The food menu focuses on pub favorites.