With an addiction to all things internet and a passion for live music, you'll find Grace wherever both the Wi-Fi and the coffee are strong. Her ideal day in Vancouver includes taking in foreign horror films on Netflix, searching for the perfect gin cocktail in Gastown, and nodding along at underground concerts 'till the wee hours. When she isn't hanging out with her Bengal cat Basil, she's promoting shows for Timbre Concerts.
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Much in the same way that movie theatres and the scent of buttery popcorn can never be separated, hot dogs have a distinctly nostalgic element. These savoury snacks bring up memories of Little League games and beans-and-weinies at home. Thankfully there are more and more places in Vancouver serving the humble hot dog in a variety of grown-up flavours and styles. [Photo © Yellow Pages / Pages Jaunes]
Locals and tourists alike love Gastown, and for good reason. This neighbourhood has the Old World charm of Montreal, and is chock full of independent retailers, bars and restaurants. Enjoying the neighbourhood can come, however, with a hefty price tag. So for those looking for a quick post-work pint, or a steal of a deal while out on pub crawl with friends, check out these Happy Hour specials! [Image courtesy of Six Acres]
It doesn’t take much to throw ghost pepper into a pot and transform a dish from “bland” to “three- alarm fire” hot. However, any true spice lover knows that when a dish is crafted to include spice – whether it’s fish simmered slowly in chili oil or crispy chicken wings lathered in Sriracha – the careful blend of savoury, salty and spicy can be a revelation. These signature spicy dishes in Vancouver are the hottest of the hot.
Your shoes have been permanently wet for weeks, you’ve just lost your iPhone to a puddle, been splashed by a truck while running for the bus, and can’t remember the last time you saw blue sky (was the sky ever blue?). It can be tough to beat the winter blues in Vancouver, but you can find some warmth, an open seat, a welcoming bar and some of the city's best comfort food in Gastown. [Photo courtesy of Six Acres]
We’ve all been there - it’s 5:37 pm, the shops close at 6:00 pm, and you're desperate to make it to a party across town by 7:00 pm. You promised yourself you wouldn’t do this again, yet here you are: the last-minute shopper. Don’t fret! This last-minute gift guide will take you through some of the essential Gastown shops to hit – you're sure to find a gift they love. Best of luck!
With the return of vinyl as the medium of choice for music lovers the world over, it has never been easier to find a copy of the latest must-have single, or your mom’s favourite album from when she was in high school. Shopping for vinyl in Vancouver is analogous in many ways to shopping for books; it’s a task easily completed online, but not without losing the fun of burrowing fingers into stacks and browsing for hours.
Every oyster lover has their own reason for shelling out for these savoury treats: for some they’re a delicacy, a little bit of a self-indulgent treat, for others, they’re an aphrodisiac. My love of oysters comes from a little stand selling them by the shuck (Kumi’s are the best if you didn’t know) and has grown to an ongoing search for the best spots in Vancouver to enjoy these little and addictive ocean pearls.
We’ve all been there; you’re hailing a cab home at 3:00 am when hunger hits. While a couple of fast food staples are always there for late-night revellers (I’m looking at you, McDonalds), Vancouver is home to a plethora of full-service restaurants that are ready to serve you at nearly any hour of the day or night. Save this list in your phone and save yourself from ever returning home hungry again.
Some may tell you that vegetarian and vegan pho is like a unicorn of the Vietnamese cuisine world, but finding an incredible bowl of this elusive soup isn’t nearly so difficult once you know where to look! Even for the die-hard ‘rare beef tripe’ pho lover, this is a definitive list of Vancouver’s best meat-free pho bowls. Dig in!
Vancouver’s performance venue scene has seen a revitalization of late, with the closing of some (RIP The Electric Owl), reimagining of others (hello to Fox Cabaret), and revitalization of more (drag shows in town at the Cobalt – who would have thought?). At a few, one can be sure to catch a live and local show nearly every night of the week. If you’re up for an adventure, give these venues for a spin, and enjoy the show!
There’s a lot to be said about the Great Canadian Caesar – whether you’re praising it for it’s hangover-nixing capabilities, musing on what, exactly, clam nectar is, or debating about the ultimate Caesar liquor (gin, obviously). But I digress. The most important thing I have to say about Caesars is where to find one of good quality at the best price. Pick your poison and try one (or three) of these boozy drinks for yourself.