During the joyous hours where food and drink can be had for less, indulging in an early dinner (or at least pre-dinner drinks) doesn’t mean you have to shell out big bucks. In Vancouver, the Happy Hour deals are plentiful. I’ve rounded up some of my favourites for when you can get out a little bit earlier. [Image courtesy of Medina Cafe]
Always a local favourite, Joe Fortes is my go to when it comes to meeting up with the girls or a weekend date with my honey. With buck-a-shuck oysters, $5 pints of Molsons, $5 red and white house wine and single cocktails, one can’t go wrong. Top that with half-price appies such as the tempura prawns, lobster rolls, beef carpaccio and sliders and you definitely don’t need dinner. Happy Hour runs from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the bar only.
If cheese toast is your thing, you know Hy’s Steakhouse and Cocktail Bar on Hornby! During their Happy Hour, the toast oozes out of the oven for only $5. Jumbo prawn cocktail, sautéed garlic shrimp and a Caesar salad can be had for the same price. Meat lovers rejoice as prime beef or smoked bacon sliders are only $4. Sip classic cocktails at 50 per cent off, or beer and wine for $5. Be sure to check out their newly renovated upstairs with its vast bar area. Enjoy Happy Hour pricing Monday to Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.
Down at Gotham’s they call it a social hour, but you’ll leave both socialized and happy. Imbibe on handcrafted classic cocktails such as the Manhattan, French 75, Bourbon Sour or The Graduate for $8, well highballs for $5.25, local beer for $5 and all champagne and sparkling wine at 40 per cent off. You know what goes with champagne? Oysters of course! And at $1.75 apiece, you can afford to slurp back a few. The menu also features portobello mushroom fries for $6.50, prime beef sliders for $4.50, and cheese toast for $5.
It’s all about the epic drinks at Café Medina during the slightly earlier “Golden Hour” from 2:00 to 3:00 pm on Monday to Friday when all of bar manager Trixie Blümel's “enlightened” libations are available for just $7. Try her signature Samanyolu cocktail, an intoxicating blend of gin, Fernet Branca, strawberries, juniper and black tea syrup, fresh lime juice, egg white and preserved olive dust. Prefer something simple? Local draught beer is only $5. If you are a bit peckish, Moroccan olive tapenade, baba ganoush and blistered wood stone flatbread could all be ordered for just $12 all in.
Happy Hour strikes at Boulevard from 3:00 to 6:00 pm daily. The swank oyster bar and restaurant serves up $6 wines by the glass, $5 beer by the bottle and $6 Stanley Park beer flights. For something a little special, order a round of $5 Moscow Mules or a Rosemary & Cranberry Collins from bar manager Justin Taylor. Buck-a-shuck oysters fly and small plates including octopus ceviche, crispy chicken wings and house-smoked salmon pâté range from $5 to $10. Expect great people watching and superb food in this slick room.
Gastown favourite L’Abattoir has daily happy hour specials featuring a selection of $5 beers, glasses of red and white wines for $6, varying half-price appetizers and share plates, and artisanal cocktails crafted by bar manager Thor Paulson for only $7. Get there right at opening as these wildly popular deals are for bar diners only on a first come, first served basis from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.
Down at Granville Island, Dockside hosts happy hour from 3:00 to 5:00 pm daily. Appies are reduced by about a third and you’ll find many different wines by the glass – and these vinos are much better quality than most Happy Hour house wines served around town. Their house-brewed draught beer is just $3.95 a pint and pairs well with the veggie spring rolls, chili squid or classic pizzas.
Tacofino Gastown offers its Happy Hour menu from 3:00 to 6:00 pm from Monday to Friday and features specials on classic cocktails – such as the Brazilian-inspired caipirinha – and a daily featured cocktail for just $7 courtesy of bar manager Julia Diakow. No-fuss drinkers can order up $5 rotating beers on tap and glasses of red and white wine. When it comes to food, you’ll find daily specials on tacos and Mexican style share plates so bring a crowd and order up.
Down on Main Street, The Cascade Room offers Happy Hour specials from Sunday to Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Get a great bang for your buck with select 2 oz. cocktails at $6, 5 oz. house red or white wine, and bubbly Prosecco for a mere $4 a glass. Beer drinkers can sip on Main Street Pilsner or Session IPA for just $5. The food menu boasts a solid selection of upscale pub grub; polenta fries, scotch egg and fried Brussels sprouts are delicious house faves.