Life at Night in Vancouver

      So I'm not the type of person who always knows the cool shit that's going on in the city. Just putting that out there. Occasionally I do, and sometimes I hear about stuff through other people. I wish I was hip enough to have lists of events and locations to rattle off whenever somebody would ask, but I'm not, ha. BUT that is why the internet is so great- especially blogs. (see 'why blog?') And who knows? Maybe, in one of my sure to be numerous posts, something on Le Ramasseur will provide inspiration to one of...you!
      So, with that unofficial disclaimer it should be fairly obvious that I don't see myself as The Source of information on Vancouver, or any other place I might write about. That, however, does not mean I don't want to share my thoughts on VanCityNiteLife.
       I've heard/read many people's complaints about the relatively weak state of nightlife here. I mean, having lived in Hong Kong from ages 4-18, I can understand where those feelings come from- and sometimes feel them myself. Drinks are expensive... last call is between 1:30-2:30am, meaning that substantial lines form anywhere between 9pm (Blarney Stone) and 11pm (The Lamplighter)...most clubs have cover charges after 10 or 11pm that don't include any complimentary drinks...Granville st. clubs tend to be full of students and/or obnoxious Ed Hardy-wearing bros....there's no 'culture' of bar/club-hopping here (ie. you tend to stay in one/two places all night...)    It's easy to find the downside to drinking/dancing in this city!

Yet, it can still be really fun. And the further East you go, the less my complaints seem to be relevent. And I'm not that cool either, so maybe you don't really want to listen to me anyway.


Biltmore Cabaret- 12th ave. at Kingsway. Not near other clubs but worth staying at. Hosts concerts most nights and 'NYC style burlesque' on Sundays. Not too large (in a good way). Small dance floor. Hipster crowd with lots of interesting people thrown in. When I've gone the music has been alright with moments of O, YAY! Pretty good gender balance.


Blarney Stone- Powell St. at Carrall St. Is there a student in Vancouver that has shunned the Blarney Stone? Great pub/club fusion. Communual wooden tables makes for new friends. Ok music except for the ubiquitous Irish drinking songs, which I really don't like! Live Irish band probably playing the same songs your parents danced to there. Long-ass line after 9:30 or so.


Honey- West Pender at Abbot St. Is frustratingly inconsistent! Fills up (if it does decide to fill up, that is) after 11pm but no cover/lines before then. Very nice decor but small, especially the bathrooms. Best to go on Fridays, which is Mod (sort of) Night. Much more females than males. Crowd varies. Have had some awesome times here as people go there to dance.

Lamplighter Public House- Water St. at Abbot St.. It seems like every new eating establishment in Vancouver is calling itself a 'public house', which I take to mean pretentious and/or Moxies-style restaurant/bar desirous of seeming hip and unique. Perhaps I am wrong? Either way, I don't think the Lamplighter neccessarily conforms to that description. It may have changed from the dingy Lamplighter Pub to Public House, with swanky new renovations (think mirrors and brick and chandeliers), and it may be packed full by 11pm, but the music and crowd is pretty good.

Lola's Cabaret- Broaday at Vine. Not anywhere near as cool as the name would have you believe. Mostly Top 40s with totally random songs (Nirvana) mixed in. Primarily UBC students who don't want to go far off campus. Pool tables. Small. People who enjoy Lola's really do. Crazy drinking.

Odessey- Just off Davie and Howe. Gay. Sexy (sort of) shower performers Thursday nights. Terrible remixes Mondays but great fun music (read: Lady Gaga, 'Party in the USA'..) Thursdays. Nice patio out back. Good people watching. Great place for hetero guys to pick up on certain weeknights. Lovely staff. Lots of seating off the dance floor.

Roxy- Granville St. I actually quite like this place, despite its reputation. Mixed crowd but can lean towards UBC goers. Soggy red carpets. Intermittent performances by a live band (does RHCP, Lady Gaga..not as cliched as club bands can get). Lots of seating.

Venue- Granville street. Sometimes hosts concerts. Has at least 3 bars, yay. Great lighting. Did not personally like the crowd on Saturday night. Ok music. Expensive cover. Lots of line-skipping by moneyed guys and scantily-clad women. Guest list only before 11pm.


Wow so that took me a lot longer than I had imagined. And I haven't even done 10 venues...