Vancouver Nightlife: Places and Districts to Go Out in Vancouver

  Vancouver After Dark

As is the case with eating out in the city, Vancouver's nightlife is by no means limited to one neighborhood. Various different scenes extend across the city, all of which merit at least a couple of drinks in the spirit of investigation!

The cocktail bar and chic lounges of Yaletown’s warehouse district are where the city’s glamorous set and fashionable media types hang out. Many of these places, though, have drinks menus that will be a bit on the pricey side for the average backpacker.

The Granville Entertainment district around Granville St (a little to the south of Robson, in Vancouver’s Downtown) is the beating heart of the city’s nightlife. But with its heavy-drinking, rowdy atmosphere, it may not be to everyone’s taste.

There’s a more laidback feel to proceedings out towards Commercial Drive (east of Downtown). And there are even a few places out on Granville Island – the perfect spot for watching the sunset with a drink.

Despite being a little twee, there are a number of attractive watering holes among the fine old buildings of Gastown and, slightly surprisingly, a few hip clubs. After a good meal, there are also plenty of bars to be found in Chinatown, as well as a busy night market on summer weekends.

In keeping with its reputation for tolerance and open-mindedness, Vancouver’s West End is home to the city’s burgeoning gay community in Davie Village. Here, a number of lively gay bars and clubs are dotted among the cafés and restaurants.

Vancouver is one of the best cities for live music in Canada. Jazz features particularly prominently (with a couple of great places on West Broadway), but there are also one or two gig spots on Water St, Abbott St and various other spots across the city.

During the summer, much of the action migrates out to the city’s beaches, both in the bars and cafés that line them, and right on the sand itself. After a day on the beach, a party atmosphere generally emanates out from Cornwall St (back off Kitsilano to the north of the center) and Yew St.

Relaxed, unpretentious and yet unceasingly active, Vancouver is very much the center of nightlife in Canada. And it’s not just Canada – few cities in the whole of North America offer travelers such a rounded selection of entertainment after dark.

Search Guides